Ugandans make pilgrimage to Rome

By Juliet Lukwago

Twenty Ugandans have left for Italy’s capital Rome on a pilgrimage to different historical sites including the Sistine Chapel, where the Pope is elected, and the Padre Pio shrine at San Giovanni, Rotondo.

The team will pay homage to the shrine of St Francis of Assisi, Saint Claire and St Catherine of Siena, the patron of Italy and a doctor of the church, the white-country and St Anthony of Padua.

Among other places they will visit include St Peter’s Basilica, St Paul, outside the walls, St Mary’s and St John’s Lateran.

They will go to southern Italy, where they will tour the Eucharistic miracle that happened in Lanciano during the 8th Century A.D in the little church of St Legontian. This was a divine response to a Basilian monk's doubt about Jesus' real presence in the Eucharist.

According to Florence Nakiwala, the in-charge of the Martyrs Tourism, the entourage was led by the Chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr Dr Joseph Mary Ssebunnya.

The pilgrims came from different business companies and Catholic communities in the Archdiocese.

Fr Ssebunnya told New Vision that his entourage will first visit St Peter Square in Vatican City, mainly the Pope’s audience St Peter Square, before they can visit several other places while in Rome including the ones where different saints were buried.