A Journey of Faith: Embracing Religious Life with the Congregation of Holy Cross

My desire to serve God began at a young age. Growing up, it was mandatory for all children in my home to attend Mass every Sunday. For me, however, going to Mass was often just an opportunity to play with friends. That changed after I received my First Holy Communion and was allowed to become an altar server. I started to admire the priests and seminarians who served during Mass, especially during the consecration. I was particularly engrossed by the way several priests would chant the Doxology. I even memorized these concluding words of the Eucharistic prayer and would imitate the priest’s actions during Mass at home with other children, sharing ugali as the Body of Christ.

As I grew older, my initial aspiration to serve God as a priest began to fade. During my preparations for the Form Four National Exams, I began attending church regularly, especially on Thursdays for Benediction. It was during this time that my desire for the priesthood was rekindled. My main intention was to pray for success in my exams; however, when I met my parish priest, Fr. James Mweyunge, his wisdom and profound reflections on the Church and the priesthood captured my attention. He inspired me to reconsider my vocation. Later, in high school, as the Chairperson of TYCS, I became more involved in the Church. Under the guidance of Fr. Robert Luvakubandi, the parish priest of Musoma Cathedral, I gained more confidence in my calling. He introduced me to the Congregation of Holy Cross through Fr. Luke Muhindo and Fr. Constantine Changwe.

After high school, I entered National Service, where I faced a difficult decision: whether to join religious life, the military, or pursue a university degree. Although I can’t recall the exact moment or reason I chose to embrace religious life by joining the Congregation of Holy Cross, I am forever grateful to the Holy Spirit for providing me with the strength and inspiration to follow Jesus Christ, my Lord, and to embrace self-giving love as my life’s mission. Embracing religious life has been an immense grace, and my perseverance to this day is one of the greatest gifts God has given me.

The day I was admitted to join the Congregation of Holy Cross as a postulant in 2016 was one of immense joy. Of course, the beginning was challenging. It was my first time in Uganda, and I was the only person from Tanzania in my class, which required significant adaptation. Thankfully, the formation program encouraged me to be open and willing to embrace growth. With the support of prayer and guidance from many individuals, especially those within Holy Cross, I began to build a foundation for my vocation. My admission to the Novitiate opened a new chapter in my life, allowing me to deepen my understanding of my vocation and my motivations for religious life in the Congregation of Holy Cross.

Despite the challenges I faced, the Novitiate period brought clarity and confidence to my vocation. The day I made my first vows in 2020 was another moment of pure grace in my life.

The years following my first profession of vows were challenging but deeply fulfilling. Each day, I discovered a deeper meaning in my relationship with God, a stronger sense of belonging within the community, and a renewed zeal to serve God in the Church. The more I experienced God’s love, the more I felt compelled to reach out to others in charity. I came to see my vocation not only as a call leading me to Christ but also as a way to bring Christ closer to me.

My formation journey has been a long process of discernment and transformation. I have faced moments of doubt, difficulties, and discouragement, but despite these, I have experienced divine providence, joy, and fulfillment throughout. God’s grace has been sufficient for me, especially during this significant year of my life, 2025, when I make my final commitment. It is not due to any merit of my own or because I am worthy of this call; rather, it pleased God to make me one of His chosen ones. God has disregarded my weaknesses and fortified me with His grace, for which I am deeply grateful. In my own strength, I am fragile, vulnerable, and weak, but through God’s transforming grace, I have become who He has made me today.

I have come to realize that, regardless of what else I pursue in my life, responding to God’s call transcends everything I undertake. It is the greatest purpose of my vocation and, without a doubt, the greatest purpose of my life. I thank the Congregation of Holy Cross and everyone who has accompanied me to this day.

Edson Mwoleka CSC