Clare
The Pastoral Coordinator of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Gerald Akugizibwe Amooti, has urged pilgrims visiting the Cathedral to move beyond mere tourism and focus on deep, prayerful encounters with God during their pilgrimages.
He made the remarks yesterday while addressing a group from St. Jude’s CSC Parish, Kyarusozi, who made a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Snows Virika Cathedral in response to Pope Francis’ call for the faithful to visit holy sites during the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Fr. Akugizibwe encouraged the pilgrims to carry messages of hope from their pilgrimage back to their homes, workplaces, and communities, emphasizing that the world today is so troubled and burdened and thus needs bearers of hope more than ever.
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Isabirye, who led the team from Kyarusozi, commended the Diocese’s initiative of promoting pilgrimages, noting that such spiritual journeys promote both personal renewal and unity in prayer for a world in need of peace.
Fr. Akugizibwe also thanked the Christians who have embraced the practice of pilgrimage, both individually and as groups. He revealed that at least 18 groups, including eight parishes, have already made pilgrimages to the Cathedral, with more expected in the coming weeks.
The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Peter Mwesige Amooti and attended by members of the Council of the Laity, catechists, Deacon Deus CSC, and other faithful.