The Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine community is joining the Franciscan family worldwide in commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, a significant milestone in the life of the Franciscan Order and the entireCatholic Church.
The commemoration comes as the faithful mark the Franciscan Jubilee Year, a special period dedicated to celebrating the life, spirituality and enduring legacy of St Francis. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a special Year of St Francis, running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027.
According to the Rector of Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, Fr Male, the Jubilee is not simply about remembering events that happened eight centuries ago, but is also an invitation for Christians to rediscover the Gospel values that shaped the life of St Francis.
“The Jubilee calls us to embrace peace, fraternity, service to the poor, mercy and care for creation, allowing the spirit of St Francis to renew our world today,” he said.
Every year, the Franciscan Community in Munyonyo marks two important celebrations at the beginning of October: TheTransitus of St Francis on October 3, commemorating his passing from earthly life, and the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on October 4.
This year’s celebrations carry additional significance as Br Augustine Ziribumwe makes his Solemn Vows, committing himself permanently to religious life in the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
Br Ziribumwe, who hails from Kabale Diocese, began his journey of Franciscan formation in 2017 in Meru, Kenya. He later came to Munyonyo for his second year of postulancy before joining the novitiate in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2019.
In 2020, he joined St Paul’s Major Seminary in Accra, Ghana, where he studied philosophy for three years. He spent his pastoral year at Immaculate Conception Friary in Matugga in 2023 before proceeding to Jordan University College in Morogoro, Tanzania, in 2024 to pursue studies in Theology.
For Br Ziribumwe, however, the journey towards Franciscan religious life began much earlier. Reading stories about St Francis planted the first seeds of his vocation, while Pope Francis’ visit to Uganda in 2015 strengthened his desire to join the Franciscan family.
“My desire to join the Conventual Franciscans grew even stronger when Pope Francis visited Uganda. I remember watching the live broadcast at school as the friars warmly welcomed the Pope to Munyonyo. Seeing that moment inspired me deeply and confirmed my desire to be part of their community. Later, I reached out to them on Facebook and got in touch with the friars,” he recalled.
His Solemn Profession is therefore both a personal milestone and an important part of the commemoration of the 800th anniversary of St Francis’ Feast. The anniversary year has also been one of thanksgiving for the Conventual Franciscan Friars in Uganda.
This year, the friars celebrated their Silver Jubilee in Uganda and welcomed Rev. Fr Paul Ssekitte as the seventh native Ugandan Franciscan priest.
Three Ugandan Franciscan brothers were also ordained to the Diaconate: Dn Francis Asiimwe in Poland, Dn Deus Mugaluin Rome and Dn Francis Musanya in Poland.
Meanwhile, Br Joseph Lubowa and Br Augustine Ziribumwemade their Solemn Vows, marking another important step in the growth of Franciscan vocations in Uganda.
