Sixty years ago, on 18th October 1964, in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Pope Paul VI presided over the ceremony of the canonisation of the 22 Uganda Catholic Martyrs, making them the first African Saints of modern time. It happened in the presence of all the Cardinals, Patriarchs and Bishops who were participating in one of the sessions of the Second Vatican Council; as well as a good number of pilgrims some of whom had come from Uganda.
His Eminence TURKSON Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah, Prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
On 19th October 2024, in St. Peter’s Basilica a thanksgiving Mass was celebrated by the Papal special envoy, His Eminence TURKSON Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah, assisted by a number of Bishops and priests from Uganda and elsewhere. The Mass gathered a number of pilgrims from Uganda and elsewhere. Just as at canonisation, special choir had been prepared to sing at the Mass. Again, this celebration took place within the major Church event of the ongoing second Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality taking place in the Vatican.
Some Ugandan pilgrims at St. Peter’s
The Uganda Martyrs remain an extraordinary example of christian commitment and fidelity to our Lord Jesus, they are models of faith, of christian charity and of hope. They are witnesses of truth and of the Gospel. Their blood is the true seed of Christianity, especially, on the African continent. We know and recognize that other than the canonised 22 Catholic Martyrs, there were also 23 Anglicans who died for their faith in Jesus Christ. All of whom were condemned and executed in various notorious ways for their refusal to renounce their Christian faith, the Christian values or for openly refusing to be party to all that contradicted the Gospel values.
Some priests before the Celebration
Some Bishops, priests and Christians in St Peter’s Basilica
On the single day, 3rd June 1886, when most of Martyrs were executed by burning at Namugongo, in the same pyre died 12 Catholic and 13 Anglican Martyrs, while Charles Lwanga, a Catholic, who was identified as their leader was burnt alone at a separate place at Namugongo. They stand out, therefore, as outstanding witnesses of Christian communion to Christ our Lord, even many years before the Church openly spoke of Ecumenism. They did not ask for 2 different places of execution, but recognized each other as brothers and witnesses of the same Christ.
In Last June, on the occasion of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the canonization of the Martyrs of Uganda, more than 200 people participated in the General House of the White Fathers in Rome
In Last June, on the occasion of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the canonization of the Martyrs of Uganda, more than 200 people participated in the General House of the White Fathers in Rome. In addition to the conferences and exchanges, the Mass was presided by Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, our Brothers from Uganda of our Generalate – FF Vincent Ssekate, Joseph Zziwa and Mathias Senfuka – were present at the celebration in Rome.
Article collected from Brother Vincent Ssekate