By Prof. Vincent Bagire
In the article for August 2022, I wrote about the Y.C.S – The Young Christian Students movement. I had last written about it in the Leadership magazine twenty five years ago. I will make this piece a rejoinder to the previous one. I begin with a quick reminder to all reading this that Leadership Magazine started as a newsletter for YCS in Layibi College, Gulu. This history of 1956 is almost lost. In the past, many years of my leadership of the YCS at National level through the 1990’s, celebrating symbols of the Movement was a countrywide obligation. Cardinal Joseph Cardjin, the founder of the YCS and YCW; and nationally, Fr. Albert Fleskins, WF, the one who introduced the YCS in Uganda, starting at St. Mary’s College Kisubi on the third Saturday of September 1956 are symbols to celebrate. I wrote my first article in Leadership through the YCS in 1985. I have since published hundreds of articles in each issue of Leadership.
This could be celebrated as a symbol of outstanding contribution. This is what makes organizations meaningful to their mission. Celebrating organizational icons in form of personalities, events, symbols, dates and images knits people together. It enhances the principle of managing through story telling. The trigger for this article comes mid-July as we gathered for Mass to celebrate the life of Fr. Paul Serra, MCCJ former National Youth Chaplain, who left a mark of apostolate on many of us through YCS, YCW, Xavierians and other associations. He passed on in 2005 and annually, a group has kept the symbol. I know that the Legionaries, the Focolare, Seminaries, Schools and several other Church institutions celebrate various symbols of their Apostolates.
In management terms, this cements organizational culture, which is a set of values, beliefs, practices, customs or traditions. The symbols bind together members of the organization. They determine and shape the aspirations that are pursued. Some organizations use these celebrations to mark key milestones in the year of operation. For instance, in the YCS, this is climaxed on what is called a Flag Day that is celebrated countrywide. Such organizational ceremonies become key calendar days. It is one way that could build cohesion among employees; drive commitment and build psychological contract among staff. It is a perfect way of harmonizing member diversity.
Thus, the event at which am writing this is such a mark of belonging; drawing past experiences and remembering Fr. Serra’s presence. In one of his landmark quotes, he used to say that: For You I am a Chaplain; with you am a Friend”. The celebration of this symbol motivates current chaplains. It inspires the leaders of the Movement. Fr. Serra served as National Chaplain from 1988 to around 1997. He left the country for assignments in Rome. He returned in 2004 and barely two years later, died after a short illness.
During his chaplaincy, he reached out to many youth countrywide; inspired and spiritually accompanied all selflessly. He made a great touch to the character formation of many youth. Youth therefore need to be accompanied and guided along the path of career growth. In management, young employees need to be mentored and supported as they create their career path. Likewise, in Church leadership, the work of the Chaplain and other youth animators is to accompany the young people in their spiritual and societal calling. When they have grown and are of high moral and societal standing, they will celebrate the journey of growth, attaching it to personalities who influenced them. This is the very reason Fr. Serra is celebrated among those he closely accompanied. He is a symbol of our Catholic formation through what he used to call small actions.
The Author is a, is a member of the Episcopal Commission for the Laity and Professor of Management at Makerere University Business School.
Email:vbagire@mubs.ac.ug
