Fr. Ronald Alionzi a Comboni Missionary from Uganda, shares his vocational journey from humble beginnings and personal loss to priesthood and mission in South Africa.
My story began in Kampala, where I was born the third of three children in my family. Like many African families, ours was grounded in faith, simplicity and hope. However, life took a difficult turn when we lost our mother.
This marked a profound shift in our lives. We relocated to Arua in the north-west of the country. First, we were raised by our grandmother, whose wisdom and quiet strength sustained us. Later, we were cared for by our aunt, who took on this responsibility despite her own limited means.
Those years were not easy. We learned from an early age what it meant to struggle, to go without and to rely on the kindness of others. Yet even in hardship, there was grace. It was in this environment that the seeds of faith were deeply planted in my heart.
My vocational journey began quietly. In 2000, I received my First Holy Communion, which marked the start of a new chapter in my spiritual life. Soon after that, I became an altar server. Serving at Mass every morning became more than just a duty. It became a space of encounter. It was in the silence of the early hours and the rhythm of liturgical life that I began to feel a deep and persistent desire to become a priest.
However, this desire remained hidden within me. I was fully aware of my family’s situation. Having lost both parents and having been raised in a household with very limited financial resources, I knew that joining the seminary would require funds that we simply did not have.
My aunt could barely afford to provide us with daily meals, and we had to work hard and be creative to cover any additional expenses. So, I kept my dream to myself, nurturing it quietly through prayer.
As an altar boy, my dedication was noticed. People encouraged me to attend the minor seminary, including a priest. One morning, after heavy rain, I was the only altar server at Mass. After the celebration, he asked me to write my name down for the seminary.
These affirmations encouraged me to apply. Despite performing well in my Primary Leaving Exams, I could not proceed due to lack of financial support. It was painful. It felt like the door had closed. But in hindsight, it was not the end. It was simply a delay.
When I was unable to join the seminary, I enrolled at a nearby secondary school that had just opened. It was affordable and close to home. In order to pay my school fees, I sold some of the animals I was rearing, which was a small but significant sacrifice. Later, during the holidays, I sought employment at a printing press run by a priest.
This opportunity allowed me to earn an income to support my education. Through hard work and determination, I completed my Uganda Certificate of Education (Senior Four). At this point, it seemed as though my life was heading in a different direction.
After excelling in my exams, I was awarded a scholarship to study at a renowned Anglican school, which was known for its strength in the sciences. There, I studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Gradually, however, my dream of becoming a priest began to fade. A new ambition took its place: I wanted to become an engineer. This seemed more realistic and attainable, given my circumstances. Yet God’s call is never easily silenced.
During my time at this new school, a Catholic chaplain would visit on Sundays to celebrate Mass. He invited students interested in the priesthood to accompany him and receive his guidance. This invitation reignited the fire within me. I realised that my vocation had not disappeared; it had simply been waiting for the right moment.
With his help, we met various religious congregations, including the Jesuits, the Comboni Missionaries and the White Fathers. Initially, I felt drawn to the Jesuits and applied to join them. They responded positively and invited me to join them. At the same time, I had been accepted at university. Then came another decisive moment.
My parish priest, who was a Comboni Missionary, encouraged me to consider joining the Comboni Missionaries instead. His words carried weight. I discerned deeply and eventually chose to follow his advice. Looking back, I see this as a moment of grace. Sometimes, God speaks through the voices of those who guide us. In 2011, I entered the postulancy of the Comboni Missionaries in Jinja, Uganda.
My journey of formation began in earnest. I studied philosophy at the Queen of Apostles Philosophy Centre in Jinja, Uganda, graduating in 2014. I then moved on to the Uganda Martyrs Novitiate in Namanve, where I took my first vows on 30 April 2016. I was then sent to the scholasticate of St Daniel Comboni in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, to pursue my theological studies.
Interestingly, my formation journey was relatively smooth. I did not encounter many significant challenges. I believe this is because the call was truly from God. When God initiates something, he sustains it.
On 4 September 2021, I was ordained as a priest. It was a moment of immense joy and gratitude, and the fulfilment of a journey that had begun in silence and uncertainty. Due to my positive experience during my training in South Africa, I requested to serve my first mission there. My request was granted.
I returned to South Africa in October 2021 and began learning the Sepedi language in Glen Cowie, within the Witbank Diocese. Shortly after, I was entrusted with pastoral responsibilities in Holy Family Parish Waterval, and later served as Assistant Parish Priest in Maria Assumpta Parish, Acornhoek for two years. In November 2024, I was appointed Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish Mashishing, where I currently serve a vibrant and loving Christian community.
Reflecting on my journey, one truth stands out clearly: it was never just me walking this path. It was God walking with me. There were moments of doubt, limitation, and impossibility. But each time, God made a way.