THOUSANDS GATHER FOR THE 14TH EUCHARIST CONGRESS

Over 30,000 congregants from the 6 districts of Kigezi region (Kabale, Rubanda, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rukiga and Rukungiri) and beyond gathered for the 14^th Annual Eucharistic Congress at Rushoroza Cathedral that was organized by Kabale Diocese celebrated under the theme: “I am the bread of Life” (John 6:48). The Congress is held annually by Kabale diocese in order to learn more about Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist.

While closing the 4 day Eucharistic congress on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Rushoroza Cathedral, Msgr. John Sunday Vianney, the Vicar General of Kabale Diocese in his preaching during Mass noted that the Holy Eucharist is not only a source of spiritual empowerment but also physical renewal and encouraged the faithful to use the lessons learnt from the congress as a starting point to fight poverty and create wealth. He gave this message He said that as they came for prayers, they should also commit to working diligently, as Christ transforms their lives and lifts them out of poverty.

Jesus Christ gives us physical empowerment through the Holy Eucharist. Therefore, go out and work towards achieving that. You have come here to seek strength and power of Jesus in the Eucharist, after this prayer, go and work. How I wish that today, as we conclude this event, each one of you writes down one project you are going to start, even if you start with one hen; and by the time we gather for the 15th Eucharistic Congress next year, you come back giving testimonies of multiplication and transformation – Msgr John Vianney Sunday.

He thanked the faithful for coming from all corners of the Diocese to seek and meet the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and reminded them that the sacrament of Eucharist is inexhaustible, a reason why there is Eucharistic Adoration. On this, the Vicar General implored them to always have time and visit Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament for Adoration especially on Thursdays since it’s the official date for adoration throughout the Diocese.

The Eucharistic Congress was opened on the evening of Thursday, August 28, 2025 with Sacrifice of Mass led by Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, Pastoral Coordinator of Kabale Diocese. On Friday, August 29, 2025, a session by Fr. Young Innocent Buregyeya was delivered to the people and was on the interior preparation and worthy reception of the Sacrament of Eucharist. They were taught that to be well disposed for the sacrament of the Eucharist, people needed to receive the sacrament of Penance so that they reconcile with God and fellows. After the session a number of priests were available to administer the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

On Saturday, August 30, 2025, the congregation was taught about taking Jesus to the wounded world facilitated by Rev. Fr. Ambrose Ndinumukiza, assistant priest of St. Ambrose Karambi Parish in Makiro Deanery (Kanungu district). He said that Jesus lived sacramentally in Mary, and she took him to Zechariah and Elizabeth, to a wounded family and brought joy and happiness and urged the faithful that when they receive Jesus in the Eucharist, they should take him to others in order to bring them joy.

Fr. Ndinumukiza explained that the Eucharist is to be shared together as Jesus prepared his last meal and shared it with his disciples. Eucharist is a gift to be shared out. Jesus out of his love gave out himself to the others, therefore, the Eucharist is an act of generosity and so people should share out their lives with others as an expression of love (do good to others as an expression of love). When we go for Mass, we go to receive Jesus so that we can take him out to the others. At the table of the Word (Readings) and at the table of the Eucharist we are nourished and are called to go and nourish others by our words and actions.

There was Procession with the Blessed Sacrament in the streets of Kabale Town for public veneration. Eucharist procession is a public manifestation of the love Jesus has for humanity, we take him to the world. The day was crowned with candle lighting, a sign of commissioning by the Holy Spirit into the world as missionary Disciples and this session was led by Fr. Young Innocent Buregyeya.

In his remarks, Rev. Fr. Boniface Barisigara, the Spiritual Director of Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) Kabale Diocese thanked all those who turned up for the 14th Eucharistic Congress. In a special way he thanked all those who made pilgrimage by walking from Kisoro (430 in number), Kanungu (77), Rukungiri (140) and others from nearby districts like Rubanda, Rukiga and Kabale for their dedication to seek the Lord. He also thanked the organizing committee and the facilitators of the Congress (Fr. Young Innocent Buregyeya and Fr. Ambrose Ndinumukiza) for quenching peoples thirst for the Lord and feeding them spiritually with different topics on the Eucharist. He appreciated Hon. Minister Henry Musasizi, Hon. Dr. Nicholas Kamara, Hon Catherine Ndamira, Hon Wilfred Niwagaba, Hon Prossy Akampurira, Hon. Evelyn Kikafunda among others for their contributions towards the organization of the 14th Annual Eucharistic Congress.

In his remarks as Chief guest, Hon. Henry Musasizi, MP for Rubanda East and state Minister for Finance (General Duties) thanked Kabale Diocese for always organizing annual Eucharistic Congress for people to express their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and noted that he himself had attended to thank God for all he has accomplished. He thanked Msgr. John Vianney Sunday and all the religious leaders who preach the gospel message of liberating human soul and body.

He called on the faithful to transit from subsistence farming to a modern money economy as a pathway to prosperity and development. He urged the attendants in the congress to focus on building a stable economy and engage in productive enterprises. He said that much as the NRM Government has ensured peace and stability of the country, there are a few challenges that hinder progress, including poverty, by revealed that there’s still 39% of the Ugandan population still stuck in the subsistence economy, a reason why the NRM government has established a number of poverty alleviation programs including Emyooga, PDM among others. He noted that people’s contribution to the fight against poverty is only by embracing these programs in order to have impactful lives.