The 116th pilgrimage anniversary to Omach in Pakwach, Nebbi Diocese, held on Friday, March 6, was described as a celebration of a historic miracle brought by the Comboni Missionaries who introduced the Catholic faith to the region.
The Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Lira, Sanctus Lino Wanok, who served as the main celebrant at the Mass attended by thousands of pilgrims, said the gathering was a moment to reflect on God’s great gift of faith. Pilgrims came from across the Gulu Ecclesiastical Province, which includes the dioceses of Gulu, Arua, Nebbi, and Lira (GANAL).
Bishop Wanok emphasized that the faithful did not gather by coincidence but through God’s grace and the strength of their faith. He explained that the pilgrimage commemorates the historic moment in 1910 when the Eucharist first reached Omach on the shores of the River Nile, brought by missionaries who traveled through the area carrying the Blessed Sacrament.
He noted that the Eucharist remains the center of Christian communion, strengthening believers in their faith and love for God and encouraging unity among people. The bishop urged Christians to nurture communion beginning within families and extending to society and the nation, as a path to achieving the peace and brotherhood that God desires.
Among those present at the celebration were the Archbishop of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu, Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama, Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arua, Bishop Constantine Rupiny of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, and Bishop Emeritus Joseph Franzelli of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lira.
The annual Omach pilgrimage continues to be a powerful reminder of the roots of Christianity in the region and the enduring significance of the Eucharist in the life of the Church. As thousands gather each year to commemorate this historic moment, the celebration strengthens unity among believers and renews their commitment to faith, peace, and communal harmony.
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