20 SEMINARIANS INSTALLED LECTORS AND ACOLYTES WHILE 2 ADMITTED AS CANDIDATES FOR MAJOR ORDERS.

The journey towards the Catholic priesthood reached another significant milestone in Kabale Diocese on Sunday, August 2, 2026 as twenty seminarians were installed Lectors and Acolytes, while two others were admitted as Candidates for Holy Orders during a solemn Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral.

 

The Holy Mass, celebrated on the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, was presided over by the Apostolic Administrator of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, and concelebrated by several priests in the presence of the Religious, seminarians, catechists and hundreds of lay faithful.

During the celebration, Sem. Clinton Byaruhanga of Muko Parish and Sem. Javira Niwahereza of Kakore Parish were formally admitted as Candidates for Holy Orders, marking another important step in their formation towards the priesthood. Their admission signifies the Church’s recognition of their readiness to continue preparing for ordination to the Diaconate, expected next year.

As part of the installation rite, Bishop Rubaramira presented each new Lector with a Bible, emphasizing their mission of proclaiming the Word of God faithfully to the Christian community. Those installed as Acolytes were presented with a chalice and ciborium, sacred vessels that symbolize their ministry of assisting the priest at the altar and serving Christ present in the Holy Eucharist.

The seminarians instituted into the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte are:

1. Sem. Abemigisha Philip (Christ the King Parish, Kabale)
2. Sem. Agaba Collins (Butogota Parish)
3. Sem. Ainebyoona Methodius (Bukinda Parish)
4. Sem. Aryatunga Emmanuel (Buyanja Parish)
5. Sem. Atuheire Jasper (Christ the King Parish, Kabale)
6. Sem. Atukunda Elijah (Kishanje Parish)
7. Sem. Ayebazibwe Thomas (Muchahi Parish)
8. Sem. Byamukama John Balaam (Buhara Parish)
9. Sem. Byomuhangi Leodinas (Rubanda Parish)
10. Sem. Habineza Joakim (Kinanira Parish)
11. Sem. Kanyikirize Anthelem (Kitanga Parish)
12. Sem. Kyasimire Peter (Kyanamira Parish)
13. Sem. Muhairwe Arthan (Buyanja Parish)
14. Sem. Mujuni Joseph (Nyakibale Parish)
15. Sem. Niwamanya Davis (Rubanda Parish)
16. Sem. Niwamanya Francis (Rubanda Parish)
17. Sem. Owoyesigire Polycarp (Muko Parish)
18. Sem. Ruhangariyo Ivan (Rubuguri Parish)
19. Sem. Tarinsiga Rogers (Buhara Parish)
20. Sem. Tukwasiibwe Philip (Kitanga Parish)

Called to Live Generously

While preaching during Mass, the Bishop’s Secretary, Fr. Placid Mugumya, reflected on the day’s Gospel, calling upon Christians to imitate the generosity, compassion and mercy of Jesus Christ.

He reminded the faithful that genuine generosity is not measured by the abundance of one’s possessions but by a heart willing to share with others. He encouraged Christians to reject selfishness, embrace charity, and recognize that even the smallest act of kindness can transform the lives of those in need.

Addressing the seminarians, Fr. Mugumya urged them to remain faithful to their vocation, to serve God’s people with humility, and to deepen their communion with the Lord through prayer and faithful service. He also encouraged all Christians to remain steadfast in God’s love, emphasizing that no circumstance should separate them from the love of Christ.

“Allow God to Work Through You”

Speaking to the newly instituted ministers and the candidates for Holy Orders, Bishop Callist Rubaramira encouraged them to allow God to work through their lives and ministries.

He urged them to cultivate a profound love for Sacred Scripture by reading, meditating upon, and faithfully proclaiming the Word of God, so that their ministry may bear lasting spiritual fruit among God’s people.

Ministries of Service in the Church

In the Catholic Church, the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte are stable ministries entrusted to qualified members of the faithful, particularly those preparing for Holy Orders, in accordance with the norms of the Church.

The Ministry of Lector entrusts a seminarian with proclaiming the Word of God during the liturgy, preparing the faithful to receive Sacred Scripture, and fostering a deeper appreciation of God’s Word within the Christian community.

The Ministry of Acolyte prepares a seminarian for service at the altar, assisting the priest and deacon during the celebration of the Eucharist, caring for the sacred vessels, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion when required, and promoting devotion to Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament.

These ministries are far more than liturgical functions. They are ministries of service through which Lectors serve Christ present in His Word, while Acolytes serve Christ present in the Holy Eucharist.

For seminarians, institution into these ministries represents an important stage of formation, calling them to deeper lives of prayer, humility, and faithful witness as they continue their preparation for ordination to the Diaconate and, ultimately, the Priesthood.