Grapes, apples, bananas and 300 very happy people
Local
The celebration of the Feast of St Charles Lwanga, St Kizito and their Companions at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on Sunday 7 June was, as expected, a resounding success.
About 300 people, largely from the Archdiocese’ African Catholic community, attended the Mass which was a special celebration of faith, culture and community.
The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan with concelebrating missionary priests (currently serving in Australia) and who originated from across Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria.
A highlight of the liturgy, which was largely organised by the African youth, was the vibrant offertory procession. Given that St Charles Lwanga is the patron saint of African youth, young people played a leading role throughout the celebration.
During the offertory, they brought forward a variety of fruits and gifts, symbolising thanksgiving to God for His many blessings and reflecting the rich cultural traditions of Africa.
Food was a staple of the afternoon with Mass goers bringing grapes and apples to signify God’s abundance blessing and divine provision, pineapples as a sign of hospitality and prosperity, and matooke (bananas), a staple food of Uganda representing community, warmth and love to Ugandans.
