Born in the humble village of Kyakaheeru in Masindi District, Uganda, Isingoma Joseph, C.S.C. grew up in a faith-filled household under the watchful guidance of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Isingoma. The fourth of seven children—all born without the aid of a hospital—Joseph was raised in simplicity, where God was the center of family life and prayer was non-negotiable.
His earliest sense of vocation sparked in childhood, drawn by the mystery and reverence of the priesthood. A pivotal image stayed with him: the golden chalice used by the priest during Holy Communion, a sacred cup from which only the priest could drink.
“I wanted to become a priest so that I too could drink from that golden cup,” he recalls with a smile.
As with many vocations, the path wasn’t always straight. While attending secondary school, Joseph found himself questioning his call, torn between the priesthood and the allure of married life. At one point, he viewed the priesthood more as a job than a divine calling. But God wasn’t done with him yet. After completing Senior Six, a providential encounter changed everything. His brother, a diocesan seminarian, introduced him to the Congregation of Holy Cross via a vocational brochure he had picked up in Fort Portal.
Joseph attended a “Come and See” seminar in 2015 and joined the formation program in 2016. It was a moment of grace that transformed his life.
Coming from a diocesan background, Joseph had little knowledge of religious life. The idea of poverty, chastity, and obedience was entirely new. Yet, through patient and prayerful formation, he not only grew into these vows but embraced them as a lifelong commitment. His initial days in formation were marked by struggle: unfamiliar liturgical prayers, English-language Masses, and complex philosophical studies at PCJ. But through God’s grace—and with the support of Holy Cross formators and mentors—Joseph persevered.
His novitiate year in Fort Portal was especially transformative.
“It was a year when I underwent a serious journey from the mind to the heart,” he reflects.
This deepened relationship with God culminated in his First Vows on July 16, 2020.
Joseph likens the time between his first and final vows to a courtship—a sacred period of discernment and deep listening to God’s will. Now, after years of renewal and prayer, he is ready to make his Final Vows in 2025 and step into ordained ministry with a grateful and trusting heart.
“The formation program has been a profound experience of God’s grace,” Joseph says. “I have not walked this journey alone. Many have prayed for me—some I know, many I don’t. Their prayers have carried me.”
With clarity and commitment, Isingoma Joseph, C.S.C., prepares to offer his life in service to God and the Church. He knows that the journey ahead will come with hills and valleys, but he walks it in confidence—guided by the Cross and God’s unending grace.
Congregation of Holy Cross, Province of East Africa
Isingoma Joseph, C.S.C
Last modified: April 11, 2025
