The Soroti Catholic Diocese has announced that this year’s Catechists’ Day celebrations will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, and will take place simultaneously at all parish levels across the diocese.
This means that each parish will celebrate with its own catechists on the same day, honoring and appreciating their service to the Church and community.
The announcement was made by Rev. Fr. Daniel Oreet, the diocesan catechists coordinator in the Soroti Catholic Diocese.
“We thank all the people of God for the support they offer to our catechists, materially, spiritually, financially, and in all other aspects,” Fr. Oreet said. “We call upon everyone to continue mobilizing and supporting our catechists generously with various gifts.”
Fr. Oreet further explained that 2025 being a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, the diocesan level Catechists’ Day celebration will not take place as it traditionally does.
Instead, it will be replaced with pilgrimages to significant religious sites including Namugongo, Munyonyo and Paimol.
“This year, our diocesan focus will shift towards these pilgrimages, which hold deep spiritual significance,” he noted.
“However, parish level celebrations will go ahead to ensure catechists are still honored for their invaluable service.”
Fr. Oreet outlined the main purposes of celebrating Catechists’ Day, urging the faithful to participate actively and meaningfully.
He encouraged Christians to:
Identify and honour the catechist who has personally impacted their Christian life.
Prepare a gift or token of appreciation for those who have guided them through sacraments and faith formation.
Show gratitude to all catechists at both parish and diocesan levels, recognizing their significant role in spiritual growth and community faith-building.
“These men and women work tirelessly, often without much public recognition, to ensure that the faith is taught, nurtured and lived in our communities,” Fr. Oreet emphasized.
“It is only fitting that we dedicate a day to thank them and pray for their continued mission.”
Catechists are lay men and women entrusted with the role of teaching and deepening the faith of Catholics, especially in rural parishes and communities where priests may not always be present.
They prepare candidates for the sacraments, lead liturgical celebrations in the absence of priests, and serve as a vital bridge between the Church hierarchy and the faithful.
His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach, Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the role of catechists in the evangelizing mission of the Church. Reflecting on past celebrations, he recalled the joy and unity witnessed during the previous year’s diocesan and parish level Catechists’ Day events.
“We give thanks for the Catechists’ Day celebration we had last year, both at parish and diocesan levels,” Bishop Eciru said.
“It was a moment of gratitude, prayer and renewed commitment to our shared mission of spreading the Gospel.”
The bishop called upon Christians to maintain the same spirit of unity and thanksgiving this year, even as celebrations are held at the parish level.
He reminded the faithful that supporting catechists is a direct way of strengthening the Church’s mission of evangelization.
The September 27 celebration is expected to feature parish Masses, prayers for catechists, presentations of gifts and moments of public recognition.
Many parishes are already mobilizing to ensure that the day is both festive and spiritually uplifting.
The parish pastoral councils together the Christian community have been encouraged to take an active role in preparing for the day, ensuring that no catechist is left unrecognized. Some parishes are also planning cultural performances and communal meals to make the event a memorable occasion for all.
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