Community can act as a driveway to God's eternal
glory.
The main celebrant in the middle and co-celebrants on either side,
Saint Mary's Catholic Church
Landover Hills, MD
Every now and then, through
Godly acts, we take a sip of the thirst quenching waters of eternity (John
4:14). Peace is like a river. It
flows from you to me and from me to you. Spirituality is the riverbed through
which the river of peace ceaselessly flows. The currents are the dynamic force
giving the river its fervent flow into a distant future. A nation, any nation,
dedicated to the Almighty God receives lasting bounty and people live fulfilled
lives because they backed their trust in a faithful God. When two or more God-fearing
nations share cultures they receive God’s glory so many folds which in turn
manifests as cosmopolitan and
egalitarian aspirations.
And so it is when the Africa diaspora communities in
America conduct worship, social and cultural events which contribute to the
civic kaleidoscope of America. Between May to June 2026 in the DC, Maryland and
Virginia (DMV) area several get-together events were conducted by Africa
diaspora communities.
The Islamic community in Springfield concluded a well-attended
Eid Aduha event. The Cameroonian community led and concluded a planning meeting
in which strategies were laid to facilitate a more visible engagement in
community events. The Ghanaian community led the Saints of Africa event with
memorable animation and worship billed as one of the best. These and many others
are some of the many testaments of the critical voices proclaiming the greatness
of God (Matthew 10:27).
The Africa
diaspora communities use social and cultural activities to grow a Christ-like
lifestyle. It is a lifestyle grounded in cognizance of the public nature of
charity, participation in a life through actions that make God's kingdom experienced
on earth.
The time prior the Uganda Martyrs' Day celebration
may have gone like this. Word of mouth,
a reminder message, planning committee activities, a father making sure the
family is ready for the day's event. Somewhere
a loving mother is showing her child how to tie that shoelace. A younger sibling is led by an older one
through a pew to where they are to sit during Mass. Parents continue supporting
a child who is going through the processes preparing her or him to be a
Catechumen. The Pastor's message alert
lights up with a text about a delivery of janitorial products to be made two
days before the event. The choir goes through Mendel's Alleluia after which
they tune the membraphonic instruments to accompany the music. 8 adolescents who
volunteered to serve as sacristans as well as serve during the Mass are taken
through the nine yards of such a calling. Rehearsals for the Gloria which will
be said in Latin are taking place. The choir has to find time to go through all
the Church music from all parts of Africa chosen to be sung during the service.
A catering team makes sure Jane or Michael who expressed fear of allergenic
exposure during a prior survey are catered for. The family cars to transport
members are well maintained. The clothes to wear are pressed and in place. People are drawn
in silent contemplation about how to give glory to God every minute through
life's activities. Over there at the sanctuary the priests who conduct the Holy
Mass prayers have their palms clasped as a sign of piety. Two young adults in
their mid-twenties called in two days back at their places of work and asked
for a day-off so that they could attend the event. Everyone in this space is taking up roles
which become the critical events culminating into showing up for Holy Mass and
all post-service events.
These experiences are a continuation of praise, worship
and acknowledging God in our midst. These experiences are the actions behind
our witness of God's glory shared with each other. The good actions are a
yearning for God. Our small steps as everyday saints bring us fulfilled joy at
a personal and community levels. This joy comes with responsibility and
accountability without doubt. To be an everyday saint also means we are called
to carry an every minute responsibility and second-by-second obligation. They manifest
as devotion, charity, dedication, duty, jubilation and living fulfilled lives. The
heart's intentions manifest publicly in the form of social values, compassion,
connectedness and missionaries for Christ.
There is vibrancy, a renewal and
brimming spirituality. The responsibility of being a follower of Christ and a
propensity to adopt actions that reflect Jesus in all of us are actions which
are our own journeys into and with Christ.
And so it was that on the 20th
of June the DMV Uganda diaspora community represented by well-wishers,
Catholics, Uganda Martyrs’ Society and the Holy Martyrs of Uganda Community
members participated in the celebration of the Uganda Martyrs’ Day 2026 which
began with a Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Landover Hills MD. The
theme was “Christ our peace, breaking the walls, healing the nation.” The main celebrant
was the Most Rev. Roy E. Campbell Jr. Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of
Washington.
During the prelude right
before introductory rites, Saint Mary’s Church’s interior lights high up in the
ceiling were like a fountain pouring joy on all congregants. Lights beaming with
bespoke brilliance affirm the on-going reverence in this worship space. The ushers identifiable by murram-brown
sashes direct the congregants toward the sitting area. Time is ticking away toward
4:00 pm. Two cultures who tell time differently have so far reached the last
minutes simultaneously. African time and American time have agreed with each
other! A few minutes before 4:00pm, a triumphal entry procession led by the
Most Rev. Roy E. Campbell Jr., Priests, servers and those chosen to represent
the Martyrs with sashes having the Martyrs' names marched in dignified step to
the music by the choir. An atmosphere of reverent solemnity is amplified by
crimson vestments of the priests, the glittering gold and silver articles
around the interior. The clergy and
congregants adopt a humble posture as the main celebrant greeted the
congregation and led the service. This filled our hearts with exuberance and a sense
of God’s presence.
During the Homily, the main celebrant emphasized the
benefits of having the Martyrs whose examples can be used as lessons to steadily
keep on the path to God’s glory. The Bishop showed us examples of how the Martyrs
remained faithful to God despite all the pressures to give up. He concluded by
exhorting all of us to “grow in faith,” and “not to be afraid.” This was the
Gospel’s message as well. In ending his Homily, the Bishop instructed all of us
to emulate Christ who is the way, the truth and life (John 14:6). Jesus is the clear
path to God, he concluded. The imagery is like that riverbed we were introduced
to earlier. Jesus leads us to eternity
if we make him our companion. He is the bread of life (John 6:35) and love
turning into the currents and renewing in us the vitality to march forward
together into heaven's eternity. After the blessing and dismissal, we had photo
opportunities with the celebrants, sacristans, the ones who represented the
martyrs and other members of the congregation.
A reception followed which was fused with Afro-music,
dance, drama, poetry and music recitals, children-themed activities and
recognizing those who continue to make such events solidly part of the routine
in the DMV. I walked through the tables during the reception. Guests were
engaged in conversation on many topics and I noticed almost all people had put
away their phones. Physical meetings like these where God is part of our actions
promote a culture of getting along. Connection and affection thrive in a space
like this. Buddies and pals were catching up on a number of things. Acquaintances
were renewed. I met a Ugandan from Sweden who visits his relatives here in the
DMV around Summer time. He remarked that they have similar activities in Sweden
too. This space is like a whetstone upon which we revitalize our individual and
social manners like turn-taking, listening, recognizing others and living in
the present moment. There is magic in re-making
our social spaces into catalysts for living in the present where God is a key participant
too. It is a faith-filled space where self-care moves side by side with
community sensibilities. Children continue
running around later to be called by their parents on the way back home. The MC
speaks over the conversations guiding the guests through the rest of the activities
of the day.
The Gospel is a source of information describing how Jesus normalized the transcendental nature humans adopt when they center God in their life's agenda. God, through grace has made it possible for all humans to be heiresses and heirs of the Kingdom. Jesus guides us on how to dream about heaven. The Martyrs through their actions gave us a roadmap on how to make it to heaven. This is a folklorist bucolic narrative that can easily become an urban story. The Martyrs, from Kizito, Ngondwe, Ssebugwaawo, Balikuddembe, Sserunkuuma to Lwanga have shown us that everyone of us has a role, responsibility and status to play. The repertoire of talents, artisanship and gifts each Martyr had and used to contribute to the grandeur of Buganda Kingdom in the 1800s can be one's first stop to understanding who the Martyrs were. Scholars who study Buganda Kingdom argue it depended on regular workers in Palace courtyards, the clans and families. So in order for people to stay motivated, the Kingdom was resplendent with recognition rites, rigorous on fairness and promoted leadership. However, this came with acceptance of a workload most times way above one's weight. The Martyrs were child prodigies, were trained and could punch way above their weight. The biggest motivation was recognition.
I said my farewells and left to return to D.C.
The Martyrs are remarkable and walked the talk: Fear
not!
 |
| Fr. Linus with his back to the camera was talking to a group while Bishop Roy and Dr. Muyunga-Mukasa had another snapshot. This photo was taken by Josephat Katundabwile, a Graduate Engineering student at the Catholic University of America. |
 |
| The author of this blog, Dr. Muyunga-Mukasa is passionate about health promotion and education. In this picture he is telling Bishop Roy that he chronicles events of the Africa diaspora communities in the Americas and that one day he hopes to write a book that will be used as a text. This photo was taken by Josephat Katundabwile, a Graduate Engineering student at the Catholic University of America. |
 |
| The space that accommodates intergenerational activities. The Uganda Martyrs were brought up in such spaces. We not only celebrate the Martyrs but we emulate their examples and turn them into instruction. We can never be so busy as a community to never find time for God, our own self-care needs, our loved ones and our children. This photo was taken by Josephat Katundabwile, a Graduate Engineering student at the Catholic University of America. |
 |
| Rev. Fr. Linus and the rest of the priests led by example. From a Biblical point of view Jesus said, let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these ( Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; and Luke 18:16). From a medical-psychological point of view children gain developmental and social benefits when they are guided to engage in shared, intergenerational, or what are termed as adult environments. These events become age-appropriate spaces too. Children are able to relate with real-world social cues which in turn improve their cognitive flexibility and enhance a sense of belonging. This photo was taken byJosephat Katundabwile, a Graduate Engineering student at the Catholic University of America. |
 |
| Recognizing effort! When communities spare time to say thank you and have a culture promoting saying sorry and please, a critical mass of motivated people thrive in such a setting. Thank you to the team behind the Uganda Martyrs' Day celebrations. This photo was taken by Josephat Katundabwile, a Graduate Engineering student at the Catholic University of America. |
 |
| It was the moment for children to shine through their songs. This photo was taken by the author. |
 |
Reception
time! A communal meal reduces effects of isolation, enhances social
cohesion, promotes stress reduction through what is termed as nature
immersion, and improves emotional health driven by the act of
communal conversations around shared themes, eating and feeling of being part
of something bigger. People are able to fill in gaps and catch up on new things. This photo was taken by the author. |
 |
| Recitals by adolescents and younger adults. There is an association
between civic engagement in adolescence and outcomes during adulthood among
youth. Civic engagement has an effect on youth development over time.
Positive and socially agreeable events promote better civic, social, and
behavioral outcomes. Events such as the Uganda Martyrs' Day celebration are critical social cues modelling adolescence and young adults to acquire knowledge and skills leading to responsible adulthood portraits. This photo was taken by the author.
|
 |
Liturgy of the Eucharist. This photo was taken by the author.
|
The main poster was shared by Mr. Kawunde Deogratius.
 |
The "Martyrs" attended the Holy Mass. A close look at the team which represented the Martyrs. One can note the murram-brown sashes! This This photo was taken by the author.
|
Rev. Fr. Linus on the right of the author of this blog posing with the Most Rev. Roy Edward Campbell, Jr. Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington. This photo was taken by Ivan Omagor, a Graduate Engineering student at the Catholic University of America.
 |
| Dr. Muyunga-Mukasa and Bishop Roy. This photo was taken byJosephat Katundabwile, a Graduate Engineering student at the Catholic University of America. |
