For many couples, choosing a church for their wedding is an important part of preparing for marriage. At Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, however, the emphasis goes beyond having a beautiful wedding ceremony to preparing couples for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and the lifelong responsibilities that come with marriage.
Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine has become one of the most popular places for the celebration of Holy Matrimony in Kampala Archdiocese. With an estimated 160 to 170 weddings celebrated each year, the Shrine records the second-highest number of weddings in the Archdiocese, after Lubaga Cathedral.
Many of the couples come from other parishes, attracted by the Shrine’s spiritual significance, beautiful Basilica and gardens, convenient location, ample parking and the facilities available for wedding celebrations.
Couples intending to celebrate their marriage at Munyonyo are required to register at least three months before their proposed wedding date. This period allows them to complete the necessary Church requirements and, importantly, undergo marriage preparation.
Couples attend marriage instructions every Sunday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm for three months (12 Sundays). Those wishing to undertake the instructions at another Catholic parish must obtain permission from the Parish Priest.
The marriage preparation programme covers different aspects of married and family life. According to the Parish Priest, Fr Male, the sessions are facilitated by people with expertise in different areas, including clergy and professionals such as doctors and lawyers, among others.
Among the issues discussed are the Church’s teaching on marriage, Canon Law, communication, emotions, health, parenting and other practical realities that couples are likely to encounter in married life.
The purpose is to help couples prepare not only for the day on which they exchange their marriage vows, but also for the life they will share afterwards.
In Catholic teaching, marriage is a lifelong covenant. Proper preparation therefore allows couples to reflect on the commitment they are about to make to each other before God and the Church.
Couples seeking to marry at Munyonyo are required to fulfil severalcanonical and administrative requirements.
Wedding bookings are made directly with the Parish Priest every Tuesday during office hours or by appointment. The Shrine does not accept online registration.
Among the documents required are Baptism Cards or letters from the parishes where the couple was baptised, National IDs for Ugandans or passports for foreigners, and letters from the Parish Priests of their places of residence for those who are not residents of Munyonyo Parish.
Couples are also required to complete the marriage banns, which are announced in their parishes of baptism and residence before being signed by the respective Parish Priests and returned to Munyonyo.
The couple must also provide either a letter of no objection from the bride’s father or evidence that the traditional marriage ceremony, commonly known as Kuhingira/Kwanjula, has been completed.Ugandans living abroad who wish to marry at the Shrine must have a representative deliver the required documents and follow the necessary procedures on their behalf.
Fr Male noted that one of the important principles at Munyonyo is that couples are not charged for receiving the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. He adds that the Sacrament of Marriage is administered free of charge and no one is permitted to demand payment for it.Couples are, however, encouraged to make a voluntary donation to the Church. These contributions help meet expenses associated with maintaining the Basilica and its facilities, including cleaning, utilities, catechists, administration and civil marriage registration.
“At Munyonyo, we do not charge any money for the celebration of the Sacraments. However, we welcome voluntary donations, which are given through the offertory basket in the church. People are very generous, and these contributions help us maintain the Shrine,” he explained.
The arrangement reflects an important distinction between paying for a sacrament and voluntarily contributing towards the life and maintenance of the Church.
Although couples are generally required to register at least three months before their wedding, those planning to marry during particularly busy periods like the months of August and December are encouraged to make arrangements much earlier.
Couples intending to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine can obtain more information and detailed requirements from the Parish Office or check the Shrine’swebsite: https://munyonyo-shrine.ug/ .
