On the last weekend of November, Sr. M. Philis from Kenya paid a visit to the small, yet growing Schoenstatt family in Uganda. Divine Providence lead to this visit on a journey back from Burundi to Kenya.
A Grace-Filled Journey
Sr. M. Philis reports, that on her way to Burundi, she “had the privilege of traveling with the Missionaries of Charity Brothers through Tanzania—a journey that took just two and a half days instead of the usual three or more.” Yet on the return journey, she had to take another route that passed through Rwanda and Uganda. “This unexpected detour became a moment of grace,” she recalls.
Meeting Fr. Joachim Mugalu
While in Uganda, the Kenyan sister reached out to a priest, Fr. Joachim Mugalu, a lecturer at St. Mbaaga Major Seminary, whom she first met in Schoenstatt, Germany, in 2023. Sr. M. Philis shared with us, that, “Fr. Joachim encountered Schoenstatt during his time in Germany and has since taken the initiative to start Schoenstatt in Uganda.” She describes “his passion for the Movement,” and how he “dreams of giving Ugandan Catholics an authentic introduction to Schoenstatt from its source.”
A Warm Welcome from Schoenstatt Members
Schoenstatt in Uganda is active in three parishes. Despite short notice, Fr. Joachim gathered a small group of Schoenstatt members on Saturday, 29th November. The people she met there were eager to learn more about Schoenstatt. Sr. M. Philis explained how the Schoenstatt family there, “expressed a strong need for Schoenstatt materials and showed deep attentiveness as I shared about the Capital of Grace, the Six Demands and Six Promises, and the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate.”
As many of the members already have home shrines, she sees great possibilities for spreading the Movement.
Visiting Sunday Masses
On her second day in Uganda, Sunday, 30th November, Sr. M. Philis attended two Holy Masses and could speak briefly about Schoenstatt and vocations. Fr. Joachim Joachim emphasized the importance of having someone come to Uganda to properly introduce Schoenstatt from its origins, ensuring that the Movement grows with clarity and authenticity.
A Call to Support Schoenstatt in Uganda
Summarising her visit and looking to the future of Schoenstatt in Uganda, Sr. M. Philis tells us,
“This encounter reminded me of the universal call of Schoenstatt: to form a covenant culture wherever we go. Uganda is fertile ground for this mission, and with the right support, Schoenstatt can flourish there.”