MY PROFILE
Name: ACIRE ANTHONY
Date of Birth: 13th JUNE, 1989
Diocese: Gulu Archdiocese
Parish: Lacor Parish

SCHOOLS ATTENDED:
1997: P.1 Christ The King Demonstration P/S
1998-1999: P.2-P.3 Gulu Prison Primary School
2002-2005: P.4-P.7 Gulu Police Primary school(PLE)
2006-2009: Gulu High School(UCE)
2010-2011: St. John Paul II College, Gulu(UACE)
2012-2013: Orientation (Lukome Parish)
2013-2016: Katigondo National Seminary
2016-2017: PSY(Gulu Cathedral and Amuru Parish)
2017-2022: Kinyamasika National Seminary

VOCATION IS A MYSTERY
Dear friends, my vocation is a mystery. I did not admire any priest or religious person to become a servant
of God. I come from a broken family, my parents separated when I was 4yrs old and I went with my
mother. This was a blessing to me in disguise because staying with her deposited catholic faith in me, I
remember that before going to school in the morning she would first take me to the Church then I proceed
to school likewise in the evening she would take me for Rosary prayer in the Chapel before sleeping. This
practice impacted faith in my life and it was part of me as a young boy between 5-7yrs.

On Holy Thursday 2002 when I was in P.4, Headteacher by then Mrs. Pennina Lamunu sent us to go for
evening Mass at Holy Rosary Church. On reaching there, I sat in the front seat and when it came for the
time of washing catechists’ feets I admired it alot but above all, I felt more happiest and joyous when Fr.
Diego was raising the body and blood of Jesus Christ. That same joy and happiness comes back every
time I am for Holy Mass; I never shared my experience with anybody. I remember my daddy asking me
while taking me to Gulu High School, Anthony, what would you like to become in future? I told him
Electrical Engineer. On reaching the school and on the third week, I was elected to be Publicity Secretary
General for YCS and from that day onwards my name changed from Anthony to catechist. Everybody
calls me catechist. Little did I know I was going to be a true catechist, a priest.

Later on, I joined UACE at St. John Paul II College, Gulu in 2010. There I was in the vocations’ team,
YCMG and the Alter Servant Forum. One day, Fr. Ochola Robert Comboni Priest asked the congregation
who are those who want to become Priests? It was not easy for me to say here l am. But, at last l got up
and went to him together with a friend, Sem. Obita Walter Mark. Fr. Ochola Robert prayed over us and
blessed us at the Holy Altar and later on I introduced myself to Rev. Fr. David Kolo Masaba Chaplaincy
of the College. One and half year later, I called Fr. Kolo David that I passed UACE and he started
arranging for my admission for the orientation course. However, my father was not willing to let me go
straight to the Seminary. He said,“Anthony, I am taking you to any university as long as you will be
admitted. First, finish a course and if you want to be a priest, you can still join.” I refused and started
sending me to my elder brothers, and relatives for advise. All in all I said no to my dad but in silence; I
went on arranging with Fr. Kolo underground till one day on Friday Evening, Fr. Kolo came and got me
while my mum was around and took me along with him in the Parish. I called my dad on reaching there
that for me I am in the parish staying with Fr. Kolo to become a priest and he replied, my son, do not
bring shame on us.

Now another storm comes when joining the major seminary. My name was not shortlisted, and I had
nothing to do completely. Do you know what? My curiate Fr. Mario Otii went to the Archbishop and told
him about my state and asked why I was not admitted to the Seminary. The Archbishop did not answer
him but instead picked the phone and called straight way the Rector of Katigondo Seminary informing
him that he was sending a candidate from Gulu Archdiocese. I tell you my dear readers God is merciful
and great, I joined Katigondo Seminary without an admission form. As if that was not enough another
bigger temptation came my way on 17th November, 2019. I got seriously ill and it was at the end of first
semester year three. I remember telling the infirmary, Sem. Kavumba Solomon, I am dying anytime from
now; I was taken to Virika hospital but later referred to Nsambya hospital for a brain scan. But on
reaching there thanks be to God! I got Dr. Murugi took very good care of me medically till the time came
for my discharge. Dr. Murugi and Dr. Raymonds God bless you! They found out that the veins which
send oxygen from the lung to the heart were blocked and they were surprised that I fainted three times
but survived death before going there. Dr. Murugi said let me quote her own words, ‘Anthony, God still
loves you so much and he has a big project for you, because those who could faint because of blood clot it
is very rare that they survive. Do not leave God for any reason.”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, that was my journey to priesthood till I was ordained on 17th April,
2021 as a deacon by His Grace Archbishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Baptist Odama at St. Joseph’s
Cathedral at 11:45am and 30th July,2022 today, Archbishop ordains me as a priest in the order of
Melchizedek. My vocation is really a mystery up to now for me. Pray for me as I pray for you all.
Rev. FR. Anthony Acire