HAPPY 144th BIRTHDAY TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH/FAITH IN UGANDA
Today 17th February 2023 in Uganda, the Catholic Church is celebrating 144 years since 1897 when the first Catholic Missionaries Fr. Simon Lourdel (commonly known as Mapeera) and Br. Amans landed and made their first step in Uganda on the shores of lake Victoria at Kigunggu in Entebbe. These two young men who came from France began the work of Catholic evangelisation in Uganda and within a few years Uganda got several Martyrs whose blood and faithful witness to the gospel message of Christ became the seed of the Catholic faith which we still cherish today. Therefore, referring to 17th February as the birthday of the catholic Church/Faith in Uganda wouldn’t be a mistake greatest.
Fr. Simon Mapeera was only 25 years old by the time he came to Uganda but the seed of faith he planted still germinates today. We have numerous men and women of great faith. We are grateful to God and to France for the gift of these two missionaries who lit Christ in Uganda. Uganda too is currently sharing the gift of missionaries to other parts of the world.
Currently, the Catholic Church in Uganda trains and sends out young missionaries (men and women) to kindle the message of Christ and faith to the rest of the world. I am one of those missionaries who are sent out today to be Jesus Christ’s witness to the mission world. I am currently serving as a missionary in Puerto Rico. Keep me and all other missionaries in your daily prayers.