BUILT AND BLESSED | KAIROS GLOBAL | SEPTEMBER 2021

Author: Karuhanga Martin, Uganda

My name is Karuhanga Martin a Jesus Youth in Uganda, from a small district in the western region called Ntungamo. I’m the last born of nine children. I am married to my beautiful wife, Sheila and we have a daughter, Ariana. My life has been blessed ever since I took a decision to follow Jesus Christ with the formation of the Jesus Youth community. 

I was introduced to the movement in my second year at college, by a joyful and vibrant gentleman, Moses, who was partaking a three-year full-time mission with his family in Uganda. His warm smile, cheerful singing and a spirit of togetherness drew me, wanting to know more about his passion for Christ. I attending a Discipleship Training Programme in 2014, which urged me to take serious decisions about my faith: volunteer actively in the movement, pray the Rosary daily, join a cell group and plan to get married. The volunteer time I spent formed and moulded me to trust and selflessly open my hand to all the needy. I learnt to willingly offer my time, whenever called for formation. 

I met Sheila during my final year in 2015, dated for four years and got married in December 2018, during which we also attended formation programmes organised by the Jesus Youth Uganda. One formation programme we attended was the cell retreat in 2018 that broadened our understanding of family ministry. A family is nothing without God in the midst. We learnt about family morals, dangers of abortion; choosing a life partner is a decision we make with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The three days we spent in the retreat helped me love and cherish Sheila more with a focus on her good qualities that even today is thank God for. 

The guidance and constant communication with my cellmates, animators also assisted me take a decision to get married in 2018. Together with Sheila, we also met a joyful family, Wilma and Anthony from the UAE during a gathering of the GCC countries, who shared their family testimony that sparked the love of the Catholic faith in Sheila. This was her join home to the Catholic faith and she was welcomed to the Church in November 2018.  We have been blessed ever since, i.e. beautiful baby girl, Ariana added to the family, stable employment, focused life, joy and peace. I’m currently volunteering as a member of the JY National Team Uganda, a role I carry out selflessly with much love to serve my brothers and sisters. This has helped to practice the six pillars in my life, such as attend daily evening Mass on Radio Maria Uganda, recite a daily morning Rosary, have a confession once in a month, appreciate the good in others and strive for holiness each day. I’m forever grateful to God for opportunity to serve the Catholic Church that I love and am proudly a part of.  

What not to love about the Catholic Church?

That’s right, you heard it; I am talking about why I love the Catholic Church! This may come as a big surprise since the world has a lot of negative things to say about the Church and what it stands for. Despite what you hear, there are innumerable reasons to love the Church and below are just to name a few.

1. It is the True Church founded by Christ himself

There are many Christian denominations and hardly any of them can trace their origins to Christ and his apostles except for the Roman Catholic Church and some of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. The Catholic Church proudly professes its foundation in Christ according to its tradition and so its origin is divine from God himself. Hence, I am convinced it is the True Church and there are no substitutes to look for beside it. So if you find yourself in the Catholic Church, you’re on board the right ship.

2. It is a visible and tangible sign of an invisible God.

For those of you familiar with your catechism, you know what I am going to say. Yes, it is the sacraments which provide those visible and tangible signs of an invisible God. The Church through the sacraments is where we can meet and experience our Lord Jesus Christ, namely in the Eucharist where we consume and unite ourselves to his body, as well as the sacrament of reconciliation where we can experience his love and mercy. Equally important are the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, holy orders and anointing of the sick. After truly partaking in the sacraments in the manner intended, I hardly doubt anyone can say they have not encountered and experienced God.

3. Its massive impact in the history of mankind

While a lot of people find history boring, I am fascinated about it. I believe history provides valuable lessons and helps us understand how mankind got to where we are today. Throughout its 2000-year history, the Catholic Church has left its mark on almost every century since its founding till today, outlasting kingdoms & empires (some of which wanted to destroy it) and influencing philosophy, culture, art, music, and science. 

In the area of science, in 1927 a Catholic priest named Georges Lemaître propounded the Big Bang theory. In art, Michelangelo, a devout Catholic whose works endure in the Vatican City, like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel have inspired thousands of artists. These to just name a few of the amazing contributions the Catholic Church has made through its members in society in history.

4. A place where saints are made.

The Church is a place where saints are born and made. The saints have provided me and countless people around the world, role models in our journey in imitating Christ and knowing him in a more intimate manner. Their life stories, teachings and insights have impacted many who are seeking the beautiful relationship God desires with every human being. Saints like Sr.Faustina, John Bosco & John Paul II to name a few are some of the saints I consider role models in my life. 

The list is not exhaustive and hopefully each of you will have your own points to add to it. I am sure you will because the Catholic Church is just too awesome!  

• Meldon Agusto Azavedo, Sharjah, UAE