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With joy and reverence, believers welcome the Diamond Jubilee icons. By Proscovia Achomo Gulu City Christians of Gulu Vicariate, together with the clergy and religious, have received the Diamond Jubilee icons of the Archdiocese of Gulu as preparations intensif
With joy and reverence, believers welcome the Diamond Jubilee icons.
By Proscovia Achomo
Gulu City
Christians of Gulu Vicariate, together with the clergy and religious, have received the Diamond Jubilee icons of the Archdiocese of Gulu as preparations intensify ahead of the 75th anniversary celebrations scheduled for 19th March 2027 on the feast of St Joseph. The Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated under the theme: “Rooted in Christ, Together with St. Joseph.”
The icons were handed over last weekend by Christians from Christ the King Atanga Parish in Kitgum Vicariate during a ceremony held at Lapuda in Cwero Sub-county, Gulu District, near Aswa Bridge.
The Jubilee icons, which include the Statue of St. Joseph, the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Gulu, and the Monstrance, a sacred vessel used to display the Blessed Sacrament during Eucharistic adoration and prayer, have been on a spiritual pilgrimage through various parishes as part of preparations for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The movement of the icons is intended to provide Christians with an opportunity for prayer, Eucharistic reflection, and spiritual renewal as they prepare to commemorate six decades of faith, evangelization, and pastoral service in the archdiocese.
Speaking after the reception of the icons, Flavia Ajok, a Christian of Gulu Cathedral Parish, expressed her joy at welcoming the sacred symbols to Gulu Vicariate.
“We are excited to welcome the icons. We feel that their presence will help us stand firm in our faith as Christians, strengthen our prayers, and bring us closer to God,” she said.
Meanwhile, Catechist Geoffrey Anywar of Christ the King Atanga Parish highlighted the importance of the Monstrance and its role in deepening devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
He explained that the pilgrimage of the Monstrance is a call for Christians to strengthen their relationship with Christ through Eucharistic adoration and prayer. “The icons are moving well across the parishes. Their pilgrimage is a call for spiritual renewal, encouraging the faithful to transform their lives and grow stronger in faith,” he said.
The Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish and Episcopal Vicar of Gulu Vicariate Monsignor Cyprian Ocen P’Akec said the Diamond Jubilee preparations should inspire genuine spiritual renewal among Christians.
He urged the faithful to use the period to deepen their relationship with Christ through the Holy Eucharist and reflect on the life of St. Joseph, whose statue is part of the Jubilee icons visiting parishes across the vicariate.
“We welcome these symbols of faith in our vicariate. This will be a period for us to come together with Christ through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and reflect on the life of St. Joseph, who will visit our parishes accordingly. We should allow this celebration to bring transformation in our lives and help us become better Christians and good people in our communities,” he said.
The Jubilee icons are currently at Atiak Parish, where they will spend one week before continuing their journey to other parishes within Gulu Vicariate.
From Atiak, the icons will proceed to Pabo Parish, Amuru Parish, Alero Parish, and Anaka Parish, before moving to Koch Goma Parish, Lacor Parish, Layibi Parish, and Palenga Parish.
The pilgrimage will later continue to Minakulu-Bobi Parish, Odek Parish, Atede Parish, Piacho Parish, Awach Parish, and Lukome Parish. The icons will then visit St. Mauritz Parish, Holy Rosary Parish, and Holy Cross Parish, before finally arriving at Gulu Cathedral Parish.
According to Monsignor Cyprian, several other initiatives are planned as part of the Archdiocese’s preparations for the Diamond Jubilee. These include the construction of the Grottos of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary at Gulu Cathedral, the construction of the Archdiocesan Administration Block, the installation of the Stations of the Way of the Cross around the Gulu Cathedral perimeter, and the erection of a large cross at the For God Centre.
He also emphasized the importance of promoting self-reliance among Christians and protecting the environment through tree planting, among other initiatives.
The journey of the Jubilee icons across Gulu Vicariate is expected to unite Christians in prayer and reflection as the Archdiocese of Gulu prepares to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee in 2027.