Martyrs Day prayers at Namugongo

1: 13 GMT: Mass comes to an end with a final blessing of the congregation by Bishop Joseph Franzelli, the main celebrant.

12: 47 GMT: Christians line up for Holy communion (Eucharist). Several politicians have attendance prayers at the Catholic Shrine. Lira Municipality MP James Akena, former Uganda ambassador to the United Nations, Prof. Ssemakula Kiwanuka, former DP president Kawanga Semogerere, Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, Lubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi, are in attendance.

12: 14 GMT: Pilgrims deliver offertory to the clergy.

11: 14 GMT:The bishop says, society is full of corruption, dishonesty, immorality, violence, injustice, discrimination, abuse of power, trampling on the the rights of the poor, and margnalised people. But it seems that the best thing we can do is to .... keep quiet. As if nothing ever happened, as if we had not seen it, as if this did not concern us. As if it were ''none of our business," at least as long as it does not affect us personally.

Bishop Franzelli's homily

Dear Pilgrims,

Welcome to Namugongo! Together with and on behalf of all the Catholics of Lira Diocese, I warmly welcome you to this sacred place which has become a home to all the Christians of Uganda and far beyond. Every year thousands of pilgrims gather here on the 3rd of June. What is so special about this place?

We all know it. This is where a group of people, some of them quite young, stood firm in their faith, ready to die for Christ. We call them “martyrs”, a word coming from the Greek language and meaning “witness”. Indeed, Carlo Lwanga, Kizito and their companions proved to be true witnesses of Jesus, who gave His life for us. Like Peter and the first apostles and disciples, they also died for Him.

As we gather to give thanks to God for the gift of these holy witnesses and heroes of our faith, we ask for their help and protection. At the same time, we cannot avoid recalling that the words of Jesus, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts: 1, 8) were meant not only for the first disciples but they are addressed to each one of us. Witnessing to Christ is the mission of the Church, the task and work of all the Christians. Hence the question, for our own examination of conscience: “Am I a true witness of Christ?”

In front of God and looking at our martyrs, let us be honest. We may be wearing a cross or a rosary on our chest. We consider it a clear sign and witness that we are Christians, Catholics. But what is the actual message and witness that our way of life gives to those around us, in our families, our places of work, schools, offices, districts, up to the Parliament? Our life speaks louder than the religious objects we wear. I am afraid that sometimes too many of us choose to be “silent witnesses”.

We see corruption, dishonesty, immorality, violence, injustice, discrimination, abuse of power, trampling on the rights of the poor and marginalized members of our society but it seems that the best thing we can do is to…. keep quiet. As if nothing ever happened, as if we had not seen it, or as if this did not concern us. As if it were “none of our business”, at least as long as it does not affect us personally. Sometimes, unfortunately, we even join in, following the trend, doing what everybody else does and becoming accomplices of the evil being done.

The reasons for this “choice of silence” are many and, again, we all know them. They go from the fear to become unpopular, of meeting with unfavourable reactions, of being singled out as the only ones who refuse what is commonly accepted and sometimes even supported by people in power, to the desire of not losing the easy money, the immediate pleasure or the material, social and political advantages which may come out of it. In other words, we are not ready to pay the price of standing witness for what is right and good, renouncing and denouncing what is evil. This is then one of the reasons we are gathered here today.

To ask the Uganda Martyrs to intercede for us the gift of their same courage, perseverance and faith, so that we may be on our turn true witnesses of Christ today.

Jesus mandated His disciples to be His witnesses and spread the Good News in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and indeed throughout the world.For us, this means Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, whatever country and region we come from and live in. There are two places where the theme of this year pilgrimage calls us in a special way to be “witnesses”: our family and the society we live in.

Today, family life and the very vision and nature of the family according to God’s plan are undermined and threatened in many ways, from the open lack of love and fidelity of many couples, the excessive monetization of the marriage contract, the persistent phenomenon of domestic violence, to polygamy, divorce, cohabitation and same sex unions.

Who is there to teach our youth, remind our married couples and witness to the sacred character and inviolability of the family, its beauty in the project of God? Through the intercession of the Uganda Martyrs, we definitely need to pray as Pope Francis invites us to do, so that our families may become “places of communion and cenacles of prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and little domestic churches” (Prayer for the forthcoming Synod).

Being witnesses of Christ in our families is definitely a priority, but it does not exhaust our task. The “domestic church” of our home must open up, bringing our witness of Christ in the society. Touching and changing the life of our people, inspiring and transforming our relationships, influencing the social, economic and political life of our country. We are called to make of our nation a big and real “family”, where all its citizens are equally respected and cared for, without any discrimination based on religion, ethnic group, political allegiance or social class.

Where everybody contributes to the common good, and priority is given to the poor, the weak, the children, the marginalized.

In the spirit of mutual help and solidarity witnessed by the Uganda Martyrs during their trial and martyrdom.
We have come to Namugongo as pilgrims, but our journey does not end here.It continues and goes on in our daily life, back home, in our schools and offices, in our countries.

Looking at the Martyrs, today we draw inspiration, courage, a renewed faith and commitment for tomorrow, for every day and step of the journey which eventually will lead us to our real and lasting home, where the Uganda Martyrs wait for us.

Once again, dear brothers and sisters, Welcome to Namugongo, and a happy and fruitful return home, continuing our journey and mission to be witnesses of Christ in the family and in the society. And may the Uganda Martyrs accompany and support us with their intercession.

Joseph Franzelli MCCJ

Bishop of Lira Dioces

11:06 GMT: Bishop Joseph Franzelli says the message of Jesus today is that blessed are the poor, the peace maker, those who are persecuted.

10: 44 GMT: A selected team of Christians proceed to the alter carrying the Bible (word of God).

10: 35 GMT: Mass starts. The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Joseph Franzelli is the main celebrant. Hundreds of pilgrims are braving sunshine as they pray.

10: 18 GMT: He says government has emphasised infrastructure development like roads and railway to ensure genuine development in the country. The road to Namugongo from Kireka, Jinja Road, according to Mr Museveni , will be re-developed. He says it will attract more businesses and create jobs. He says because of peace in all parts of the country, pilgrims have been able to walk day and night to Namugongo without any any insecurity incident.

10: 16 GMT: Museveni says it's unchristian to be poor.

10:11 GMT: President Museveni addresses the congregation. Unlike past celebrations, the President is delivering his message before the Mass because he has other State duties to attend to. Public or private vehicles, including taxis are not allowed near the shrine.

10: 06 GMT: Bishop John Baptist Odama addresses the congregation. Pilgrims have come from different parts of the world like USA, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Rwanda, Nigeria, Sothern Sudan, Tanzania, among others. Odama says the whole world is at Namugongo.

10: 03 GMT: Congregation sings the National Anthem. Officials estimate that over 2 million pilgrims are attending the celebrations compared to about 1.5 pilgrims who attended last year

10:01 GMT: Pilgrims from Lira archdiocese are leading this year's prayers and celebrations. They are the main celebrants.

9: 58 GMT: President Museveni arrives. He is received by the chairman of the Episcopal Conference John Baptist Odama and Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. Mass has been delayed.

9:50 GMT: A Procession by Catholic bishops has made its way to the alter. Meditation starts as Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda arrives.

As part of security, police is using this sky camera to monitor Namugongo shrine and places surrounding it.