The Final Vows celebration in the Province of East Africa on Saturday, January 17, 2026, was on a large scale, even by African standards. Around 2,500 priests, religious, and lay men and women joined in the celebration of nine Final Professions in a liturgy at Sacred Heart Parish, Arusha, in Tanzania, that joyfully lasted over four hours.
The Final Vows Mass was held in Tanzania this year as part of the Province’s celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Holy Cross’s presence in the country. The Most Rev. Isaack Amani, Archbishop of Arusha, presided and preached.
While making a wider pastoral visit to the Province, Congregation of Holy Cross Superior General, Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., received the vows of the nine religious, among whom were eight seminarians and one brother: Mr. Victor Akampa, C.S.C., Br. Francis Asaba, C.S.C., Mr. Tayebwa Deus, C.S.C., Mr. Enock Gabiro, C.S.C., Mr. Noah Bajuta Kilian, C.S.C., Mr. Issack Daniel Makere, C.S.C., Mr. Noah Masika, C.S.C., Mr. Philbert Mugabe, C.S.C., and Mr. Richard Birungi Sekasanke, C.S.C.
If that celebration were not large and joyful enough, the Ordination Mass on the following day, Sunday, 18 January, was even bigger with over 4,250 people attending the liturgy, which lasted for over six hours.
The eight seminarians who had professed their Final Vows the day before were ordained deacons. Along with them, the Province’s five transitional deacons were ordained to the priesthood: Fr. Francis Amukasa, C.S.C., Fr. Deusi Bwambale, C.S.C., Fr. Joseph Isingoma, C.S.C., Fr. Ronald Katongole, C.S.C., and Fr. Edson Mwoleka, C.S.C. They were all ordained by the Most Rev. Prosper Baltazar Lyimo, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Arusha.
As to be expected, the celebration could not be contained in the church building, but spilled over after the liturgies into equally festive receptions and dinners, complete with much music and dancing.
The newly ordained priests have all received their first assignments. Fr. Deusi will serve at St. Jude Taddeo Parish, Kyarusozi, in Uganda; Fr. Joseph, at St. Joseph’s Hill Secondary School, Kyembogo, in Uganda; Fr. Ronald at St. Felista Parish, Utegi, in Tanzania; and both Fr. Francis and Fr. Edson at St. André Bessette Parish, Koch Goma, in Uganda.
The newly finally professed have gone to their ministerial and community assignments for the coming year.
Provided by the General Administration of the Congregation of Holy Cross, February 2026
