Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa

Today (20 October 2016) is the feast of two further Ugandan Martyrs - Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa.  Both were two young Ugandan catechists at the beginning of the 20th century. They belonged to the Acholi tribe and they lived and were martyred in the years immediately following the foundation of the mission of Kitgum by the Comboni Missionaries in 1915.

Daudi Okelo was born around 1902 in Ogom-Payira, a small village on the road Gulu-Kitgum. The son of pagan and at 14-16 years of age he attended the instruction to receive baptism. He was baptised by Fr. Cesare Gambaretto on 1 June 1916 and received his first holy communion on the same day and was confirmed on 15 October 1916. After completing his formation, Daudi accepted to be enrolled as a catechist.

Jildo Irwa was born around 1906 in the village of Bar-Kitoba, North-West of Kitgum, from pagan parents: Ato, his mother, and Okeny, his father who later became a Christian.  He was baptised by Cesare Gambaretto on 6 June 1916, at the age of between 10 and 12 years; on the same day he received his first Holy Communion and was confirmed on 15 October 1916. 

In early 1917, Antonio, the catechist in charge of Paimol, died. Daudi went to Fr. Cesare, then superior at the mission of Kitgum, offering to take Antonio's place. Daudi's appointment was announced in late 1917 and Jildo Irwa was to go with him as his assistant. Before setting off, the two of them went to Fr. Cesare who informed them of the difficulties of their work, like the long travelling distance as the village was about 80 km from Kitgum and, in particular, the frequent in-fights of the local people, instigated also by gangs of raiders and traders of slaves and gold, sporadically visiting the area. To all this Daudi is alleged to have answered: "I am not afraid to die. Jesus, too, died for us!" and Jildo repeated these words.

Each day, at dawn, Daudi beat the drum to call his catechumens for morning prayers and, for Jildo and himself, also for the Rosary. He taught them the prayers and the catechism's questions and answers, repeated often in a sign-song like manner during the lesson, to facilitate the memorising. It was a matter of teaching the first elements of faith, the so-called Lok-odiku (the words of the morning), namely the essential parts of the catechism. To this activity Daudi added the visits to the nearby small villages from where the catechumens were coming, busy during the day in assisting their parents to look after the cattle or work in the fields.  At sunset, Daudi gave the signal for common prayer and the Rosary, always closing with a song to Our Lady. On Sunday, he held a longer prayer service, often enlivened by the presence of catechumens and catechists of the area.

During the weekend of 18 to 20 October 1918, long before dawn, five people headed for the hut where Daudi and Jildo were staying with the clear intention of killing them. A village elder confronted the new comers telling them they were not allowed to kill the catechists, as they were his guests. Daudi appeared at the door of his hut and entreated the elder not to get involved. Then the intruders entered into Daudi's hut and insisted with him that he gave up teaching catechism. Realising that Daudi was not giving in to their threats, they dragged him outside, pushed him to the ground and pierced him with their spears. He was about 16-18 years old.

His body was then left unburied until a few days later some people, tying a rope around the neck, dragged the body over a nearby empty termite hill. The mortal remains, collected in February 1926, were later placed in the mission church of Kitgum, at the foot of the altar of the Sacred Heart.

Jildo showed the same determination as Daudi and challenged their attackers, "We have done nothing wrong. For the same reason you killed Daudi you must also kill me, because together we came here and together we have been teaching God's word". Having said this, somebody grabbed him, pushed him outside the hut and, placing him at a distance of two steps, pierced him through with a spear. Then one of them struck Jildo's head with a knife. He was about 12-14 years old.

The martyrdom of these two young catechists from Uganda is very meaningful for Uganda as tribal conflicts continue today. The two young lay catechists who together carried out and remained faithful to their assignment to spread the Gospel by words and deeds. Furthermore, by courageously accepting to move to a place outside the influence of their own ethnic clan, they have become in their environment a sign of the universal and apostolic Catholic Church.  Finally, having lived during a period of tribal fights, colonial interests and still flourishing domestic slavery, they represent the integrity of a Gospel that always protects and safeguards personal dignity and promotes peace among peoples, ethnic groups and cultures. For this, even today they are remembered in their land as Christ's true "witnesses by blood".

Lord, you enkindled in the hearts of the blessed catechists David and Jildo
an ardent desire to proclaim the Gospel,
and through their martyrdom strengthened the early growth of the Church in Uganda.
By their example, strengthen us in our faith,
and grant that we may share it with our brothers and sisters.
Through their intercession, give us the grace we need in this moment,
and may we all come to enjoy the fruits of your redemption.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

Amen