Every year, in the Advent or Lenten season, many Christians organize many activities like pilgrimages, praying, the way of the cross, and so on… to help them prepare their hearts and souls for the Charismas or Easter. In our settlement of Uganda, we organize the pilgrimage of all Christians, who are South-Sudanese, living in Arua diocese, to pray for peace of the whole world, especially for peace in South Sudan.
In this year, from Wednesday to Saturday of the first week of the Advent season, we organized the pilgrimage of all Christians, leading to the Basilica, from five zones (Swinga, Abrimayo, Bidibidi, Yoyo, Arjwa),walking for about nine hours (approximately 54kms). Although we became tired, we felt very joyful and happy, because we prayed, adored, and celebrated mass together. On Thursday, father Andrzej (our community director) had some meeting with all catechists. Sister Josepha (SSPS member) examined some patients and gave them medicines. On Friday, Bishop Sabino who came from Arua diocese, celebrated the mass for us and many Christians in the Basilica. On Saturday morning, before the pilgrims went back to their homes, we prayed and blessed them and, gave them many their photos, rosaries, and statues. After the pilgrimage, we asked some Christians to tell us how was their pilgrimage. They answered that the pilgrimage was so good. They felt joyful and happy because they received many blessings from God and, from the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also received many helps and supports from SVD priests and SSPS sisters.”
In the Lenten season, on the Good Friday of the Holy Week, we organized the pilgrimage for all Christians. We, and the Christians, walked from some schools to some churches of all five zones (about 5Kms). Although the weather was so hot, they were zealously walking, praying, singing, and experiencing the passion of Jesus Christ. After arriving where we have planned, we celebrated the passion of Jesus Christ. On that day, we did not dance. We only reflected our missions and our lives through the passion of Jesus Christ.
Moreover, the Lenten season of this year, was organized in such a way that all childhoods pray with the way of the cross on every Friday of the Lenten season. On Friday of the third week of Lent, Sister Francisca (SSPS) picked up father Andrzej, sister Mariacel (SSPS), one Christian and father Andrew (SVD) to St. Bakhita church, to guide all children there, instructing them on how to pray with the way of the cross and to be able to understand the passion of Jesus Christ. After that we began to do the way of the cross with all the children. Although the weather was so hot in Uganda, they were eagerly walking to follow some priests and sisters, praying, and singing. Some of the children carried the cross, and others carried pictures of the stations of the cross. When we had finished the way of the cross, we went to St. Bakhita church and gave thanks to the Lord our God. We also received final blessings from Father Andrew. We, and the children, became tired but we saw the smiles in their faces, and we felt that they were joyful.
Throughout the whole pilgrimage, we not only helped all Christians to pray and experience the love and mercy of God but also introduced the activities of the catholic church to all people who lived around. We realized that, whenever we organized the pilgrimage to all Christians in every year, some people on the road, either Catholics or protestants or Muslims, greeted us and gave us some water. When we did the way of the cross with all our children at St. Bakhita church, some people saw us, stopped for some minutes and prayed with us.
Finally, we thank you our father General Superior, all SVD confreres, and all benefactors and benefactresses. You always pray and support us in so many ways. We too remember and pray for you in our prayers.
