Tears of joy as Kisubi Brothers take religious vows

By Mathias Mazinga

WAKISO - “The greatest pleasure one can ever get is to do something which many people think you cannot do,” were the words of Rev. Bro. Godfrey Lutaaya on Friday.

He is one of the three members of the Catholic religious institute of the Brothers of Christian Instruction who marked 25 years in religious life.

This was during a colourful function that took place in the Catholic Chapel of St. Mary’s College, Kisubi (SMACK) in Wakiso district.

Lutaaya spoke of their journey: “On December 31, 1989, thirteen [13] of us joined the formation house of the Catholic Brothers of Christian Instruction here at Mount St. Theresa, Kisubi, aspiring to become religious Brothers. In just a couple of weeks, our seven colleagues opted out. We thus remained six.

“What a shock! But even after taking our first vows, two of us left the congregation. So, we remained only four. Unfortunately, our other colleague died in a motor accident last year, which is why we are now three Brothers who are here before you to mark 25 years in religious life.”
 

The Brothers who celebrated 25 years in religious life. (Photo credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Tears of joy flowed down the cheeks of Christians as Lutaaya further praised Bro. Vincent Barigye – his former novice-master and formator – who he said handled them with parental love, never scolding anyone of them, regardless of their imperfectness.

Lutaaya marked his silver jubilee together with Bro Andrew Lubega and Bro. Sylvester Kagaba.

But there were also three other Brothers, Rev. Christopher Mukwire, Rev. Edward Irumba and Rev. Stephen Nampulira who took their perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

The perpetual vows the Brothers took gave them the privilege to be life members of the congregation, but also committed them to remain unmarried, to not own anything as individuals and also, to be obedient to their superiors – for the rest of their life.

The function was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, His Excellency Archbishop Michael Blume, who asked the Brothers to be joyful in their religious service.
 

Archbishop Blume signs the documents of one of the Brothers. Right is Bro, Gerald Mwebe, the Provincial Superior of the Brothers. (Photo credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Blume also asked the Brothers to read the biographies of the Catholic saints in order to be inspired and strengthened in their religious commitment.

The ever witty Provincial Superior of the Brothers, Bro. Gerald Mwebe, asked the Brothers to strengthen their commitment to the poor, the oppressed and the enslaved.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Lwanga commended the Brothers of Christian Instruction for their dynamic education ministry, which he said, had contributed enormously to the country’s development.

The function was also attended by Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala and several priests from the various Catholic dioceses of Uganda.

Archbishop Blume prays for the Brothers who took their final vows

The Brothers who cut cake with the the Papal Nuncio, Bro. Mwebe abd Archbishop Lwanga