The Congregation of Holy Cross Province of East Africa recently celebrated a joyful milestone as two of its members marked 25 years of dedicated service in religious life and priestly ministry. The Silver Jubilee honored **Br. John Bailanda, C.S.C., and **Fr. Willy Lukati, C.S.C., whose vocations continue to inspire the Holy Cross family and the wider Church.
For Br. John Bailanda, C.S.C., the celebration marked 25 years of religious life. During the jubilee, he prayerfully renewed his commitment to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the foundation of consecrated life in the Church. His rededication reflected a life of faithful service, community, and devotion to the mission of Holy Cross.
At the same time, Fr. Willy Lukati, C.S.C., commemorated 25 years of priestly ministry, offering heartfelt gratitude to God for the journey that has shaped his vocation. His years of service have been marked by pastoral dedication, spiritual leadership, and a commitment to the mission of the Church and the Congregation of Holy Cross.
The jubilee celebrations were highlighted by a Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Fr. Willy Lukati, C.S.C. The liturgy was co-celebrated by the Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. Peter Caxton Mayanja, C.S.C., together with fellow Holy Cross priests and religious.
The celebration took place at the André House of Formation in Jinja, creating a fitting setting for reflection and gratitude within the Holy Cross formation community. The occasion was further enriched by the presence of **Patrick Neary, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud in Minnesota, United States, who joined the community in celebrating this meaningful milestone.
The Silver Jubilee offered a moment for the Holy Cross family to give thanks for the gift of vocation, witness, and service that both Br. John Bailanda and Fr. Willy Lukati have shared over the past quarter-century. Their lives stand as a testimony to the enduring call to serve God’s people with humility, faith, and dedication.
As the Congregation celebrates this milestone, the community prays that the Lord who began this good work in them will continue to guide and strengthen them in the years ahead, bringing their mission of service ever closer to fulfillment.
