Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kibeho (Fides Service) - “Our Lady of Kibeho is a beacon of hope, a light for all Africa and the world. This is demonstrated by the fact that 10,000 people braved torrential rain to take part in the ceremony to open the Kibeho Jubilee Year” Fides was told by Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro, in Rwanda, where a special Mass was celebrated on 28 November to open a Jubilee year to mark the 25th anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin at Kibeho (see Fides 6 November 2006).
“I was deeply moved at the devotion of the people taking part in the procession and the Mass which followed” Bishop Misago told Fides. “All the Bishops of Rwanda and Burundi were present as well as thousands of priests and men and women religious and lay people from all over Rwanda, and from Burundi, Democratic Congo (Kivu), Tanzania and Uganda. There were even a few Europeans from Belgium, Poland and Germany”.
During the Mass the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Anselmo Guido Pecorari read a letter from Pope Benedict XVI announcing that a plenary indulgence has been granted by the Apostolic Penitentiary to pilgrims who visit Kibeho during the Jubilee Year.
The apparitions at Kibeho were officially recognised by the Church through the local Bishop on 29 June 2001 following 20 years of investigation by 2 Commissions one theological and one medical instituted by the local Bishop. Only the apparitions to three people were recognised: Alphonsine Mumureke, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka and Marie Claire Mukangango. Our Lady presented herself as Nyina wa Jambo, or Mother of the Word. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/11/2006 righe 26 parole 296)
