Saturday, 10 September 2016

Weddings Uganda style

today, Saturday 10 September 2016, Nebbi Cathedral was host to the wedding 0f Collins Kerpou and Proscovia Agwokotho.  It was a wonderful Nuptial Mass before a packed congregation of family, friends and parishioners.  As with funerals, weddings are an occasion for the whole community to come together and show their love and support.

The Cathedral was ablaze with colours and the atmosphere was filled with dance and singing.  However, as the centre was a young couple clearly deeply in love and determined to profess their love for each other before God, Father Albert Oromcan (parish priest here at the Cathedral and former school friend of Collins), family and friends.
 

The music was very Ugandan and included traditional tribal pipes and church music (even some Latin!) and an interesting hymn to welcome the bride set to Mendelsohn's Bridal March (not sure that it will catch on at home).  Unlike weddings at home, the bride and groom did not formally "present" themselves before Father Albert until after the Liturgy of the Word (i.e. after the scripture readings and Father's homily).  they were then both called forward and escorted by family and friends came before the altar.  Thereafter the Nuptial Mass was similar to at home.

At the end of Mass, the couple signed the Marriage Register and there was the obligator presentation of certificates, including a Papal Blessing from Pope Francis,

 
Leaving the Cathedral a little over three hours after the Nuptial Mass commenced, I wondered how many complaints would have been voiced at home if the marriage service had lasted so long.  It didn't feel like I was there for three hours as the service was filled with great joy and reverence.
 
Ad multos annus Collins and Procovia!

 


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