Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Gitega (Agenzia Fides) – The Archdiocese of Gitega has recently approved the new religious family of the Congregation of Mary, Queen of the Holy Priesthood. The Congregation was founded by diocesan priest Father Avit Vyumvuhore on August 15, 1976, with the mission of sanctifying the People of God and bearing witness to the irreplaceable role of the priesthood in ecclesial life. The charism given by the Founder (who was a missionary in Africa and Europe) is that of praying and working for the holiness of all the baptized, especially for the holiness of priests, spreading the spirituality of the love Jesus related to his Disciples: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt. 5:44). The Institute includes both a masculine and feminine branch (the latter being a more recent foundation).
On March 23, 2007, the Archbishop of Gitega approved the Congregation, which holds its see at the parish of Rukundo in Muharuro. Archbishop Simon Ntamwana focused on the legacy of Saint John Chrysostom, patron of the religious family, who “shows how the difficulties, corruption, human rights violations, can all lead us to love our enemies, to the point of forgiving them in Christ's name.” The Archbishop continued: “This is precisely what should make us live, work, and pray every day for holiness; it should be a noteable characteristic of the members of the Congregation of Mary, Queen of the Holy Priesthood.” In the ceremony for the diocesan recognition was the Founder, who recalled how “our brothers show the dignity of the priesthood and at the same time the holiness of the laity, in this way showing that they are true missionaries in todays world.” The feminine branch has recently welcomed three novices, from Kiganda, Mwaro, and Giheta. (AM) (Agenzia Fides 12/1/2009)
