Arua Diocese

Holy Cross Pilgrimage Center welcomes 262 young Catholics.

Bishop Sabino who was the main celebrant at the occasion implored residents with invested interest in the land hosting the pilgrimage Center to allow God's work to continue at the Center without disruption while urging for unity and support for the development of the sacred ground. He reminded the congregation that the land, dedicated to God's service, transcends earthly boundaries and belongs solely to God.

"Those wanting to push us away. This place was given to God and now belongs to God . We priest and religious are just servants. You might think that you are against the priests working here or the Bishop. But you are against God and God will know where to place you. Let us allow the development here to continue so that this place becomes the mother house of the whole Diocese of Arua. So let us pray for this intention." Says the Bishop.

Holy Cross Pilgrimage Center Indriani Is located in Pakele subcounty - Pakele parish, west Moyo, about 22 km east of present day Adjumani town. It is where the first group of missionaries pitched camp in 1912. In 1985 when the Mill Hill missionaries were in eastern Uganda. Very little was known about the north. In 1910, the missionaries set foot in West Nile, some arriving in Pakwach, while others reached the Indriani site in Pakele in 1912.

During his Homily, Bishop Sabino extended condolences, honoring late Rev.Fr. Isa Iranya, the first parish priest and Rector of Holy Cross Pilgrimage Center who passed away on the 11th of January 2024 for his unwavering dedication and love for both his congregation and the faith of the church around the pilgrimage center. Bishop urged the congregation to be inspired by the devotion and the noble work of late Rev.Fr.Isa in developing the place into what it is today.

He encouraged the newly confirmed to seek God's guidance in discerning their life's calling, whether in religious vocation or professional pursuits.

"You will be receiving the spirit that Jesus promised in fullness . So count yourself now a new person after receiving the spirit . Ask the Lord that God, what would you love me to do with the gift of life that you have given me? You can think of a vocation that you would want to embrace. You can think of a profession or being a priest, religious brother or a reverend sister. By doing so, it means you know where you are going." Said the Bishop.