On Wednesday, July 16, in the Province of East Africa, five novices from the Novitiate made their First Profession of Vows. The newly professed are Mr. Richard Joel Laizer, C.S.C., Mr. Magezi Eric, C.S.C., Mr. Musani Benedict, C.S.C., Mr. Ojok Allan, C.S.C., and Mr. Denis Edward Sungu, C.S.C.
Their first vows were received by Br. Cleophas Kyomuhendo, C.S.C., Assistant Provincial of the Congregation of Holy Cross Province of East Africa, and Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Lawrence Mwenya, C.S.C, Fr. Peter Qorro, C.S.C., the Vocations Director, and Fr. Mugisha, the Assistant Novice Master, was present.
Br. John Flood, C.S.C., and Fr. Lulu Gabriel, C.S.C., witnessing Richard Joel Laizer, C.S.C., taking his vows.
In the days leading up to the First Professions, Fr. Lulu Gabriel, C.S.C had also directed the novices’ pre-profession retreat during which he emphasized that each one has his own special God-given “Light” to offer as a religious in Holy Cross.
The celebration continued after Mass with a delicious lunch on the beautiful grounds of the Novitiate, located on Lake Saaka at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. The lunch stretched into the evening social with Holy Cross Religious present and invited guests.
The newly professed with the Vocations Director, Fr. Peter Qorro, C.S.C., and the main celebrant, Fr. Lawrence Mwenya, C.S.C.
After a brief time visiting family, all three newly professed will proceed to McCauley Formation House in Nairobi to continue their formation and to study theology at Tangaza College. Taking their place at the Novitiate is a class of 5 novices. They will be officially received into the Novitiate on July 22, 2025, in a liturgy presided by Fr. Ben Mugisha C.S.C.
The newly professed members cutting a celebratory cake with the main celebrant and other religious.
In the same story, there are seven young men across East Africa that have officially started their candidacy program at Andre House of Formation Jinja. These Men are Mr. Walusimba Joseph, from Bukalagi Parish, Mityana Diocese – Uganda, Mr. Simon Waira Peter, From Buchunya Parish, Archdiocese of Tororo, Mr. Michael Malilo, Mpanda Diocese Tanzania, Mr. Alvinus Mkombozi, Bukoba Diocese Tanzania, Mr. Joram Nzai Kakamega Diocese – Kenya, Mr. Januaris Mutunga, Wote Diocese – Kenya and Mr. Meshack Cheruyot, Catholic Diocese of Eldoret.
Last modified: July 19, 2025
