Five Men Make Their First Profession of Vows at Saaka Novitiate.

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, five novices made their First Profession of Vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross. The newly professed are Mr. Valence S. Mboya, C.S.C., Mr. David Arika, C.S.C., Mr. Denis Ariko, C.S.C., Br. Charles Ndungu, C.S.C., and Mr. Felix Peter Musakubawo, 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. Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Lawrence Mwenya, C.S.C., who encouraged the newly professed to remain faithful to their calling and to live the Holy Cross charism with dedication, humility, and hope.

Reflecting on the day’s readings, Fr. Mwenya invited the men, at the beginning of religious profession, to allow God to touch their mouths daily as they deny themselves in order to follow Christ while carrying their cross. He drew a parallel to the first reading’s account of the call of Jeremiah, a man born into a priestly family who received his call while still young and, like many young men, hesitated before accepting his call to be a prophet to the nations.

The celebration was attended by Fr. Peter Qorro, C.S.C., Vocations Director; Fr. Benedict Mugisha, C.S.C., Assistant Novice Director; Fr. Francis Mukasa, C.S.C.; Fr. Vincent Balikudembe, C.S.C.; Fr. Gabriel Lulu, C.S.C.; and Fr. Timothy Macharia, C.S.C. Also present were Holy Cross Sisters, lay collaborators, and the Brothers of St. Joseph the Worker, who jointly animated the Mass with DST, and Holy Cross Novices to be. Together, they joined in witnessing these five brothers take their first vows.

In the days leading up to the First Profession, Fr. Peter Qorro, C.S.C., directed the novices’ pre-profession retreat, whose theme was commitment and responsibility.

Following Mass, the celebration continued with a lunch on the beautiful grounds of the Novitiate, situated on Lake Saaka at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. The festivities stretched into an evening social attended by Holy Cross religious and guests.

After a brief time visiting family, all five newly professed will proceed to McCauley Formation House in Nairobi to continue their formation and to study theology at Tangaza University. 

The Congregation of Holy Cross, Province of East Africa, rejoices with these young men and their families, and asks the faithful to keep them in prayer as they continue to discern and grow in their vocations.