PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Father Hilaire Belizaire, pastor of St. Jerome Parish in East Flatbush, described the ordination of 10 Franciscan priests in Uganda as one of the most powerful experiences of his recent pilgrimage to Africa.  

He said the ordination Mass, which was held on July 26 and attended by at least 5,000 people, left a deep impression on him, especially the moment when the parents of the men being ordained processed with their sons to the altar. 

“One mother said to the bishop, ‘I offer you my only son for the service of the Church,’ and the whole church, everybody, clapped. Even the bishop himself,” Father Belizaire said. “I’m sure he kind of forgot about his homily and just focused on that generosity of this mother who gives her only child to God, for the service of the Church.  

“It was a beautiful thing.”  

The ordination lasted nearly six hours, which Father Belizaire had never experienced.  

“I enjoyed it. There was a lot of dancing and singing, and the people were just joyful. The people love their priests. They love their God,” he said. “The African Church is so alive, so much vibrant worship, and everybody’s involved, including the children.” 

In late July, Father Belizaire embarked on a three-week pilgrimage to Africa to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on June 3, 2000.  

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His ordination shares the date that 22 Ugandan martyrs — known as St. Charles Lwanga and Companions — were executed by King Mwanga II in 1886 for refusing to renounce their Christian faith and submit to his rule.  

His journey began with a visit to the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Basilica in Namugongo, just outside Kampala, where he celebrated Mass and toured the site where St. Charles Lwanga and 44 Ugandans were killed.  

“I learned how devoted St. Charles was to Christ, and his loyalty to [Him], he would never give that up and even gave up his life,” Father Belizaire said. “He influenced his companions not to give up on their faith as well.” 

On July 28, he visited a refugee camp for people from South Sudan. Father Belizaire described the environment as like that of his native country, Haiti. 

Ever since learning of the hardships people face in South Sudan, he said he has prayed for them every night. He decided to dedicate his 25th anniversary ordination Mass, held on June 3 at St. Jerome’s, to the refugees, asking parishioners and loved ones to donate what they can so he may send the money to the camp. 

Father Belizaire said one of the priests working at the refugee camp had informed the community of his upcoming visit. When he arrived, he was met with a warm and joyful welcome. The children had prepared a special song for him. 

“It was a great surprise, and it was an opportunity for me to tell them that I have been praying for them and that we are united in faith, in spirit,” Father Belizaire said. “They were singing, dancing, they were so happy.”  

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Ahead of his visit, Father Belizaire had sent half of a $4,500 donation to a local priest, who used the funds to purchase bags of rice, gallons of oil, cooking supplies, and soap. Upon arriving at the camp, Father Belizaire gave the rest of the donation directly to the priest assigned to work with the refugees. 

On July 30, Father Belizaire left Uganda to go to Tanzania and visited the Esperanza Nursery, where the students sat on the floor instead of at desks. While outside of school, the students speak their dialect, Swahili. In the school, they all speak English, which allowed him to better connect with them.   

“When I look at them, I see they are so eager to learn. They’re so open and take their education very seriously,” Father Belizaire said. “But they don’t really have the means.” 

On Aug. 1, he visited Good Shepherd Orphanage in Peramiho, Tanzania, operated by one of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Poor, and part of the ministries of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. The orphanage is a shelter for children born with albinism — a genetic condition that causes a lack of melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes.  

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In some communities, superstitions surrounding albinism have led to violence, with these children often being hunted, mutilated, or even killed for body parts, which are falsely believed to possess magical properties. 

“Anyone who has a child with [albinism], they would bring them to [the nun], and she would care for that child,” Father Belizaire explained. “They’re children who are 16 years old, 15 years old, but they’ve been there since they were born because the mother would not take the chance to keep the child before people come to kill the child.” 

Before leaving, the children did something Father Belizaire described as “beautiful.” As a show of appreciation for his visit, the children accompanied him to their Blessed Sacrament Chapel while singing. 

“The children brought a candle to me. I lit it up and placed it at the foot of the altar. It’s a 24-hour adoration and exposition … and they said they will keep the candle lit for me throughout the year,” Father Belizaire said. “It was such a beautiful experience, I was touched by that.” 

On Aug. 2, after spending the night at the orphanage, he celebrated Mass at St. Peter’s Parish in Tanzania before going to Kenya for a few days and returning to United States. As he reflected on the pilgrimage, he said it “was a return to the heart” of his vocation.  

“It deepened my gratitude,” Father Belizaire said,” and renewed my commitment to serve with joy.”