The Headmistress of Immaculate Heart Girls School- Nyakibale Rukungiri Sr. Tumusiime Sabina and with fellow 41 Faithful pilgrims of Kabale Diocese had a devotional pilgrimage to the Holy Lands in Portugal and Spain. Kabale land is known not only for its natural beauty but more so for its people’s deep-rooted Catholic faith. With Immaculate Heart Girls’ School at the Centre of Diocese for moulding God abiding ladies for His work to be accomplished on this planet, Sister Tumusiime Sabina the current headmistress is entrusted with this responsibility.More than an educator, Sr. Sabina is a spiritual mother with her heart ever addicted with the love for God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Most Holy Trinity. Under her guidance, Immaculate Heart Girls’ School has become not just an institution of learning, but a sanctuary of prayer, holiness, and Marian devotion.
Daily Mass, frequent Confession, the praying of the Holy Rosary, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and regular catechesis have become the pulse of the school community. Religious movements flourish under her care.Legion of Mary,Focolare, Young Christian Students (YCS), Youth Alive,The living Rosary, The Divine Mercy and other apostolic groups are vibrant and alive. Sacraments are not merely received but also celebrated, honored, and lived.
Candle and building
A Journey of the Soul Pilgrimage 2025
Sr Sabina Tumusiime and The chaplain Rev Fr Cleophas Mugabe organised the staff members to Kibeho, Rwanda, the site of the approved Marian apparitions known as “Our Lady of Sorrows”,
She also supported student pilgrimages to the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo this year 2025 for youth Conference on Uganda Martyrs Day Eve.
Sr. Sabina and a fervent team of 42 pilgrims from Kabale Diocese embarked on a greater spiritual journey To Our Lady Fátima Portugal and Rome in Italy. As Pilgrims of Hope, their journey began on 2nd October at 1:30am, flying via Doha to Lisbon, Portugal.
As Pilgrims of Hope, we were deeply blessed to journey to Fátima, Portugal, where Our Lady appeared in 1917 to Saints Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia. At the sacred Cova da Iria, we reverently prayed the Rosary, joined candlelit processions, and knelt at the tombs of the holy visionaries.
The Wonders and marvels at Our a Lady of Fátima in Portugal
In 1917, in the village of Fátima, Portugal, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three humble shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. Known as Our Lady of Fátima, Blessed Mary delivered a powerful message of prayer, repentance, and peace. Calling herself the “Lady of the Rosary,” she urged daily Rosary prayer, sacrifice for sinners, and consecration to her Immaculate Heart. She revealed three secrets: a vision of hell, a warning of global war and communism, and a prophetic vision of Church persecution. The children embraced suffering for others; Francisco and Jacinta died young, while Lucia became a nun.
Fátima remains a symbol of hope, reminding the world that, despite suffering, Mary’s Immaculate Heart will triumph, bringing peace through faith and conversion.
From Portugal Our next sacred destination was Rome, Italy. We arrived at Lisbon Airport in Portugal to catch a connecting flight through Barcelona, Spain, as we continued our blessed pilgrimage toward the Eternal City.
At Barcelona in Spain, every process continued to be very smooth. We caught the flight to Rome Italy
In Italy, we stood in awe at Freedom Square, where we gathered beneath the open sky to receive the Pope’s blessing—a moment of grace we’ll never forget. We wandered through Rome’s sacred wonders, then found deep peace at the Rotunda of Padre Pio, where silence spoke louder than words and faith stirred within us like a quiet, burning flame.
We visited the Vatican, venerated the relics of saints, and explored sacred basilicas hence deepening our faith through the rich spiritual heritage of the Eternal City.
In Italy, we changed getting deeply the spiritual journey to San Giovanni Rotondo. This is the home to the sacred remains of Padre Pio Saint Padre Pio was a humble Italian priest, mystic, and stigmatist, known for deep prayer, miraculous healings, and spiritual guidance, inspiring countless souls toward faith, repentance, and closeness to God.
In this peaceful sanctuary, miracles feel near, prayers feel heard, and hearts are stirred. The serene atmosphere, infused with Padre Pio’s legacy of faith and healing, offers powerful spiritual renewal, drawing pilgrims closer to God through reflection, reverence, and divine connection. Padre Pio pray for us.
With hearts full of devotion, we embarked on a sacred pilgrimage to three profound holy sites.
First, we knelt in reverence at the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel on Monte Sant’Angelo, where the Prince of Heaven appeared to defend souls from evil—his presence still palpable in the grotto’s silence.
Next, we beheld the Eucharistic Miracle at the Basilica of Lanciano, where bread and wine were divinely transformed into true Flesh and Blood, a powerful testament to Christ’s enduring presence in the Sacrament.
Finally, we venerated the Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto, miraculously transported by angels, the humble dwelling of the Virgin Mary where the Word became flesh.
A Pilgrimage of Grace to the Tomb of St. Paul
We also visited the Tomb of St. Paul in Rome, Italy, nestled within the magnificent Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four great papal basilicas of the Eternal City. Standing before the resting place of the Apostle to the Gentiles, we were deeply moved by the serene atmosphere and the sacred silence that seemed to whisper centuries of faith and devotion.
The marble sarcophagus, believed to contain the remains of St. Paul the Apostle, lies beneath the grand altar — a powerful reminder of his total courage, tireless missionary work, and profound love for Christ. The golden mosaics, the fragrance of incense, and the gentle light filtering through the ancient arches filled our hearts with reverence and awe.
As we knelt in prayer, we felt an overwhelming sense of peace, renewal, and blessing. It was as if the same divine zeal that strengthened St. Paul on his journeys touched our souls, inspiring us to carry the Gospel with renewed faith, humility, and purpose. Truly, it was a moment of spiritual awakening, where heaven and earth seemed to meet in quiet harmony.
A Visit to the First Basilica in Rome — St. John Lateran
During our spiritual journey, we also visited the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the first and oldest basilica in Rome, often called the “Mother and Head of all Churches in the City and in the World.” This magnificent church, officially known as the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist at the Lateran, stands as a symbol of the enduring faith of the Catholic Church and the unity of believers across the globe.
Built in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine, St. John Lateran is the cathedral of the Pope, serving as the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome. Its vast interior glows with golden mosaics, towering marble columns, and awe-inspiring statues of the twelve apostles — each one a silent guardian of faith and history.
As we walked through its sacred halls, we were struck by the overwhelming sense of holiness and antiquity. The atmosphere was rich with centuries of prayer and devotion. Standing before the high altar, where only the Pope celebrates Mass, we felt humbled and blessed — a deep connection to the roots of Christianity itself.
It was a visit that stirred both heart and soul, reminding us that faith is not merely a tradition of the past, but a living flame that continues to shine brightly through time. Truly, St. John Lateran is not just a church; it is the heart of Christian heritage, where heaven’s grandeur meets humanity’s faith.
A Visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major — A Shrine of the Blessed Mother
Our pilgrimage also led us to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, one of the four great papal basilicas and the largest church in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This sacred site, glowing with artistic beauty and divine serenity, is a place where every visitor feels the tender presence of the Mother of God.
Built in the 5th century, the basilica stands as a timeless testimony to Mary’s role as the Mother of the Church. Beneath its golden ceiling and magnificent mosaics lies a deeply treasured relic — a piece of the wooden crib said to have held the Infant Jesus in Bethlehem. Praying before this holy relic fills one’s heart with awe and gratitude, as if kneeling at the manger itself.
The basilica also holds a special place in modern Church history, for it is here that Pope Francis requested to be buried, showing his profound devotion to Our Lady. Many popes, saints, and pilgrims through the centuries have knelt in the same aisles, seeking her intercession and maternal protection.
As we prayed within its radiant chapels, we felt wrapped in Mary’s motherly love and peace. It was a deeply moving moment — one that stirred our hearts with hope, gratitude, and renewed faith. Truly, St. Mary Major is not just a masterpiece of architecture but a spiritual haven, where heaven touches earth through the gentle heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In awe and gratitude, we carry home the grace of these divine encounters, forever changed.
All in all, this pilgrimage has been far more than a journey measured in distance or time.it has been a sacred journey of the heart, a profound offering of faith, thanksgiving, and intercession.
Under the maternal and spiritual guidance of Sr. Sabina, each step invited deep reflection on the mysteries of divine love, the sorrowful yet Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the urgent call to holiness in everyday life. This sacred odyssey becomes a radiant light for Immaculate Heart Girls’ School, Kabale Diocese, and Uganda at large. The graces drawn from Fátima, Kibeho, and Rome now return, sanctifying classrooms, homes, and hearts with heavenly blessing.
In the End, My Immaculate Heart will triumph