Laudato Voices | Adolf Mukasa Tibeyalirwa Ludigo | January 24, 2026

Theme: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged” (Joshua 1:9)

As the Fort Portal Diocese prepares for the pilgrimage to Katoosa, the birthplace of our revered patron Adolf Mukasa Tibeyalirwa Ludigo, we unite in prayer to thank God for the gift of the faith of the Uganda Martyrs  (St. Adolf and his companions). Moving along the greater Tooro roads, you will be inspired by the multitude of people, women, and men walking carrying nothing much for the journey but water. I have come to learn that this journey is not only a physical movement toward a holy place, but a profound spiritual return to the roots of courage, faith, and simplicity exemplified in the life of St. Adolf.

The theme derived by the diocese from the word of Scripture, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9), invites us, especially the youth, to draw strength from the example of Saint Adolf who reminds us that holiness is born from nurturing a devotion to God and God will give us courage to witness to his word even in the face uncertanity and sacrifice. Like Adolf, be strong and courageous, overcoming fear and standing for what we believe.  

Celebrating the Legacy of a Saint for Our Land and People

Saint Adolf Mukasa Tibeyalirwa Ludigo, whom I celebrate as a personal patron saint, stands as a witness to Gospel courage. Revered as the patron saint of herdsmen and farmers, his legacy in Tooro connects to the land, livelihoods, and Uganda’s ecological heritage. This matters to all who celebrate the Martyr ecology witness. At Laudato Youth, we often explore Faith and Ecology through the Witness of the Uganda Martyrs, shown by St. Adolf. At a time when caring for creation is urgent in the church and the world, Saint Adolf’s life speaks prophetically. He calls us to protect and nurture the earth that sustains us.

His witness exemplifies the dignity of rural communities, those who till the land, tend animals, and live closely with nature. In honoring him, the Church also honors the sacred relationship between humanity, creation, and God. This makes Saint Adolf a guiding light for ecological stewardship and a natural patron for the Laudato Youth initiatives that seek to create harmony between faith and the environment (Integral Ecology)

Courage, Faith, and the Laudato Youth Initiative

The Laudato Youth Initiative draws inspiration from the courage and faith of Saint Adolf. He stood firm in truth, trusted God, and was willing to give his life for his faith. His life inspires many young people in Fort Portal Diocese seeking to live out Laudato Si’. Saint Adolf is more than a spiritual figure. He challenges us to be bold, devoted, and faithful stewards of creation.

Through reflections on the life of St. Adolf, devotional prayers, ecological actions, and community outreach, we at Laudato Youth Initiative continue to witness how Saint Adolf’s example encourages young people to respond courageously to today’s challenges: environmental degradation, social injustice, and the search for peace.

True peace, as Saint Adolf’s life teaches us, is not the absence of struggle but the presence of God in suffering. His courage was rooted not in violence or fear, but in faith and love for God. Our world faces conflict, social, political, and ecological. His witness calls us to be peacemakers rooted in justice, faith, and care for creation.

By embracing the call to “be strong and courageous,” we are invited to actively reject fear, division, and despair. Let us commit ourselves beginning today to becoming instruments of peace in our families, our communities, and our nation. Let each of us take practical steps, supported by faith and the courage of Saint Adolf, to build unity and healing wherever we are.

Over time, the Laudato Youth Initiative has produced reflections, prayers, and educational writings that connect the life of Saint Adolf to contemporary ecological and social concerns. These writings emphasize:
• His relevance as a model of faith-based ecological responsibility
• His solidarity with farmers and herdsmen is a sign of respect for creation and rural life
• His courage is a foundation for youth leadership and peace
• His witness as a call to integrate faith, justice, peace, and care for our common home

These reflections continue to nurture a generation of young Catholics who see holiness not only in prayer but also in action, protecting the environment, promoting peace, and standing firm in faith.

As Fort Portal Diocese journeys toward Katoosa, may this pilgrimage not only renew our courage and deepen our faith, but also fuel our resolve to take concrete action for peace and for the care of creation. Let us commit to daily choices, no matter how small, that advance the legacy of Saint Adolf Mukasa Tibeyalirwa Ludigo. Trust always that the Lord our God walks beside us as we step forward courageously.