Lugazi diocese gets five candidates for diaconal ordination

RELIGION

Today five major seminarians affiliated to the Roman Catholic diocese of Lugazi have presented themselves as serious candidates for diaconal ordination.

They were received and blessed by the Bishop of Lugazi, the Rt Rev Christopher Kakooza, during the Chrism mass at Queen of Peace Cathedral, Lugazi on Tuesday.

They include Rev Tom Gafaranga (Namagunga parish, Ggaba National Seminary), Deogratias Mugambe (Kitimbwa parish, Ggaba National Seminary), Emmanuel Kasajja (Lugazi parish, (Kinyamasika National Major Seminary), Antony Kizito (Nyenga parish, Kinyamasika National Major Seminary) and Joseph Wamala (Kiwanga parish, St Mbaaga's Major Seminary).

The five major seminarians who presented themselves as serious candidates praying during mass. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

If all things go well, by the grace of God, the five candidates will be ordained as deacons on July 13 2019.

Delivering his homily during the function, Bishop Kakooza thanked the parents and benefactors of the serious candidates for giving them moral and material support. He later encouraged the candidates to be fully focused to their vocation as they also pray for God's will to be fulfilled.

Bishop Kakooza announced the creation of a new parish, Kkoome (Islands) Catholic parish, which has brought to 28 the number of parishes in the diocese. Kakooza also introduced Fr Ponsiano Musoke, a missionary priest of the congregation of the Servants of Mary as the pioneer parish-priest of the newly created (island) parish.

Chrism Mass

The Chrism mass that was celebrated at Lugazi is an important liturgy in the Catholic tradition. 

It is celebrated during the Holy Week, to commemorate the institution of the Catholic Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Ordination by Jesus Christ. It is thus an important day for the Catholic priests, who celebrate it with enormous reverence, together with their respective bishops at the diocese. 

Priests during the blessing of sacred Chrism at Lugazi Cathedral on Tuesday. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

One important ritual of the Chrism mass is the solemn blessing of the sacramental oils by the Bishop.

The oils, which Bishop Kakooza also blessed during the Chrism mass at Lugazi include the oil of the catechumen, the oil of the sick and sacred Chrism (olive oil that is also mixed with balsam).

Holy Chrism is used during the celebration of sacraments: Confirmation, baptism and ordination. Chrism is also used during the consecration of Churches.

The function at Lugazi was attended by hundreds of lay-Catholics, priests and religious men and women.