In this time of spreading God’s Word, many faithfuls in Uganda and across Africa desire to receive the Holy Mass in a language that is growing fast and native. After years when African languages were seldom used in worship, this guide helps believers follow the Mass in Kiswahili — learning the prayers, vocabulary and flow so that every Word of God is meaningful and every prayer touches the heart. Celebrate, understand and grow in faith through Kiswahili!
MSAMIATI WA MISA TAKATIFU (Kiswahili Vocabulary of the Holy Mass)
| A. WATU WAKUU KATIKA MISA | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Papa | Pope |
| Askofu Mkuu | Archbishop |
| Askofu | Bishop |
| Padri Mkuu | Monsignor / Senior Priest |
| Padri | Priest |
| Shemasi Mkuu | Senior Deacon |
| Shemasi | Deacon |
| Mkatoliki | Catholic faithful / Laity |
| Waumini | Congregation / Faithful |
| Katibu wa kanisa | Church Secretary |
| Kaimu Askofu | Auxiliary Bishop |
| Wasomaji | Lectors / Readers |
| Waimbaji | Choir members |
| Watumishi wa Altare | Altar servers |
| Mcheza kinanda | Organist / Pianist |
| Mkusanyaji wa sadaka | Usher / Collection assistant |
| Mfawidhi wa ibada / MC | Master of Ceremonies |
| Mchungaji wa vijana | Youth Minister |
| Mkristo wa huduma ya jamii | Lay Minister / Community service volunteer |
| B. SEHEMU ZA KANISA | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Altare | Altar |
| Madhabahu | Sanctuary |
| Kanisa kuu | Main Church / Cathedral |
| Benchi la waumini | Pew |
| Mimbari | Pulpit / Lectern |
| Sakristia | Sacristy |
| Kiti cha padri | Priest’s chair |
| Mlangoni mwa kanisa | Church entrance |
| Kikombe cha Komunyo | Communion chalice |
| Pateni | Paten (small plate for host) |
| C. MAVAZI NA VITU VITUMIKAVYO | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Vazi la padri / kanzu | Priest’s robe / cassock |
| Kanzu ya ndani | Alb |
| Mshipi wa kitambaa (Cincture) | Rope belt |
| Vazi la juu (Chasuble) | Outer vestment |
| Stola | Stole |
| Msalaba | Cross / Crucifix |
| Kikombe cha sadaka | Offering bowl |
| Kikombe cha Ekaristi | Chalice for Eucharist wine |
| Bakuli la hostia | Bowl for communion bread |
| Kitambaa cha altare | Altar cloth |
| Mvinyo | Wine |
| Maji ya matakatifu | Holy water |
| Uvumba | Incense |
| Taa za madhabahu | Altar candles |
| D. NYAKATI ZA MISA | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kuingia kwa padri | Entrance procession |
| Sala ya toba | Penitential prayer |
| Sala ya utukufu | Gloria |
| Somo la kwanza / la pili | First / Second reading |
| Wimbo wa injili | Gospel acclamation |
| Injili | Gospel |
| Mahubiri | Homily / Sermon |
| Kukiri imani | The Creed |
| Maombi ya waumini | Prayers of the faithful |
| Kutoa sadaka | Offertory |
| Sala ya Ekaristi | Eucharistic prayer |
| Sala ya Bwana | The Lord’s Prayer |
| Amani | Sign of peace |
| Komunyo takatifu | Holy Communion |
| Sala baada ya Komunyo | Prayer after Communion |
| Baraka ya mwisho | Final blessing |
| Kutolewa kwa amani | Dismissal |
| E. MAOMBI NA KAULI ZA KAWAIDA | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bwana awe nanyi | The Lord be with you |
| Na nawe pia, ee padri | And with your spirit |
| Bwana utuhurumie | Lord have mercy |
| Kristo utuhurumie | Christ have mercy |
| Tumshukuru Mungu | Thanks be to God |
| Sifa kwako, ee Kristo | Praise to you, O Christ |
| Utukufu kwa Mungu juu mbinguni | Glory to God in the highest |
| Baba yetu uliye mbinguni | Our Father who art in heaven |
| Amani iwe nawe | Peace be with you |
| Nawe pia | And with you |
| Amina | Amen |
| Aleluya | Hallelujah |
| Kwaheri | Goodbye / Farewell |
| Misa imekwisha, nendeni kwa amani | The Mass is ended, go in peace |
| F. NYINGINE ZINAZOHUSIANA NA IBADA | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ekaristi | Eucharist |
| Sadaka ya shukrani | Thanksgiving offering |
| Maandiko matakatifu | Holy Scriptures |
| Biblia | Bible |
| Mwanga wa Kristo | Light of Christ |
| Ubatizo | Baptism |
| Kipaimara | Confirmation |
| Ndoa takatifu | Holy Matrimony |
| Ibada ya mazishi | Funeral service |
| Neema | Grace |
| Rehema | Mercy |
| Msamaha | Forgiveness |
| Sala | Prayer |
| Wokovu | Salvation |
| Imani | Faith |
| Upendo | Love |
✝️ MPANGILIO WA MISA (The Order of Mass)
1. Wimbo wa Mwanzo (Opening Hymn)
Waumini wanaimba wimbo wa kumkaribisha Mungu, mfano:
🎵 “Karibu Roho Mtakatifu” au “Tumsifu Bwana Milele.”
2. Salamu ya Mwanzo (Greeting)
Padri: Kwa jina la Baba, na la Mwana, na la Roho Mtakatifu.
Waumini: Amina.
Padri: Neema ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, upendo wa Mungu Baba, na ushirika wa Roho Mtakatifu viwe nanyi daima.
(The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.)
Waumini: Na pia nawe. (And with your spirit.)
3. Sala ya Toba (Penitential Prayer)
Padri: Ndugu zangu, tumwombe Mungu atusamehe dhambi zetu ili tuwe safi kuadhimisha mafumbo matakatifu.
Waumini:
Nakiri mbele ya Mungu Mwenyezi,
na mbele zenu ndugu zangu,
kwamba nimetenda dhambi sana
kwa mawazo, kwa maneno, kwa matendo,
na kwa kuacha kutenda mema.
Kwa hiyo naomba Bikira Maria daima,
malaika na watakatifu wote,
na ninyi ndugu zangu,
mniombee kwa Mungu Bwana wetu.
Padri: Mungu Mwenyezi na atuhurumie, atusamehe dhambi zetu na kutupeleka uzimani wa milele.
Waumini: Amina.
4. Wimbo wa Utukufu (Gloria)
Waumini wote:
Utukufu kwa Mungu juu mbinguni,
Na amani duniani kwa watu wenye mapenzi mema.
Tunakusifu, tunakubariki, tunakuabudu,
Tunakutukuza, tunakushukuru kwa utukufu wako mkuu,
Ee Bwana Mungu, Mfalme wa Mbinguni,
Mungu Baba Mwenyezi.
Ee Bwana Yesu Kristo, Mwana wa pekee wa Mungu,
Ee Mwanakondoo wa Mungu,
Uliyemwondoa dhambi za dunia,
Utuhurumie sisi;
Uliyemwondoa dhambi za dunia,
Upokee maombi yetu;
Uliyeketi kuume kwa Baba,
Utuhurumie sisi.
Kwa maana wewe peke yako ni Mtakatifu,
Wewe peke yako ni Bwana,
Wewe peke yako ni Aliye Juu,
Yesu Kristo, pamoja na Roho Mtakatifu,
Katika utukufu wa Mungu Baba.
Amina.
5. Sala ya kutangulia (Opening Prayer)
(This prayer changes according to the liturgical day. Example below for Sunday Mass.)
Padri: Tuombe.
Ee Mungu Mwenyezi, umetukusanya leo kuabudu jina lako takatifu. Tunakuomba utuongoze kwa Roho wako, ili yote tunayoyafanya yawe kwa utukufu wako. Kupitia Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, Mwanao, aishiye na kutawala pamoja nawe katika umoja wa Roho Mtakatifu, Mungu milele na milele.
Waumini: Amina.
6. Liturujia ya Neno (Liturgy of the Word)
Somo la Kwanza:
(From the Old Testament)
Msomaji: Neno la Bwana.
Waumini: Tumshukuru Mungu.
Zaburi:
Waumini hujibu kwa wimbo kama:
“Bwana ni Mchungaji wangu, sina upungufu wowote.”
Somo la Pili:
(From the New Testament Letters)
Msomaji: Neno la Bwana.
Waumini: Tumshukuru Mungu.
Wimbo wa Shangilio:
Waumini: Aleluya, Aleluya!
Padri: Bwana awe nanyi.
Waumini: Na pia nawe.
Padri: Injili takatifu ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo kwa mujibu wa…
Waumini: Utukufu kwako ee Bwana.
(After reading the Gospel)
Padri: Neno la Bwana.
Waumini: Sifa kwako ee Kristo.
7. Mahubiri (Homily/Sermon)
Padri anaeleza ujumbe wa Neno la Mungu kwa maisha ya kila siku.
8. Imani ya Mitume (The Creed)
Waumini wote:
Ninamwamini Mungu Baba Mwenyezi,
Muumba wa mbingu na nchi,
Na Yesu Kristo, Mwana wake wa pekee Bwana wetu,
Aliyetungwa kwa uwezo wa Roho Mtakatifu,
Kuzaliwa na Bikira Maria,
Kuteswa chini ya Pontio Pilato,
Kusulubiwa, kufa na kuzikwa,
Kushuka kuzimu,
Siku ya tatu akafufuka kutoka kwa wafu,
Kupaa mbinguni,
Ameketi kuume kwa Mungu Baba Mwenyezi,
Na atakuja tena kuwahukumu wazima na wafu.
Ninamwamini Roho Mtakatifu,
Kanisa Takatifu Katoliki,
Ushirika wa Watakatifu,
Msamaha wa dhambi,
Kufufuka kwa mwili,
Na uzima wa milele.
Amina.
9. Maombi ya Waamini (Prayers of the Faithful)
Kiongozi: Tumwombe Bwana kwa mahitaji yetu mbalimbali.
- Kwa Kanisa, ili liwe taa na chumvi ya dunia. Tuwombe kwa Bwana.
Waumini: Bwana utusikie. - Kwa viongozi wa dunia, ili walete amani na haki. Tuwombe kwa Bwana.
Waumini: Bwana utusikie. - Kwa wagonjwa, maskini, na wanyonge. Tuwombe kwa Bwana.
Waumini: Bwana utusikie. - Kwa marehemu wote, wapumzike kwa amani ya milele. Tuwombe kwa Bwana.
Waumini: Bwana utusikie.
Padri: Ee Mungu Baba wa rehema, yasikilize maombi ya watoto wako, tuyakayo mbele zako kwa imani. Kupitia Kristo Bwana wetu.
Waumini: Amina.
10. Liturujia ya Ekaristi (Eucharistic Liturgy)
a) Maandalizi ya Sadaka (Preparation of the Gifts)
Padri: Tubarikiwe wewe Mungu wa milele, kwa kuwa kupitia rehema zako tumepokea mkate huu tunaokutolea, ambao ni matokeo ya ardhi na kazi ya mikono ya binadamu, utakuwa kwetu chakula cha uzima wa milele.
Waumini: Amina.
b) Sala Kuu ya Ekaristi (Eucharistic Prayer)
Padri: Bwana awe nanyi.
Waumini: Na pia nawe.
Padri: Tuinue mioyo yetu.
Waumini: Tumeiinua kwa Bwana.
Padri: Tumshukuru Bwana Mungu wetu.
Waumini: Ni haki na ni wajibu wetu.
Padri:
Kweli ni haki na wajibu wetu kukushukuru, Baba Mtakatifu, Mungu Mwenyezi, kupitia Yesu Kristo Bwana wetu…
Waumini wote:
Mtakatifu, Mtakatifu, Mtakatifu,
Bwana Mungu wa majeshi,
Mbingu na nchi zimejaa utukufu wako,
Hosana juu mbinguni,
Amebarikiwa ajaye kwa jina la Bwana,
Hosana juu mbinguni.
11. Sala ya Baba Yetu (The Lord’s Prayer)
(All pray together)
Waumini:
Baba yetu uliye mbinguni,
Jina lako litukuzwe,
Ufalme wako uje,
Mapenzi yako yatimizwe duniani kama mbinguni,
Utupe leo riziki yetu ya kila siku,
Utusamehe makosa yetu,
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe waliotukosea,
Usitutie majaribuni,
Lakini utuokoe na yule mwovu.
Amina.
12. Sala ya Amani (Prayer of Peace)
Padri: Bwana Yesu Kristo, ulisema kwa mitume wako:
“Amani nawaachia, amani yangu nawapa.”
Usitazame dhambi zetu, bali imani ya Kanisa lako; ukapate kulipa amani na umoja kama ulivyopenda.
Waumini: Amina.
Padri: Amani ya Bwana iwe nanyi daima.
Waumini: Na pia nawe.
Padri: Peaneni ishara ya amani.
(Waumini wanapeana mikono ya amani.)
13. Kuvunja Mkate na Komunyo (Breaking of Bread and Communion)
Waumini:
Mwanakondoo wa Mungu, uliyemwondoa dhambi za dunia,
Utuhurumie sisi. (×2)
Utujalie amani.
Padri: Huyu ndiye Mwanakondoo wa Mungu, aondoaye dhambi za dunia. Heri walioalikwa kwenye karamu ya Mwanakondoo.
Waumini: Bwana sistahili unije kwangu, lakini sema neno tu, nami nitapona.
Padri: Mwili wa Kristo.
Muumini: Amina.
14. Sala ya Baada ya Komunyo (Post-Communion Prayer)
(Varies daily, example below)
Padri: Tuombe.
Ee Bwana, tunakushukuru kwa zawadi ya Mwili na Damu ya Mwanao. Tusaidie tuishi kwa upendo na umoja, tukiakisi upendo wako duniani.
Kupitia Kristo Bwana wetu.
Waumini: Amina.
15. Matangazo na Wimbo wa Shukrani (Announcements & Thanksgiving Hymn)
Mambo ya parokia hutangazwa, kisha wimbo wa shukrani huimbwa.
🎵 “Tukushukuru Bwana” au “Asante Yesu.”
16. Baraka ya Mwisho (Final Blessing)
Padri: Bwana awe nanyi.
Waumini: Na pia nawe.
Padri: Mungu Mwenyezi awabariki: Baba, Mwana, na Roho Mtakatifu.
Waumini: Amina.
17. Kutumwa (Dismissal)
Padri: Nendeni kwa amani, Misa imekwisha.
Waumini: Tumshukuru Mungu.
Wimbo wa Mwisho (Recessional Hymn):
🎵 “Twende Tukiimba” au “Ninafuraha Moyoni.”
Jifunze Kiswahili na mwalimu Johnpaul Arigumaho 