Christians have been admonished to live a life characterized by humility, truthfulness, justice and selfless service as the surest way of faithfully serving God and his people. This call was made on Sunday, February 1, 2026 by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese while presiding over Mass to celebrate World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Persons at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral Parish.
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Persons is celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation, to mark exactly 40 days after Christmas; remembering that day when Mary and Joseph presented the child Jesus in the temple. This day was designated by God when he spoke to Moses: “Consecrate all the first-born to me, the first birth from every womb, among the Israelites. Whether man or beast, it is mine” (Exodus 13:2), this serving as a reminds of the covenant between God and his people, the Israelites which was culminated in the promise.
On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Universal Church celebrates World Day of Prayer for the Consecrated Persons, those men and women (priests, brothers and sisters) who have offered themselves to the service of God through profession of three evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and poverty. This day was instituted by Pope John Paul II on February 2, 1997 to pray for the Consecrated Persons in a special way, and a day when they renew their commitment to the service of the Lord among his people.
While preaching during Mass, Bishop Rubaramira emphasized the importance of humility and justice. Drawing the lesson from the Prophet Zephaniah 2:3;3:12-13, he urged Christians to seek God sincerely and avoid deceit in their daily lives. He said Prophet Zephaniah admonished the Israelites to follow the precepts of God, and that they should return to him in all humility for he takes care of them. He challenged believers to imitate Jesus Christ by rejecting dishonesty and embracing transparency, describing truthfulness as essential to authentic Christian witness and service within the Church.
Drawing from the Second Reading in the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1:26-31), the Bishop warned Christians against pride, especially those blessed with talents and spiritual gifts. He observed that popularity and recognition can sometimes mislead believers into boasting about their abilities rather than glorifying God.
“All gifts come from God and must be used solely for His glory Bishop Rubaramira said, reminding the faithful that God often chooses the humble and lowly to accomplish His work so that no one may boast before Him.
In his reflection on the Gospel reading from Matthew (5:1-12), the Bishop urged Christians to be peacemakers, noting that those who promote peace are called children of God. He also encouraged believers to stand firm for righteousness even in the face of persecution, assuring them that such faithfulness leads to the Kingdom of Heaven. Additionally, Bishop Rubaramira cautioned Christians against making excuses in their journey of faith, calling for total commitment and dedication to serving God wholeheartedly.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is marked by lighting of candles by the religious or the faithful. The rite of blessing and lighting the candles reminds them that Jesus who was presented in the Temple is the light of the world as Simeon recognized Jesus as the light to enlighten the Gentiles. It reminds us that Christ is our light, and so with him, we should continent walking in darkness. At baptism, we were presented with candle light, as the minister said; receive Christ our light. Therefore, Jesus is the true light, the light that chases the darkness of sin (John 1:9)
Prayer for Consecrated Persons.
God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s kingdom as sisters, brothers, religious priests, consecrated virgins, and hermits, as well as members of Secular Institutes. Renew their knowledge and love of you, and send your Holy Spirit to help them respond generously and courageously to your will. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Bishop Rubaramira noted that St. Paul reminds the faithful that God did not call them because of their riches, greatness or any other reason, but because of his love so that they may be his holy ones. “St. Paul reminds us that nobody should boast of themselves because of what you have or what you are, but boast of God and his love for us,” said Bishop Rubaramira. He reminded the Religious and all the faithful to always boast of the Lord who knew them before they were even born (Jeremiah 1:1) and so they should learn to surrender all they joys and sorrows to him.
In her remarks, the outgoing Chairperson the Association of the Religious in Uganda (ARU), Kabale Diocese, Sr. Annociata Atwine thanked God for calling them to serve him among his people as religious men and women. She congratulated them upon celebrating their feast of Presentation and World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Persons.
She thanked the Bishop for presiding over Mass and for his continued support towards the religious men and women in Kabale Diocese. She also appreciated the Episcopal Vicar for the Religious, Fr. Tamale Aloysius, CSSp, for his support towards the religious.
She noted that the day is always celebrated on February 2, but for the year 2026, it was agreed upon that they celebrate on Sunday (February 1) together with the congregation of lay faithful and seek for their prayers.
Rev. Fr. Mbabazi Ignatius, the new ARU chairperson Kabale Diocese expressed gratitude to all the members for responding to God’s call in their respective congregation. He thanked the faithful for praying with them and thanked the Bishop for presiding over Mass to celebrate their Feast day.
He thanked the religious men and women serving in Kabale Diocese for their dedication. He also thanked the different parishes where the religious men and women are serving for giving them conducive environment to serve the people.
He noted that different congregations welcome new members and asked those who may be interested in joining them to approach them for more details. There are 18 Religious Congregations of priests, brothers and sisters serving across all Deaneries of Kabale Diocese and these are:
1. Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus who serve as priests in Maziba and Bukinda parishes.
2. Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritan Fathers) who serve as priests in Kambuga, Butogota and Nyamirama parishes.
3. Missionaries of Africa (formerly White Fathers who evangelized Kigezi) serve in St. Francis Kyanamira Parish.
4. Brothers of Christian Instruction serve in education sector in Bishop Comboni College Kambuga.
5. Brothers of St. Joseph the Worker serve in Rushoroza Administration House and Nyamwegabira Parish.
6. Daughters of Our Lady Fatima, founded in Kabale Diocese in 1952 with Mother House at Rushoroza, serves in different departments of Kabale Diocese (health, education, business, secretarial, pastoral work in various parishes).
7. Daughters of Mary and Joseph (DMJ) serving in St. Maria Goretti Primary School Rushoroza and our Lady of Good Health Rushoroza Hospital.
8. Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (founded by Bishop Caesar Asili in Lira Diocese and serve in education department (St. Aloysius Girls’ S.S Kitanga, Bishop Asili Memorial N/P School, St. Maria Goretti Primary School Rushoroza among others)
9. Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, serve in education department (Immaculate Heart Girls’ Nyakibale, St. Theresa Girls’ Voc. S.S Rushoroza, St. Gertrude’s Voc. S S Mutolere, Mak Hill Girls’ S S. Kanungu) and several parishes in Kabale Diocese.
10. Evangelizing Sisters of Mary serve in Kamwezi Parish (in the health centre and St. Mark Kamwezi Secondary School) and in Nyakishenyi Parish.
11. Consolers of Sacred Heart of Jesus (Abahumuza) founded in Kabale Diocese with mother house in Rubanda Parish serve in various parishes of Kabale Diocese as pastoral agents.
12. Benebikira Sisters (Daughters of Mary of Rwanda) serve in Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale.
13. Holy Family Sisters serve in Buhara Parish and Rushoroza Cathedral Parish as pastoral agents who Minister to the less privileged and prisoners.
14. Medical Mission Sisters serve in the Health sector in Rubanda Parish, particularly in Rubanda Primary Health Care (Rubanda PHC).
15. Sisters of the School of Francis of Christ the King serve in Rwanyena Parish in the health centre and primary school.
16. Daughters of the Sacred Heart serve in Muko parish (particularly in Uganda Martyrs Primary School Muko).
17. Little Daughters of St. Joseph serve in the education sector particularly in Fr. Baldo Nursery & Primary School and Ndama Health Centre both in Ndama Parish
18. Bannabikira Sisters (Daughters of Mary of Bwanda) serving in Nyakibale Vocational School and Nyakibale Parish.