John Mary Lugemwa, OSB

Biography

Br. John Mary, 29 is a Benedictine Brother at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, Richmond, Virginia. At the Abbey and Benedictine High School, he serves as Assistant in the Finance Office and Webmaster. John Mary was born and raised in rural Masaka, south western Uganda. Prior to leaving homeland, John Mary completed his Advanced High School studies and spent a year doing some missionary work in Kenya with the Mill Hill Missionaries. He then enrolled at the Makerere University Law School in Uganda where he left off in his second year to pursue his calling to religious life. John Mary joined the Benedictines in Virginia where he started his monastic formation finishing up the program at Belmont Abbey in North Carolina.

In the spring of 2007, John Mary graduated from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota obtaining his B.A degrees in Computer Science and Philosophy. While at College, he started the Africa AIDS Service learning program. He worked with several students to organize a five weeks’ service trip to East Africa.  In Uganda and Kenya students work with AIDS organizations volunteering at orphanages, youth centers, AIDS clinics, and nutrition centers. In Rwanda the focus was on the post-genocide unity and reconciliations efforts. The university continues to send students to East Africa every year. Continuing with AIDS ministry, John Mary and few other students founded the Global AIDS Awareness organization, a student club aimed at raising HIV/AIDS awareness on campus and surrounding communities. During his college career John Mary was also involved with other organizations such as Amnesty International, Students for Life, International Affairs, and Joint Academic Board. He was student representative at the Academic Assessment Committee, Curricular and Academic Policies and Standards Committee, and the Curriculum Committee. He is also part of the College Leaders Program in AIDS ministry sponsored by Catholic Relief Services and National Catholic AIDS Network convening at the Loyola University in Chicago.

The passion for social justice and peace, together with his experience of growing up in a poor family inspired John Mary to co-found the Uganda Rural Fund USA, Inc (URF) together with several friends. He also initiated the establishment of the Hope Integrated Academy in Uganda. URF is a 501(c)(3)  grassroots non-profit organization aimed at creating educational and development opportunities for orphans, youth, and poor women in Uganda’s rural communities especially those most affected by the AIDS epidemic. Through the Hope Academy John Mary and his colleagues is making efforts to bring educational resources to rural Uganda through setting up a Community Library, Computer Center with access to the internet, and Science Center. The facility will also house a vocational school and medical clinic.

Recently, John Mary received the International Peace Award from Washington DC for his work with orphans, development in Africa, and AIDS awareness in the USA. In late 2006 he won the Peace and Justice award from the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation in Minnesota. At St. John’s University, he also won the Shared Vision Leadership award and the 2006 Excellence in Leadership Award.

Br. John Mary is currently enrolled at the St. Vincent Seminary, PA pursuing studies for an MA and STB in Theology leading to the priesthood. His current program is also a preparation for doctoral studies in Canon Law for which he hopes to use in service to religious orders and dioceses in the United States.