A large gathering of over 5,000 people joined the Congregation of Holy Cross’s Province of East Africa to celebrate with grand festivity six priestly ordinations on Saturday, July 27. The six newly ordained priests are Fr. Ahimbisibwe Herimence, C.S.C., Fr. Ahuniriza Innocent. C.S.C., Fr. Kule Martin, C.S.C., Fr. Alinaitwe Douglas, C.S.C., Fr. Balikuddembe Vincent, C.S.C., and Fr. Isabirye Emmanuel, C.S.C.

All six of the newly ordained had made their Final Profession of Religious Vows on August 30, 2023, at St. Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga in Kampala, Uganda. The following day in the same cathedral they were ordained deacons by the Most Rev. Paul Ssemwogerere, Archbishop of Kampala.

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The Mass of Ordination took place at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Kyarusozi, Kyenjojo District, in Uganda. Fr. Peter Caxton Mayanja, C.S.C., Superior, presented the candidates for Ordination to the Most Rev. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Portal, who presided at the Mass. The bishop has a deep connection with the Holy Cross, having been taught by the brothers in his youth and being a graduate of the University of Notre Dame in the United States.

Joining the family members, friends, and Holy Cross Priests, Brothers, and Sisters at the Mass were many parishioners from the Congregation’s parishes who traveled long distances, some for more than a day, to witness the Ordinations.

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There was also a large contingent, including many students, from St. Joseph’s Hill Secondary School S.S within St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Kyarusozi, Uganda. They came to accompany with great pride Fr. Herimence, who is the first native son of the parish and the first graduate of the school to be ordained a priest.

Following the Mass, a celebratory lunch was served to all the over 5,000 people gathered, which thus brought to mind both the numbers of the Spirit of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the hungry crowds in the gospels. The celebration continued with the cutting of the cake, the presentation of gifts, and lively music and dancing that extended well into the evening. The festive atmosphere was a testament to the strong sense of community and support within the Holy Cross Family and the local faithful.