In commemoration – Zum Gedenken
A last farewell – Ein letzter Gruß
Abagyenda Bareeba! Wisdom is found by those who travel.
With boundless joy in his heart and a strong faith, he dedicated his life to other people,
especially in Uganda.
Now, in addition to the impressive traces of his life’s work, he leaves behind an infinite
amount of love, hope and inspiration. It is with great gratitude that we bid farewell to
Father Rudi Lehnertz
Missionary of Africa – White Father
| * 2nd March 1940 in Hetzerath |
† 26th September 2024 in Trier |
His siblings with families and friends
Missionaries of Africa – White Fathers
Germany – 54523 Hetzerath, Fam. Knopp, Hauptstraße 17 and 54292 Trier, Weiße Väter, Nordallee 1
The funeral service followed by the burial of the urn will take place on Saturday, 19th
October 2024 at 2:00 pm in the parish church of St. Hubertus in Hetzerath.
Abagyenda Bareeba! Weisheit findet, wer sich auf den Weg macht.
Mit grenzenloser Freude im Herzen und starker Glaubenskraft widmete er sein Leben den
Menschen, vor allem in Uganda.
Nun hinterlässt er neben den beeindruckenden Spuren seines Lebenswerks unendlich viel
Liebe, Hoffnung und Inspiration. In großer Dankbarkeit nehmen wir Abschied von
Pater Rudi Lehnertz
Afrikamissionar – Weißer Vater
| * 2. März 1940 in Hetzerath |
+ 26. September 2024 in Trier |
Geschwister mit Familien und Freunde
Afrikamissionare – Weiße Väter
54523 Hetzerath, Fam. Knopp, Hauptstraße 17 und 54292 Trier, Weiße Väter, Nordallee 1
Der Gottesdienst mit anschließender Urnenbeisetzung ist am Samstag, 19. Oktober 2024
um 14:00 Uhr in der Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus in Hetzerath.
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Condolence Message from the Family of Mr. & Mrs. Sylvester Mabweijano of Kabale, Uganda.
Dear the Lehnertz Family,
The Community of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers),
All Friends.
It is with deep sorrow that we join you all to convey our heartfelt condolences for the passing of our dear friend Rev. Fr. Rudi Lehnertz. We give glory to God for the life of Fr. Rudi and also for the blessing of having shared in his illustrious life in Uganda.
We also join you to mourn the recent loss of another family member Daniel Knopp and Rev. Father Otto Bailer, both good friends of our family from the time that they lived and worked in Uganda.
Fr. Rudi came into our lives in the early 1980s during the time he was the Headmaster of St. Joseph’s Vocational School at Nyamitanga in Mbarara. From that time Fr. Rudi became not only a great friend but a spiritual mentor, guardian and advisor to our immediate and extended family.
As all friends of Fr. Rudi can testify, when you became Fr. Rudi’s friend, you would also became a friend of his friends as well as a friend of his family in Germany. This is a testimony of his great generosity of Spirit.
A man of faith as a Religious Priest in the Catholic Church, Fr. Rudi not only dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel but he lived the word of God in spreading love, friendship, and joy. He eagerly shared his great knowledge, skills and expertise with us through our various life journeys.
Indeed Fr. Rudi was loving towards the family. Our walk with Fr. Rudi went beyond friendship and he became family, he became a mentor, encouraging our personal growth, education and career journeys. He shared in our joy and in consoled us in our times of sorrow. His imprint in our lives is immeasurable.
As we bid farewell to our dear friend we are comforted in our belief that Fr. Rudi has gone to rest in God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
His Memory will forever live in our hearts. Rest in everlasting peace Fr. Rudi.
May the Almighty God strengthen the family during this time and enable you to celebrate his fulfilling life on earth.
Fr. Rudi Lehnertz, you have served God, you have preached the Gospel and you have shared the Love of Christ with others especially with me, my family and many Ugandan people who were so lucky to meet you.
May God reward you with eternal glory. May the God you chose as a young man shine his face upon you and give you eternal glory 🙏🙏🙏
You have inspired me with your love and works of Charity. You have given me a career by paying my tuition fees to become a lawyer that I am today. I can’t say it all🥰🥰🥰🥰
Rest well with the Angels mydear Fr. Rudi🥰🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏
Bahemuka Liz and children Bernadine melissa angel and georgina wish to send condolence mesage to the family of Rudi. That the Lord may grant you strength during this difficult time. Its not easy for usto believe that our dear friend, parent ,guardian is gone . We are going to miss him for he was always with us at all moments. Most of all we can never forget his love. But we believe that he has gone to a better place.May his soul rest in peace.
Fr. Rudi Lehnertz, you have served God, you have preached the Gospel and you have shared the Love of Christ with others especially with me, my family and many Ugandan people who were so lucky to meet you.
May God reward you with eternal glory. May the God you chose as a young man shine his face upon you and give you eternal glory 🙏🙏🙏
You have inspired me with your love and works of Charity. You have given me a career by paying my tuition fees to become a lawyer that I am today. I can’t say it all🥰🥰🥰🥰
Rest well with the Angels mydear Fr. Rudi🥰🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏
Fr Rudi, may the Good Lord rest your Soul in peace, and may he comfort your family, friends and the members of the White Fathers Missionaries of Africa. Rest in peace Father until we meet again in heaven🙏🙏
Condolences to the family of Fr Rudi
I have been moved to condole with Fr Rudi’s family, not that I have not met him face, but because many friends of my family are mourning his passing due to the amazing gifts of love he has accorded them! Furthermore, the wealth of spiritual service he has rendered to my Country, Uganda is more than enough to move me render such condolences.
Rest peacefully, Father Rudi!
We thank God for for Fr. Rudi’s life and what he was able to achieve during his mission in Uganda, at St Joseph’s Vocational School Mbarara in particular.
May his soul rest in eternal peace 🙏🏽
Dear Family of Late Fr..Rudi,
It’s with my deep heartfelt condolences to you upon the demise of Fr. Rudi. He not only represented your family but also was a good messenger of God in Uganda. He did his best and left a legacy by his big heart. He served the people of God faithfully till the end. May the Lord God grant you (the family) His choicest blessings for the gift and care of Fr. Rudi and grant him Eternal Life for his charitable works to the people of God.
As we gather here to celebrate the life of our dear friend Fr. Rudi, let us remember the laughter, love, and joy he brought into our lives. May his memory continue to inspire and uplift us as we navigate this world without him. Together, we can honor his legacy and cherish the beautiful moments we shared. We love you always Rudi.♥️♥️
May his family be comforted in the Lord.
May Fr. Rudi’s soul rest in peace. Till we meet again. 🙏🏽🕯️🕯️🕊️
To the family of Father Rudi, I shall remember Father Rudi as a person full of life and a generous heart. I will also remember the picnics and the various occasions he blessed with his presence. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN
Fr. Rudi, you laid the foundation of my technical education. And to many Ugandans you have been a life-changing argent. Your living kindness will forever live in our memories. The good Lord you served is faithful and we are sure his rewards to you for the work well done.
Continue resting in eternal peace.
Celebrating the incredible life of Rev. Fr. Rudi Lehnertz, the Headmaster of St. Joseph’s Vocational School Mbarara, from 1980 to 1983. The love, care, wisdom and mentorship that he provided to us will forever be in my heart and memories. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace. Amen.
Fr. Rudi has gone to meet our creator. This is a reality we all have to come to terms with. What next? Let us ask the Good lord to send us more „Rudis“ into our communities to continue spreading the gospel of love hope.
And for those touched by the loving kindness of Fr. Rudi, let us continue teaching our children the same vartues for the purpose of transforming this world into a better place. Fr. Rudi’s dream was to see communities wholly transformed most especially spiritually and financially.
RIP fallen soldier.
Dear family of fr. Rudi I am in deep shock for the lost of our beloved father amentor to our youth of sharing iam here by condoning with the family father was God’s blessings he ha has run the race and he has finished the race let’s celebrate his life he has made us and our children what we are he was our pillar in sharing and we had all hopes in him may the almighty grant father Rudi eternal glory and may his soul rest in peace Amen
Thank you Lord for the life of Fr Rudi who left us on the 26th September. I appreciate his family especially the parents (RIP) for the good upbringing and to have allowed him to join priesthood, which mission enabled him to touch many souls. His duties in the Lord’s vineyard for sure, were well done🙏
I got to know Fr Rudi young girl when he visited us with Fr Otto(RIP).
Fr Rudi fought illiteracy by educating many me inclusive.
Fr Rudi was a good listener and he would give advice where necessary. He was a good counselor in all fields. You would go to him with a heavy heart and leave a happy person with a light heart. He was a strict person like any other parent ,his strictness would bear good fruits🙏🙏
I am honoured to have known Fr Rudi. Thank you for loving me the way I am. You have left a big gap in many lives. You will never be replaced. We loved you much but God loved you more. Till We meet again. Your Legacy will live among us and we shall follow your example.
To all who visited Fr Rudi when his life was fragile and we couldn’t, thank you so much. The nurses and doctors, thank you.
Condolences to his family, residents in Trier, friends to Rudi and the MAFRA family.
Me and my son Hillary will miss you big.
You Fought a Good Fight. Till we meet again. We CELEBRATE YOU.
In the picture with the kids (Joshua, Dr. Joelle, Anita and Leonard) is a clear depiction of who Father Rudi was! A loving person with a big heart. Our kids were always happy and excited to be around him.
Dear Fr.Rudi,
We will miss you for the rest of our lives. Thank you for your life of service, Thank you for your big heart that loved us unconditionally.
We celebrate your life as you join our parents in heaven (say hello to them for us)
You will forever be in our hearts.
With love Vastina, Hamujuni and Family.
On behalf of the entire Rugunda Family of Mbarara we wish to post here our profound condolences and at the same time our hopeful spirits for the life, sacrifice, love love love of your true servant in Christ Rudi Lernhraz. Thank you for being 💯 a Rugunda/Babugura. Rest Thee Well
Nobby
I got to know Fr. Rudi Lehnertz in 1l970 at Immaculate Heart Girls Secondary School when I was in S2. Fr. Rudi came as our Chaplain and teacher for CRE. He was a very friend priest. I don’t what he found in me but I found myself being liked by both him and our Headmistress who was a French Canadian, Sr. Ghislaine Halley (RIP). Whenever we would go for dancing in Kitunga High School or Makobore SS, all the girls would jump on a lorry but as for me, I would go with Fr. Rudi and Sr. Gertude. One day he went to my home village in Kisoro and made sure he met my parents before he returned to Nyakibale. From there the friendship continued even after I had left Nyakibale.
One time I was attending a course at Kianda College, Nairobi and he surprised me when our Principal called me that I had a visitor so as soon as the lesson is over, I should come and meet my visitor. When I finished I went to the reception and I got a shock when I saw him seated. I got very excited and emotional at the same time. We greeted and then set off in his car, went for a cup of tea and thereafter he dropped at my hostel and left.
When he was at St. Joseph’s, Nyamitanga, I visited him on my way to Kisoro for my leave and he was happy to see me. I asked him where Sr. Ghislaine was and he told she had moved to Rwanda (Byumba) and he immediately offered to take me there.
Fr. Rudi was a very caring, loving and supportive human being and yet he did all these with a lot of humility. May the good Lord reward him for all his good deeds while on earth.
When I was transferred from Arusha, Tanzania to Uganda, Fr. Rudi made sure to check on me each time he was free. He made sure he brought all his relatives who visited him to my home to greet me. I remember his sister Theresa, brother Mark, his inlaws, nieces and nephews.
Fr. Rudi, your friendship, support, care and legacy will forever be cherished. May your soul rest in perfect peace.
Dear Stefan and all Fr. Rudi family.
My family, Joshua and myself join you to mourn a dear friend, parent and mentor, Fr. Rudi. Please accept our very sincere Condolences.
Am Margaret Hamujuni Tuhumwire saddened by the Passing of Fr. Rudi Leunertz, a great man of God that I have knowin since I was a child in Senior one at Immaculate Heart Girls Senior Secondary School in Rukungiri District of Uganda when he was my Teacher of Religious Education.
My young sister and I, were in the same class and we resembled which confused especially foreign Teachers among them Fr. Rudi. He was very kind to us and to many other students and he became a Special friend to the entire Hamujuni family. We loved him and he loved us back. He guided and counselled us on how to live dignified lives.
He was always standing with us in thick and thin. He even loved our friends. His generosity of Heart opened doors of success to many of us. He always shared whatever he had with those in need.
He participated in our weddings, baptisms and social events. He would accept invitations to our homes however small because he had a big Heart. I always told people that if there is a Father in real sense, it is Father Rudi.
Father, you have gone so soon. How sad that you have not been able to make your last visit to Uganda where we loved and treasured you.
I prayed that you get well and I make it there to hug you before you go to Heaven, but God has not allowed it to happen.
May the Angels receive you in great honour as you receive your Crown as a Victor of Selflessness, non-discrimination, love, kindness and a preservation of Human Dignity.
May your Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.🙏🏾🙏🏾
Margaret is a sister oj Beatrice, Vaster and Juliet of Hamujuni Family
Entebbe, Ugand
The Lehnertz Family,
The Community of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers),
All Friends.
I stand with you to celebrate the well-lived life of Fr. Rudi Lehnertz, whom I trace from 1973 in the environs of Immaculate Heart Girls‘ Secondary School, Nyakibale, Uganda, to September 2024, when a call to uplift his legacy set in. As young learners in their early teens, Fr. Lehnertz won our admiration for taking care of our spiritual, social, and academic needs. His care did not stop with us at the secondary level, for I vividly recall the candle Fr. Lehnertz lit when I was defending my PhD thesis because he could not physically be present! His gesture was not only extended to me but all known to him. What a considerate and neutral priest in Fr. Rudi, as we later addressed him. No wonder he always welcomed sharing development ideas that were never shelved but saw the birth of the Immaculate Heart Old Girls Association and others that directly and indirectly transfer the gains from the shared interactions lined up in Fr. Rudi’s networks. Reconnecting with Fr. Rudi through physical visits, prayer, WhatsApp messages, emails, video calls, and phone calls meant moments of joy, laughter, humor, and reunion—essentials of good mental health. I will live to celebrate Fr. Rudi and uphold his legacy. May the God you served and made His word known to many grant your soul eternal peace.
Dear Father Rudi,
From my childhood to the present, your influence has shaped me into who I am today. Your unwavering support and kindness have been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life. You were always there in my good and bad. Guided me, provided for me and supported all my dreams. I will forever cherish the memories we’ve shared, and I am deeply grateful for the positive impact you’ve had on me.
May you rest in eternal peace. I love and miss you dearly. You were excellent in every way. Knowing you meant experiencing a love so selfless, a heart so kind and giving, and a soul so pure. Thank you for sharing your light with me since I was 8.
Rest in glory, my angel.
Lots of love – Maclina.
To the Family of Fr. Rudi and the Missionaries of Africa.
Receive my sincere condolences upon the death of Fr. Rudi.
I thank God for the gift of Fr. Rudi and for the lives he touched. I am among those many lives.
As a young man aspiring to join the Missionaries of Africa, Rudi , as we used to call him, was one of my first contacts whilst a Vocations Director at Mapeera Vocations Center. Through his simple life, hands on approach towards work and his contagious smile, he attracted me towards joining the Missionaries of Africa.
He visited our homes, blended in the way we were, chose to eat whatever we served him with happiness as though it was his staple food ( He was later to tell us that a good missionary has to have a missionary stomach. Then a vegetarian, I started eating all types of meat and to take milk!) He mixed so well with those who did not speak English in our villages, thanks to his good command of Rukiga language.
Upon being selected to start my initial formation, he drove me and the three others to Jinja, around 80km from Kampala in his car, because we were not well vast with the intricate transport system that we were not used to at that time.
When I later chose to discontinue myself from formation, Fr. Rudi, then Director at Sharing Youth Center gave me some money to start a new life. He wrote to me introductory letters to his friend for possible job offers.
He would invite me when ever there were scheduled pilgrimages to Rome and other Holy places.
He baptized my first born and was among the many Priests who graced my wedding.
I lost a mentor, consultant and friend.
May the Soul of Fr. Rudi Lehnertz rest in peace.
There will a mass in memory our beloved Rudi at Lourdel House, Nsambya white fathers community chapel this Saturday at 10 am. Those who join the white fathers in this memorial mass please join us as remember our beloved in this chapel where he celebrated his daily Eucharist .Thanks.
Fr. Elias et al, please share the link, if available, so that some can join on line.
Kind regards
Fr Rudi used to come and assist us while I was curate at Christ the King church in Kampala Uganda (1991/92).
Then we met again on 28.6.2022 in London after over 20 years!
He offered me much assistance by connecting me to the Missionaries of Africa archives in Rome where I got very crucial information for the book I was writing.
I was about to give him an update about that piece of published work when I learnt of his passing only on 8th October 2024. This is very shocking and saddening news!
May the Lord look upon his generous service and ministry to grant him eternal peace.
Fr. Rudi good bye. Till we meet in glory.
Fr Gerard Balinnya
To the Family and Friends of Fr Rudi
II write this message with deep sorrow that our friend is no more. FR Rudi a friend to many who loved people the way they were we shall miss you . You were always there when we wanted you for help i cannot forget when you were called upon during the last moments of our mother who was your friend and you were there in record time to give her the Sacramenrt it was the last meal she had and went to the Lord we shall always remember that. To the family we pray God comforts during this time of grief. I would write more andmore but i stop here MAY THE SOUL OF FATHER RUDI REST IN PERFECT PEACE. WE SHALL OFFER 2 MASSES FOR HIS SOUL.
Farewell Fr. Rudi. Your love for mankind will forever be cherished. May the good Lord comfort and strengthen your family and may He give you the strength and courage to accept what you cannot change. May Fr. Rudi’s soul rest in perfect peace.
Dear Fr.Rudi,
Your passing away has left me with personal regrets and to be sincere I will never get over the fact that I did not get to say goodbye to you in person. I will always live with that guilt.
But then my late grand mom once said “ when good people die, they go to heaven and they see everything we do”
So Fr.Rudi here is everything what I wanted to tell you:
Fr.Rudi THANK YOU!!!.
Thank you from every child at Sharing Youth centre. From every child like me that you employed their parent, from every parent like mine that trusted Sharing Youth centre to raise their kids, from every kid like me who got their talents discovered and encouraged at Sharing, from everyone that felt like Sharing was their second home, from everyone that felt the presence of God every time you preached the word of God, from everyone that saw you as a role model, from everyone that was lucky to meet you and from me that got to be the person I am because of you.
I am not God but I know you represented him so well. Every priest and everyone should be like you. I am grateful that you are relieved off your pain. You did your best and it is now time to rest. Do not worry because we will always do our best to keep sharing a better place just like you always wanted. SO REST. Rest well with the Angels Fr. Rudi.
SHARING YOUTH CENTRE WILL MISS YOU BUT YOU CAN NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
Fair thee well Fr. Rudi! May your Soul Rest in Peace! Father Rudi trusted me as a small boy that I could be able at the minor para seminary level as he did wihh so many little ones across western Uganda! He was present to bless my PhD day! Back in the para seminary, he dedicated all his time to be with the kids he was in charge of including on the football pitch playing football! One hundred perscent undivided dedication! We thank the family that gifted the world such a sefless Soul! We condole with the family! May Fr. Rudi’s Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!
The family of late Fr Rudi Rehnertz , as you prepare to send him off we pray that the Good Lord comfort you as we continue to pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace. Rest in eternal peace our mentor
I met Fr. Rudi as a child through the Mabweijano family, which has been my 2nd family all my life! I recall his generous bellowing laugh and huge welcoming smile. Always warm. When I was getting married, and went to register for my wedding at our Parish, I felt my wedding Mass would be more meaningful if Fr. Rudi, who saw me grow up would wed us. I approached him and he agreed without hesitation. Such joy!!! Unfortunately, Fr. Rudi was not in the country to baptise our precious son, but did get the opportunity to meet and bless him at Mary Manweijano’s house during a family celebration. We will always remember you with fondness and love. Thank you for being there for us and for your service to Uganda. Thank you for your friendship and love to our family!!!
We send our deepest condolences to Fr. Rudi’s friends and family and we pray God consoles you all as only He can.
May God rest your beautiful soul in peace.
Ivy, Ken and Aaron Kiddu
I met Fr Rudi in 1972 at Immaculate Heart Girls Secondary School and was my Teacher for Religious Knowledge .. He was in his 30s very vibrant youthful priest. He became my friend, and I introduced him to my family, my mum and dad and my sibilings and everybody young and old loved him. My mother loved him so that much that she gave him her clan „Omusigi“ . He came one of us and he got to know all them and their homes. He had special love for each of us. He communicated and delt with each one of us in his own special way … his love and concern was unlimited… It’s very hard to write about Rudi.. he was a special Angle in life and played a big role in my life as single parent Thank you Rudi for loving me and my family and my siblings and for being part of my bigger family and caring for each one of us. RUDI rest in peace..you’ll always be in our hearts 💕💞♥. May Jesus The King of Kings whom you served receive you and grant you mercy and happiness forever. Amen 🙏
The family of Fr Rudi Lehnertz, MAFRA, FROMA and all the friends.
Its with deep sorrow that we lost a true friend in Fr Rudi. We give glory to God for his life, service and love for humanity. I got to know Fr Rudi when l joined FROMA having been invited by Fr Henry Byamukama. Fr Rudi became a friend, he loved my family and my children would always be happy whenever I told them that we are going to Nsambya for they knew they were going to meet the muzungu priest who would hug them etc. I pray that Fr Rudi’s legacy should go on through FROMA the associaton that he started himself.
Rest in the Lord Fr Rudi till we meet in paradise.
kr92ni