The Sunday Mail
IT was a colourful Sunday service attended by thousands of believers on June 5 as Reverend Father Aeron Kumusekere celebrated a special open air mass on the grounds of Uganda Martyrs Catholic Church in Mufakose, Harare.
The church was celebrating two major events on its calendar — the commemoration of the martyrdom of 22 Catholic converts to Christianity in the then Buganda (Uganda), from where the parish derives its name in the late 19th century. They are now known as the Uganda Martyrs.
The other major event was when the priest bestowed full membership to dozens of women and men in the guilds of their choice, that is, associations of their patron saints that included Mary Queen of Heaven (Maria Hosi Yedenga), St Anne (Anna Musande/Mbuya Anna), St Joseph (Josefa Musande — for men), and the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Moyo Musande waJesu).
The crowning moment was the choir competition that was held after the big Sunday mass. The feast in remembrance of the Uganda Martyrs is held every year, with some believers saying that their martyrdom Africanised the Catholic Church. According to thewordamongus.com, their martyrdom “is considered the spark that ignited the flame of Christianity in modern Africa. They are revered for their faith, their courage, and their counter cultural witness to Christ”.
Some of the outstanding martyrs are Andrew Kagwa, Charles Lwanga, Joseph Mukasa and Kizito. Mukasa who was burnt alive at the order of the king, before he met his death, told the executioner, “A Christian who gives his life for God has no reason to fear death”.
And, Lwanga is said to have stood his ground when he declared to his executioner, “You are burning me, but it is as if you are pouring water over my body.”
Reading about these heroes of faith is like going through an honour roll of men in the Bible who distinguished themselves in the face of adversity — men like Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego; and, Stephen in Acts of the Apostles.
Praying for this special occasion, Fr Aeron said, “Our God and Father, the Uganda Martyrs whom we are remembering today, chose to die for the sake of the gospel, instead of committing sin by rejecting you. Lord, hear us as we remember their commitment to you. May we, through your grace also choose to die for the sake of the gospel, instead of separating ourselves from you.”
Women and men’s guilds
Bestowment into various guilds/unions/associations was another major highlight at the Uganda Martyrs parish service. I will not go into technicalities about these guilds, save to say that these voluntary associations provide fellowship, education, encouragement, mutual support, service and witnessing of the word of God.
The members — men and women of varied age groups — also commit themselves to prayer, growth through the grace of the Lord Jesus. Attainment of full membership takes some time, and those bestowed have to undergo lessons on their role as guild members, in line with the qualities of their patron saints. One member (St Anne) said this year they wrote exams.
Guild members stand out wherever they are ministering because of their uniforms, thus the moment everyone was waiting for was when they were asked to put on their uniforms after the priestly blessing. After getting the go-ahead from the priest to put on their guild uniforms, it was all smiles. It looked like they had passed a major examination, and were ready to move into the next stage of their Christian walk. But there are also conditions set on how one should conduct himself or herself as a guild member.
As if he was announcing wedding banns, Fr Aeron said (in Shona): “Are we in agreement that the uniform that you are going to put on as a guild member, notwithstanding that you bought it yourself, your guild gives me the power to withdraw it from you, and to also stop you from wearing it, and not reimburse you?”
They all said, “Hongu Baba”.
After the other formalities, Fr Aeron also made this pledge, “In my capacity as Father Aeron, I welcome you as full time guild members. May the Lord continue to help you in your faith, so that you will also be able to witness His glory all the time.”
Towards the end, the priest blessed the new members, “Lord God, you called these your children to be members of the different guilds, and they heed your call. May the Holy Spirit dwell in them, and enable them to fulfil their mission in their various guilds. Increase their faith, expectations and love . . . Congratulations!”
I spoke to an older member of the St Anne’s guild, who preferred anonymity, and she said, “We are so excited today. Our guild made history today, because it has never had such a large number bestowed at the same time. Twenty women became guild members, and this was a first. Most of the time, it was two or three. When I was bestowed, I was the only one. This is because St Anne is more popular in Gweru and Masvingo dioceses.”
She also said guild membership signifies growth in one’s faith and walk with the Lord.
“We take that extra mile because we become more involved in church activities instead of just attending church services.”
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