Every January 27, Thousands of pilgrims throng to Katoosa Parish in Kyenjojo district, to honor St Adolf Tibeyalirwa Lodigo Abwooli, one of the Uganda Martyrs born in Kyenjojo district Fort Portal diocese.
The day was sanctified by the Fort Portal Diocesan Ordinary, Rt.Rev.Dr.Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, as the major commemoration day for Christian devotees.
Who is St. Adolf Tibeyalirwa Lodigo Abwooli?
St Adolf Tibeyalirwa Lodigo Mukasa Abwooli, was born in Misenyi Village, in Kyenjojo District.
He was among the first 22 Ugandan martyrs killed by Kabaka Mwanga on June 3, 1885 and canonized in 1964.
Since Adolf was born in Katoosa, Butiiti, Fort Portal Diocese chose him to be the patron of Katoosa Parish. He doubles as the patron of farmers and herdsmen.
It is 138 years after he was killed but the saint is survived by some relatives.
His family background
Evangeline Kabaruli 103, one of his surviving nieces (her paternal uncle), lives about two Kilometres from Katoosa Parish.
Born on September 4, 1919, Kabaruli, a resident of Kabagunda Village in Katoosa Parish, says her uncle becoming one of the martyrs is a blessing.
She narrates that Adolf Tibeyalirwa was canonized in 1964, and parties were held at home and at the church (Kitanyata) currently in Katoosa Parish together with the priests, Since it was something they had prayed for.
She adds that before the canonization Uganda Martyrs, she was approached by Msgr Francis Kibira at home, who was doing research on Adolf as instructed by Bishop Vincent Joseph McCauley, the first Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese (1961-1972).
She explains that St Adolf together with his sister (Nyanjura) and their mother (Kajote), were abducted when they had gone to fetch water at the well.
According to Kabaruli, Nyanjura and Kajote never returned home and up to now the family do not know their whereabouts.
Wilson Byabandi, a grandson and chorister at Katosa parish, says they feel special as family to have a Uganda martyr in their lineage.
He adds that St.Adolf has done miracles in their family where they intercede for him whenever in problems.
When Rev Fr Kibira came home with a picture of Adolf asking their parents if they knew the person in the picture, they had no idea.
Kabaruli narrated the story to the priest about how Adolf was abducted and taken to Buganda.
“On that day when Adolf was abducted with his mother and sister, his father survived because he was on his way from grazing animals when he saw the soldiers he hid in the bush.
After the findings, Fr Kibira made a report which he submitted to Rome by May 1962.
He further represented Fort Portal Diocese in Rome for the defense of the report , Adolf’s canonization and other martyrs by St Paul VI (then Pope) on October 18, 1964 in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome.
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