Thousand of Christians gathered at Kitanga Parish grounds on Sunday to mark Ascension day which was integrated with pilgrimage to the Deanery of Kitanga. Kitanga Deanery is composed of 4 parishes of Bucundura, Kitanga, Nyakishenyi and Nyarushanje.
These Christians gathered as pilgrims on Friday, May 30, 2025 and went through a series of teachings to prepared them for opening of Holy Door of Kitanga parish Church on Ascension Sunday, June 1, 2025. They all went through the Principal Door which was opened by Msgr. John Vianney Sunday Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, represented Bishop Callist Rubaramira.
A Pilgrimage is one of the activities prepared by Kabale Diocese in the Jubilee Year which was announced by Pope Francis on May 9, 2023, celebrated under the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.” Other activities prepared include jubilee charity (which was carried out in prisons and hospitals during lenten season), teaching of the Jubilee Hymn and Jubilee Prayer among others.
While preaching during Mass, Msgr John Vianney Sunday said that Christians had 40 days to prepare for the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus (Lenten season) and also had 40 days after the resurrection of Jesus before Ascension (Easter season) in order to learn from Christ so that after his Ascension, like the Apostles, they have what to teach others.
He said that Ascension day teaches us that “it is not by our power, or strength or wisdom, but the Holy Spirit whom Jesus gives us on pentecost day that we are able to witness to Christ with courage.”
Msgr John Vianney said that in first reading (Acta 1:1-11), “staying with the Lord means loving him. St. Luke writes to his beloved friend Theophilus (the beloved of God), acknowledging what Jesus did and taught and preparing the Apostles for the reception of Holy Spirit. Jesus instructed them to remain in Jerusalem (meaning peace from the Lord). Jerusalem was important for the Jews for it was the dwelling place of Yahweh, also a place when people met to receive peace and cleansing from the Lord. Our Jerusalem presently is that moment where we meet the Lord for prayer.” Therefore, Christians ought to remain in prayer and in constant connection with the Lord.
He also noted that “the second Reading (Ephesians 1:17-23) reminds us that we are pilgrims who should keep hope in the Lord and the Gospel (Luke 24) reminds us to be spread the good News of reconcilation and penance.” He thanked the priests in Kitanga Deanery for their availability to administer the sacrament of penance and reconcilation to the pilgrims as one of the prerequisite for the plenary indulgence, the others being reception of the sacrament of Eucharist and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father (the Pope).
Mr. Owaruhanga Gad, the Chairperson Laity Council for Kitanga Deanery welcomed the pilgrims and thanked God for the opportunity he granted all pilgrims to celebrate the Jubilee Year and obtain plenary indulgences. He thanked all Parish Priests and Parish Councils for the mobilization and helping people make a successful pilgrimage. He also encouraged the Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and keep nourishing it with sacraments and prayer.
Rev. Fr. Marius Byamukama, Parish priest of Kitanga Parish and Dean for Kitanga Deanery in his remarks welcomed the Vicar General, who represented Bishop Callist Rubaramira to the opening of Holy Door of Kitanga parish Church for pilgrims in the Deanery. He thanked the priests of Nyarushanje, Nyakishenyi and Bucundura parishes who walked with their Christians as pilgrims of Hope to Kitanga parish. He thanked Pastoral Coordinator for taking lead in pilgrimage and helping people to understand the Jubilee Year and the benefits attached to it. He also thanked the medical team of Kitanga Health Centre III for offering health services and first aid to the pilgrims.
Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, the Pastoral Coordinator for Kabale Diocese thanked Deanery priests for their full participation in the Jubilee Year activities. He noted that they helped their Christians to learn the Jubilee hymn, recite Jubilee prayer, participate in works of mercy (during lent) and Pilgrimage among others. He thanked then for working as a team. He awarded certificate of participation to all the Primary and Secondary Schools and Parish Choirs from the four parishes of Kitanga Deanery that participated in Jubilee Year Hymn competitions.
The Vicar General in his remarks thanked the pilgrims for the making a spiritual journey. He conveyed greetings from the Bishop who thanked them for turning up to celebrate with him his Priestly Golden Jubilee on May 18, 2025. He also thanked the Pastoral Coordinator and team for the good work done in coordinating the Diocesan pastoral activities especially the Jubilee Year program so that they can spiritually benefit from it especially obtaining plenary indulgences after proper preparation.
He also thanked the religious and catechists for supporting the priests in the apostolate. He thanked all those who turned up for the Pilgrimage and implored them to remain committed to the Lord by remaining in state of grace and continue witnessing to Christ as Pilgrims of Hope.