PREAMBLE

1. The Divine Call and Spiritual Foundation

We, the members of the St. Thérèse the Little Flower Apostolate, inspired by the Holy Spirit, present this Constitution as our covenant of faith and service. This Apostolate arises in direct response to the call from the Holy See's Congregation for the Clergy for "Spiritual Motherhood for the Sanctification of Priests." Recognizing that the Church's vitality rests on the holiness of her ministers, this Apostolate welcomes both spiritual mothers and fathers—including the laity, consecrated persons, diocesan clergy, and religious congregations—into a shared, hidden vocation of prayer, penance, and intercession.

2. Heavenly Patronage

In the fulfillment of our hidden mission, the Apostolate places itself under the powerful intercession and guidance of three Heavenly Patrons:

3. Historical Background and Evolution

The seed of this Apostolate was sown in the quiet, private devotion of Ms. Marie Jeanne Kembabazi, who faithfully championed this intercessory mission individually for twenty-one (21) years. Moving as the Spirit led, she shared this vision with fellow Christians who embraced the call. Together, they established the Founding Body of the Apostolate, comprising:

• Ms. Marie Jeanne Kembabazi (Initiator)
• Ms. Natalia Atalo (Soroti Diocese)
• Ms. Patricia Atukunda (Nsambya Parish, Kampala Archdiocese)
• Mr. Denis Romano Tibenderana (Nsambya Parish, Kampala Archdiocese)
• Ms. Margaret Nyangweso (Christ the King Church, Kampala Archdiocese)
• Ms. Gaudy Kiconco (Kasenge Parish, Kampala Archdiocese)
• Mrs. Jane Nyanzi (Ggaba Parish, Kampala Archdiocese)
• Mr. Richard Othieno (Nsambya Parish, Kampala Archdiocese)
• Mr. Charles Ssentamu (Nsambya Parish, Kampala Archdiocese)

From these humble origins, the Apostolate has flourished into a vibrant spiritual family of three hundred and seven (307) members across various parishes. At the heart of our communal life is the weekly Eucharistic Adoration Cenacle, anchored at Nsambya Catholic Parish in the Archdiocese of Kampala. We express our profound and lasting gratitude to Rev. Fr. Joseph Ssemanda Balikudembe, the Parish Priest of Nsambya, who graciously provided the spiritual space to launch this Cenacle and continues to serve as our Fatherly guardian while we await the formal appointment of a Spiritual Director by the Archdiocese. Embracing an inclusive and far-reaching vision, the Apostolate provides spiritual resources to distant members unable to travel, empowering them to live out this exact charism through private prayer wherever they are.

4. Board of Governors

To safeguard the administrative integrity, ecclesiastical alignment, and spiritual governance of the Apostolate, a Board of Governors is hereby established. The Board provides strategic oversight, policy direction, and canonical fidelity, comprising the following members:

• Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ssebunya – YES Centre, Nsambya Catholic Parish, Kampala Archdiocese
• Rev. Fr. Alex Kambagira – St. Peter's Nsambya Parish, Kampala Archdiocese
• Rev. Sr. Scholastica – Prioress, Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (Kisumu, Kenya)
• Rev. Fr. John Paul Onyango – Chaplain, St. Joseph's Girls' S.S. Nsambya, Kampala Archdiocese
• Counsel Dora Mirembe – Legal Counsel, (Uganda Martyrs, Namugongo Parish) Kampala Archdiocese
• Mrs. Ann Bwengye – Member, (St. Agnes Makindye Parish) Kampala Archdiocese
• Mrs. Ann Gakere – Member, Kigali Archdiocese, Rwanda
• Ms. Mary Finian Arinda (St. Mbaaga Tuzinde Kiwatule Parish)

5. Core Mandate and Objectives

The principal aims of the St. Thérèse the Little Flower Apostolate are:

• Sanctification of Priests: To offer continuous prayers, sacrifices, and Eucharistic adoration for the holiness, protection, and fidelity of all priests and consecrated souls.
• Fostering Vocations: To intercede fervently for an increase in holy vocations to the priesthood and religious life, ensuring the future growth of Christ's Church.
• Acts of Reparation: To offer prayers, fasts, mortifications, and weekly Eucharistic adoration in a spirit of deep reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the sins, infidelities, coldness, and negligences committed against the priesthood, and for the healing of wounds inflicted upon Christ's Mystical Body.
• Spiritual Stewardship: To form the Catholic faithful into intentional spiritual mothers and fathers who shield the clergy through silent, constant intercession.

6. Mutual Spiritual Benefits

The fruitfulness of this charism enriches the entire mystical Body of Christ:

• Benefits for the Clergy: Priests and consecrated souls receive a fortified spiritual shield, enabling them to resist temptation, overcome pastoral burnout, grow in personal holiness, and experience the comforting supernatural support of a praying flock.
• Benefits for the Laity: Lay members grow deeply in holiness through regular Eucharistic adoration, cultivate a profound love for the Sacraments, discover a unique and hidden ecclesial vocation, and share intimately in the spiritual rewards and merits of the priestly ministries they sustain.

7. Submission for Formal Approval

Desiring to live out this charism in absolute ecclesial obedience, unity, and communion with the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church, we humbly submit this Constitution to the Ordinary of the Diocese. We pray for its formal ecclesiastical approval, canonical recognition, and the official appointment of a Spiritual Director to guide us in our mission to serve the Church, sanctify the clergy, and bring glory to Almighty God.