Thirty-five begin lives of Ordination to priesthood

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KAMPALA - The crowds filling the pews and aisles of Lubaga Cathedral shared similar feelings of gratitude and thanksgiving as Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere ordained 13 new priests and 23 deacons.

The celebration started with the procession of candidates to be ordained deacons and priests from the priests' compound accompanied by their parents and other priests into the Cathedral.

The Cathedral was filled with family, friends, and parishioners from around the Archdiocese who gathered to witness the joyful occasion and to pray for the youthful dedicated young men in church robes.

Archbishop of Kampala Paul Ssemogerere ordains deacons to priests at Lubaga Cathedral on Saturday, August 10, 2024. (Credit: Juliet Anna Lukwago)

The excitement and joy of the candidates (priests and Deacons) overflowed also from the hearts of their friends and family, dozens of priests and religious who serve in the archdiocese and Catholics from across who filled the cathedral for the ordination Mass.

Archbishop Ssemogerere was assisted by Monsignors,  Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, Vicar Generals, Monsignors and several co-celebrant priests.

Archbishop Ssemogerere

Archbishop Ssemogerere urged the newly ordained priests to be true servants of God.
He encouraged them to be men of deep prayer, disciplined, and to give the Father everything they have, following the example of Jesus Himself.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere in a procession to the Cathedral to ordain 13 Deacons to Priesthood and 23 Seminarians to Diaconate on August 10, 2024. (Credit: Juliet Ann Lukwago)

He asked the newly ordained to embrace a simple lifestyle in a world often dominated by challenges and greed for wealth.

As part of the ordination rituals, the newly priests after making vows to confirm their service in the Catholic Church,  knelt in front of Archbishop Ssemogerere for the laying on of hands.

The newly ordained priests were then presented with Bibles and had their stoles adjusted, while the newly ordained deacons were given copies of the New Testament and had stoles placed upon them.

Deacons and Seminarians lay down as a sign of respect before being ordained on Saturday August 10, 2024. (Credit: Juliet Ann Lukwago)

They were then given prolonged and well-deserved standing ovations as they were officially welcomed into their new roles.

Deacons ordained

The Deacons ordained were;

• Marvin Lukyamuzi from St Padre-Pio Parish Kabulamuliro
• Victor Ssemwogerere from St Pius Parish Masajja
• Joseph Kiwuuwa from Nabbingo Parish
• Edward Ssonko from Kisubi Parish
• Henry Kalanzi from Kankobe Parish
• Denis Ssennyondo from Kyengera Parish
• John Baptist Matovu from Naddangira Parish
• Edward Kironde from Jinja-Kalooli Parish (Missionary of Order of Friars Minor Conventual)
• Paul Mutaasa from Jinja-Kalooli Parish (Missionary of Order of Friars Minor Conventual)
• Augustine Kaddu from Matugga Parish (Missionary of Order of Friars Minor Conventual)
• Yowasi Tumusiime from Fort-Portal (Missionary of Consolata)
• Godwin Cekecan from Pakwach (Nebbi) (Missionary of Salesians of Don Bosco) and
• Pius Kayanja from Matale Parish in Masaka (Missionary of Salesians of Don Bosco).
  
  

  Some of the priests during the Mass at Lubaga Cathedral. (Credit: Juliet Anna Lukwago)

  
  
  

The 23 seminarians ordained Deacons are;

• Joseph Balikuddembe Yiga from Kireka Parish
• Raymond Balikuddembe from Nsambya Parish
• Jude Thaddeus Buwule from Kisubi Parish
• James Kagawa from Bunnamwaya Parish
• Francis Kasajja from Mitala-Maria Parish
• Fredrick Kikomeko from Nansana Parish
• Reagan Daniel Kisitu from Bwaise Parish
• Davis Luggya Mirembe from Naddangira Parish
• Augustine Lwanga from Mitala-Maria Parish
• Benard Mukiibi from Kyengera Parish
• Nicholas Mukwaya from Kankobe Parish
• Victor Anthony Nganzi from Nabbingo Parish
• Maxmillian Ntambi from Wakiso Parish
• Arnold Ochang from Buyege Parish
• John Paul, Onyango from Entebbe-Bugonga Parish
• Raymond Ssegawa from Mwererwe Parish
• Vincent Ssemwanga from Gayaza Parish
• John Ssendegeya from Nansana Parish
• Cleophas Ssentamu from Bwaise Parish
• Tom Vincent Yiga from Naddangira Parish
• Lawrence Luzinda Lwanga from Ggoli Parish
• Ronnie Kibagajjo from Jinja-Kalooli Parish (Missionary of Order of Friar Minor Conventual) and 
• Desiderio Nowelo from Mozambique IMC (Missionary of Consolata).