Northern Uganda endured decades of suffering during the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, a brutal conflict that devastated families and left thousands of children traumatized.

During this time, a small group of Catholic brothers opened the doors of their damaged building in Ngetta, Lira Diocese, and began to help:

• Former child soldiers
• Young mothers rescued from captivity
• Children affected by war
• Vulnerable youth searching for hope

Through prayer, education, and spiritual guidance, lives began to change.

Today, that same place is becoming the formation house of a new Catholic community: the Padre Pio Brothers.



A New Catholic Community Dedicated to Mercy

The Sons of St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio Brothers) are a young Catholic community serving in the Diocese of Lira in Northern Uganda.

In September 2025, the Bishop of Lira formally welcomed and blessed this new community as they begin forming young men for a life of prayer, service, and dedication to God.

Inspired by the spirituality of St. Padre Pio, their Official Statutes show a mission that is simple and powerful:

• Deep devotion to the Eucharist
• Encouraging confession and spiritual healing
• Serving the poor and the suffering
• Forming young men who want to give their lives to God

Through prayer, mercy, and service, the Padre Pio Brothers hope to bring the love of Christ to wounded communities and help rebuild lives in Northern Uganda.



Young Men Are Answering the Call

This is not a dream for the future. It is already happening.

Today the community includes:

• 15 brothers living in the formation house
• 10 young men preparing to join
• 6 brothers studying philosophy and theology
• 2 deacons preparing for priesthood

CARITAS For Children has been a Special Parter with the Padre Pio Brothers since the beginning, and we already have four seminarians sponsored in their formation house.

We hope the 10 young men (and even more) join the community, but the formation house is too small and in very poor condition to support them.



The building was acquired in 2008 during the war in Northern Uganda and has served many people over the years.

But today it is in urgent need of renovation.

Current conditions include:

• Leaking roof
• No ceiling boards
• Broken beds and furniture
• Overcrowded rooms
• Poor sanitation
• Limited study space

The house can currently hold only 15 brothers, even though many more are preparing to join.

Your support will help renovate the formation house by:

• Repairing the leaking roof
• Installing proper ceilings
• Improving sanitation facilities
• Providing beds and study spaces
• Expanding the house to welcome more brothers

This will create a peaceful home for prayer, study, and formation for future servants of the Church, and a place to welcome the poor and suffering, especially the youth. 

Your Gift Will Be Doubled

A generous donor has pledged $20,000 in matching funds

That means every dollar you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

But the match must be completed before Easter.

If we reach the goal ($20,000 raised + $20,000 matching gift) we'll have:

• $40,000 total to fully renovate and expand the formation house