By Fr Isaac Ojok, Communications Department, Lira Diocese
Iceme, Lira Diocese – In a scene filled with devotion, song, and color, thousands of Christians thronged Mary Mother of the Church Marian Shrine, Iceme, to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Eucharistic celebration was led by Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu Archdiocese, who on this sacred day also marked 50 years of priestly service and 25 years as a bishop.
The celebration drew the faithful from all walks of life men, women, youth, and children, gathered in unity and joy. The vast assembly was a sea of blue as members of the Catholic Women’s Guild wore their common Oasis-blue attire, proudly bearing the image of Mother Mary, their model of faith.
The Archbishop was joined by his brother bishop and host, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok of Lira Diocese, together with priests, religious sisters, and Christians from across the diocese. The choirs of Iceme Shrine, Aboke Deanery, and other parishes filled the air with melodious hymns, drawing the congregation into deep prayer and reflection.
Archbishop Odama’s Message of Faith and Hope
In his homily, Archbishop Odama reflected deeply on the meaning of the Assumption of Mary the Church’s teaching that, at the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken up into heaven, body and soul. He reminded the faithful that this dogma was solemnly declared by Pope Pius XII, and that it holds four profound truths about Mary:
She was conceived without original sin, pure and spotless from the first moment of her existence.
She was chosen by God to be the Mother of His only Son, Jesus Christ.
She faithfully accompanied her Son in His mission of salvation.
She was crowned in heaven as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
He explained the difference between the Ascension and the Assumption: “The Ascension is the power of God in Jesus taking Him to heaven; the Assumption is the power of God taking Mary to heaven, body and soul.”
Archbishop Odama described Mary as the new Eve, the vessel of a new creation, chosen because of her obedience and faith. “She is blessed because God chose her to be the Mother of God. She is the Mother of faith. Today, we gather to honor her as she is welcomed into heaven, body and soul. It is wonderful.”
A Call to Look Towards Heaven
With fatherly tenderness, the Archbishop urged the faithful to keep their eyes fixed on heaven:
“God is expecting us in heaven, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Mother Mary are waiting for us. We must learn from Mary, believe the Word of God, and live it. This is possible through prayer—especially the Holy Rosary.”
He recalled the Marian apparitions at Kibeho in Rwanda and Fatima in Portugal, where Mary called people to pray the rosary for the conversion of souls and for peace. He then taught briefly on the four sets of mysteries of the rosary, Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious, encouraging everyone to make this devotion part of their daily life.
A Celebration of Love, Gratitude, and Service
The day was not only about honoring Mary but also about honoring Archbishop Odama himself, an icon of peace in Northern Uganda, who for over 29years led the Church as Bishop and played a crucial role in peace mediation during the difficult years of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict, notably through the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative.
At the climax of the celebration, Christians from across Lira Diocese showered him with gifts, a gesture of love, gratitude, and solidarity for his tireless service to God’s people. In turn, Archbishop Odama thanked Bishop Wanok and the entire Lira Diocese for hosting his Golden Jubilee celebrations on such a solemn feast, saying:
“May we all listen to God’s Word and fulfill it, as Mary did.”
On this holy day, the faithful left Iceme Shrine spiritually uplifted, renewed in their devotion to Mary, inspired by the Archbishop’s witness, and reminded that, like Mary, they too are called to live in faith and one day share in the glory of heaven.
End.
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