Nine Final Professions and Thirteen Ordinations Draw Large Crowds in East Africa

The Mass of Final Profession in the Province of East Africa on Saturday, 17 January, was on a large scale, even by African standards. Around 2,500 priests, religious, and lay men and women joined in the celebration of nine Final Professions in a liturgy at Sacred Heart Parish, Arusha, in Tanzania, that joyfully lasted over four hours.

The Final Vows Mass was held in Tanzania this year as part of the Province of East Africa’s celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Holy Cross in the country. The Most Rev. Isaack Amani, Archbishop of Arusha, presided and preached.

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Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General, who was making a wider pastoral visit to the Province along with Br. Prodip Placid Gomes, C.S.C., Second General Assistant, received the vows of the nine religious, among whom were eight seminarians and one brother: Mr. Victor Akampa, C.S.C., Br. Francis Asaba, C.S.C., Mr. Tayebwa Deus, C.S.C., Mr. Enock Gabiro, C.S.C., Mr. Noah Bajuta Kilian, C.S.C., Mr. Issack Daniel Makere, C.S.C., Mr. Noah Masika, C.S.C., Mr. Philbert Mugabe, C.S.C., and Mr. Richard Birungi Sekasanke, C.S.C.

If that celebration was not large and joyful enough, the Ordination Mass on the following day, Sunday, 18 January, was even bigger with over 4,250 people attending the liturgy, which went for over six hours.

The eight seminarians who had professed their Final Vows the day before were ordained deacons. Along with them, the Province’s five transitional deacons were ordained to the priesthood: Fr. Francis Amukasa, C.S.C., Fr. Deusi Bwambale, C.S.C., Fr. Joseph Isingoma, C.S.C., Fr. Ronald Katongole, C.S.C., and Fr. Edson Mwoleka, C.S.C. They were all ordained by the Most Rev. Prosper Baltazar Lyimo, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Arusha.

As to be expected, the celebration could not be contained in the church building, but spilled over after the liturgies into equally festive receptions and meals, complete with much music and dancing in true African style.

Br. Francis Asaba, C.S.C., hails from Kyarusozi, Uganda. He pronounced First Vows on 16 July 2021. Community has been one of the most transformative experiences for Francis. He writes, “Community is not just about living together but about building a brotherhood through dialogue, sacrifice, and mutual support.” Francis is a deeply spiritual person. For him, prayer is an “anchor and [a] source of renewal. ”Prayer is not a private exercise for him, but the wellspring of his compassion and zeal. Though Francis holds degrees in philosophy, education, and business, as well as a certificate in spirituality and religious formation, for him, “it’s not about degrees but rather the spirit and faith [I am] able to express and bring forth to [my] students.

Deacon Tayebwa Deus, C.S.C., hails from Kakumiro, Uganda. He pronounced First Vows on 16 July 2021. Tayebwa is a community-minded person who “collaborates and cooperates well with confreres.” He sees living of the vows as a call to live the virtues of simplicity, compassion, and stewardship. He has a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Tayebwa holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Queen of Apostles Centre in Jinja and another bachelor’s in sacred theology from Tangaza University. He sees himself serving in the education ministry to “form the hearts and minds of young people [and] to engage [the] youth in their lived realities.” He feels that Holy Cross “should remain faithful co-workers in God’s service, making him known, loved, and served.”

Deacon Gabiro Enock, C.S.C., is a native of Nkozi, Uganda. He took First Vows on 16 July 2021. Gabiro studied philosophy at the Queen of Apostles Philosophy Centre, Jinja, and theology at Tangaza University. In both institutions, he earned a bachelor’s degree. Gabiro is fluent in English, French, Kiswahili, and Luganda. He has worked in parish ministry, Holy Cross Family Ministries, and with the poor in the Kibera and Kinoo slums. He sees “active listening” as an integral part of ministry. Gabiro states, “I am especially drawn to the education ministry, particularly in international missions.” He asks the Family of Holy Cross for continued prayers and fraternal support, stressing that “together we follow and imitate Christ, our model and hope.”

Deacon Bajuta Paul Kilian, C.S.C., comes from Karatu, Tanzania. He professed First Vows on 16 July 2021. Ministry experiences at St. Joseph Hill Secondary School in Kyembogo and several Holy Cross parishes helped Bajuta to develop skills in listening, compassion, and adaptability. Prayer and spiritual direction have been central to Bajuta’s formation. He has a deep personal prayer life that includes meditation and Eucharistic Adoration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Queen of Apostles Philosophy Centre in Jinja and another in theology from Tangaza University. His interest is in parish ministry. His wish for Holy Cross is to “remain rooted in our charism and committed to bringing hope to a wounded world.”

Deacon Issack Daniel Makere, C.S.C., was born in Dodoma, Tanzania. He took First Vows on 16 July 2021. Besides the required Philosophy and Theology degrees, Issack holds a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying and a Master of Science in Construction Economics and Management from the University of Ardhi, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Issack feels that the theological studies instilled in him the zeal, motivations, and skills for pastoral ministry. He summarizes his understanding of the vows in three words: freedom, trust, and dedication. He has served in schools, youth ministry, parishes, healthcare, and Holy Cross Family Ministries. He wants to dedicate himself to “education, spiritual guidance, and community service, where compassionate presence can foster hope.”

Deacon Masika Amuse Noah, C.S.C., is from Busia, Kenya. He made First Vows on 16 July 2021. Masika has a great appreciation for personal meditation. He contends that prayer “serves as a road map for living religious life.” Masika embraced the spirituality of the cross in “total surrender to his will.” He has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Queen of Apostles Philosophy Centre in Jinja and another bachelor’s in sacred theology from Tangaza University. He worked with Holy Cross Family Ministries, assisted at Lake View Senior Secondary School, and served at St. Raphael Parish. He says, “Holy Cross should continue living as men with a heart of zeal, trusting in Divine Providence.” He wishes to do youth ministry and faith formation so he can “accompany young people who face today’s uncertainties.”

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Deacon Mugabe Philbert, C.S.C., comes from Fort Portal, Uganda. He professed First Vows on 16 July 2021. Mugabe had ministry experience at St. Felista Parish in Tanzania, worked with HIV/AIDS patients at an aids clinic in Virika, and assisted in prisons. Ministry taught Mugabe “to be authentic, to be who he is.” He has a bachelor’s degree from Queen of Apostles Centre in Jinja and a bachelor’s in sacred theology from Tangaza University. Mugabe feels called to social justice ministry and pastoral work among the poor, as these “embody Holy Cross’ call to bring hope to places of suffering and exclusion.”He says that Holy Cross should “embrace a realistic hope and a courageous presence at the borders of human need.”

Deacon Birungi Richard Sekasanke, C.S.C., is from Karuguuza, Uganda. He made First Vows on 16 July 2021. Through prayer, Richard has cultivated the virtues of humility, honesty, and reverence for God and others. Richard earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Queen of Apostles Philosophy Centre in Jinja and a theology degree from Tangaza University. He has a flair for languages. He speaks Runyoro, Rutooro, Swahili, and English. He experienced various ministries such as visiting families and homes, teaching in high schools, offering catechumen classes, visiting the sick, and being present to those suffering in prisons. In ministry, he feels motivated and inspired to be a sign of hope to others. He feels called to the education ministry where he can teach and form young people “in truth and faith.”

Deacon Akampa Musiime Victor, C.S.C., is a native of Mbarara in Uganda. He took First Vows on 16 July 2021. Akampa holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Queen of Apostles Philosophy Centre in Jinja and another bachelor’s in sacred theology from Tangaza University. Akampa has served at Lake View Senior Secondary School, ministered in St. Brendan Parish in Kitete, Tanzania, and worked in Buhinga Referral Hospital in Fort Portal, Uganda. Akampa speaks Rutoro, Luganda, Kiswahili, English, and Spanish. Akampa feels drawn to our education apostolate because “this is where I can accompany young people through their struggles and aspirations.” He says Holy Cross “should remain courageous and unwavering in its passion for the ministries entrusted to us.”

Likewise, the newly ordained priests have all received their first assignments. Fr. Deusi will serve at St. Jude Taddeo Parish, Kyarusozi, in Uganda; Fr. Joseph Isingoma, at St. Joseph’s Hill Secondary School, Kyembogo, in Uganda; Fr. Ronald at St. Felista Parish, Utegi, in Tanzania; and both Fr. Francis and Fr. Edson at St. Andre Bessette Parish, Koch Goma, in Uganda.