REQUIESCANT IN PACE

The final day of the second solemn novena to St. Jude, is usually celebrated in our ceremonial gardens. Before the concluding Novena Mass begins, a brief prayer service for the three priests to whom this novena is dedicated, is held at the graves of two of the priests (Msgrs. John Baptist Kanyi and Anatoli Kamya). The third priest, Rev. Fr. Henry Steegmans, was laid to rest elsewhere.

Rev. Fr. Henry Steegmans

Fr. Henry Steegmans was a Mill Hill Missionary priest, from the Netherlands, and the founder of  Our Lady and St. Jude Catholic Church, Naggulu (1954). His name, Steegmans, means: ‘the son of the man in a small street’. I happened to see him on a few occasions, although I never had a chance of  participating in one of his Eucharistic celebrations. He was still in Uganda at the celebration of Naggulu Parish Golden Jubilee (2004). However , shortly afterwards he returned to his home country where the Lord called him to eternal rest in June 2009. 

Msgr John Baptist Kanyi

The monsignor originated from Sudan, but grew up and became a priest in Uganda. I participated in his Novena Masses. Devotees of the St. Jude devotion would come from up Country and neighbouring countries to attend these novenas. Their participation was always serious, pious and active. You would notice that they were recollected in Spirit, their souls and bodies united in prayerful harmony.  They listened to the readings with full attention and responded to hymns, prayers and acclamations with enthusiasm. At the time of consecration, even the people outside would kneel on the ground; the environment was very conducive spiritually (1Kg 19:ll-13).  

We have to remember that at that time there were not many prayer centers as we have them today, and people as always wanted God to give them answers to their problems or thank Him for his providence. This was one of the few available places.

Msgr. Kanyi successfully promoted the Devotion to St. Jude. He died and was buried behind the Church.

Msgr Anatoli K. Kamya

A priest of the soil (Muganda) he was the Parish Priest of Naggulu (1990—2001). He was very principled indeed. One time a group of Christians approached him and requested him to be celebrating Mass in English also,  but he answered, "Even if there is only one person in the Church, I shall celebrate Mass" (for the 2nd Vatican Council says, "Mass is to be celebrated in the Language of the people of the Area i.e. in Luganda in Buganda).

At another time he was distributing Holy Communion. He held the Communion to "X" and said "Omubiri gwa Kristu" but "X" kept quiet. He said it the second time and the third time. When "X" did not say, "Amiina", he never gave communion to "X".

One Christmas day, when he was celebrating Mass, the Children's Ministry presented a SKIT imitating the Clergies. A very young girl who imitated him said, "You have come to meet your God, to meet Him in His word and in the Sacrament, are you ready to receive Him? If not, you must go for confession and that is why those confessional boxes are there. I am Msgr Anatoli Kamya". The congregation laughed and clapped, because that was exactly how he used to preach. Msgr was so amused and happy that from that moment onwards, he was calling the  Children's Ministry, "ABAANA BANGE".

To meet Jesus in His Word, means you have to come early for Mass. That is why Rev. Fr. Godfrey Kyeyune wrote in the parishioner, "the Faithful are encouraged to be in time" - so that they can meet Jesus by listening to the Readings and Homilies.

The monsignor also promoted the Devotion to St. Jude, but he handed the instrument of power (PARISH PRIEST) to Rev. Fr. Edward Muwanga. I was so privileged and blessed that I saw and witnessed the installation of Rev. Fr. Edward Muwanga as Parish Priest of Naggulu.

As if he knew that his time was about to come, Msgr. now spent most of his time in prayer. He would sit at a corner near the Tabernacle praying. When the time came for him to rest in the Lord, some of us visited him at Nsambya hospital. We stood near his bed, he could neither recognize us nor talk.

When he breathed his last, he was buried next to Msgr. Kanyi behind the church. The Bible is right to tell us that we should be ever because we do not know the Time (hour) and the day.

Every Thursday after the Holy Hour, and every Saturday before the Rosary at grotto, the Children's Ministry visits their Tombs and prays the Prayer of the Faithful Departed.

For these three heroes of Naggulu Parish we say: “May they rest in peace. Amen”.

Wed 15, Aug 2018 09:08 am