MPs join team to bring Kibeho Virgin Mary to Uganda

RELIGION

Despite the fact that Rwanda closed its border with Uganda at Katuna border post, last weekend, a large delegation of Ugandan Catholics was allowed to travel to Kibeho that is 84 miles from the capital city, Kigali.

Unlike the business transporters, the Ugandan entourage that was led by Uganda's Catholic laity Gervase Ndyanabo, did not have problems with the security personnel at the border,  apart  from being diverted to Kagitumba, which made their journey longer than expected.

The Ugandan believers travelled to Kibeho to receive the statue of the Virgin Mary of Our Lady of Sorrows, mother of Jesus Christ from their fellow believers of Kibeho where it is said Mary appeared to three Rwandan girls who were students at Kibeho College in 1981.

Upon arrival at Kibeho, Bishop Célestin Hakizimana of Gikongoro Diocese handed over Mary's statue to Fr Ronnie Mubiru of Wakiso Catholic Parish as the whole entourage flanked them. Fr Mubiru represented the Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

Welcoming his visitors at Kibeho shrine, Bishop Hakizimana narrated the story of Mary's apparition to the girls and; said according to the three girls, the Virgin Mary had some very important messages she had wanted them to deliver to the people of Rwanda, but which the Rwandans ignored.

Hakizimana said that as a result of their turning a deaf ear to the Virgin Mary's message through the three girls, the whole country fell into the turmoil of the 1994 genocide.

He urged the Ugandan believers to strengthen their religion and do everything possible to avoid falling victims of such evil acts.

 "I am happy to receive you in our diocese, I know today you are taking Virgin Mary to your country, continue praying to her for peace and reconciliation," he said.

Hakizimana thanked bishops, priests and religious for allowing Kibeho Virgin Mary to be in Uganda.

After the Mass Bishop Hakizimana handed over the portrait of Virgin Mary to Fr Mubiru who represented Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga who is in charge of Archdiocese where portrait will be basing to visit other parishes and dioceses.

Over 200 Ugandans including 62 Priests, 30 nuns, Christians including lawmakers led by assistant CEO of Vision Group, Gervase Ndyanabo.

Member of Parliament, Mary Paula Kebirungi Turyahikayo and other MPs, Ugandan tycoons also participated by paying transport fares  for religious and priests.

Ndyanabo thanked all pilgrims who made it to Kibeho to bring Virgin Mary to Uganda and all who prayed for that journey, he said that it have been difficult to reach the place as the boarder was closed.

While receiving the Ugandan entourage back from Rwanda at St Charles Lwanga Catholic Parish Ggaba on Sunday, Msgr Lawrence Ssemusu, second Vicar of Kampala Archdiocese, said that although the border posts in Rwanda had been closed, the   Virgin Mary found her way into Uganda.

He told the congregation that no one can close God's way. "Imagine Katuna-Uganda boarder was closed the day the Ugandan team set off to pick Virgin Mary from Kibeho, but  opened the way for them and enabled them to fulfil their mission," Msgr Ssemusu said this while crowd were  listening attentively.

Ssemusu called the congregation always to open their eyes to see God's love in their lives.

He applauded tycoons and business people and  said that the pilgrimage that commenced on Thursday February 28, all priests and religious were sponsored by well-wishers Chairman MTK Uganda, Francis Xavier Kittaka sponsored 13 people, Emmanuel Katongole of CIPLA limited sponsored 10, Innocent Lugero of Mbarara also sponsored 10, Joseph Yiga also sponsored many, Mulago Director Buteria Byaruhanga also sponsored 10, Hon.

Paula Turwahayo sponsored 4 people and his husband gave us double cabin fully fueled which we used to transport Virgin Mary from Kibeho, Global company gave a bus and many others.

"I thank Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga for allowing Kibeho Virgin Mary to come to Kampala Archdiocese and each and every one who did whatever they can to see that she reaches in Uganda." Ssemusu said.  

Msgr Ssemusu revealed that Archbishop Lwanga decided to place Kibeho Virgin Mary  in Ggaba Parish as he was requested by the team to get a place for her, because Ggaba parish is one of the parishes in Kampala Archdiocese which is not attached to many special devotions.   

Kibeho

Kibeho shrine in Rwanda attracts pilgrims from near and far. In the Catholic Church, the veneration of Mary, mother of Jesus, encompasses various Marian devotions which include prayer, pious acts, visual arts, poetry, and music devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Kibeho Church in Rwanda. (Photo by Juliet lUkwago)

How Virgin Mary appeared to Rwanda

These unusual phenomena began on November 28, 1981 at Groupe Scolaire Marie Merci of Kibeho where the three girls studied.

When she was in senior four, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka felt unwell and sought permission to go to the dormitory to rest. Little did she know that it was her time to meet a mother; the Virgin Mary.

"It was about 4:30pm when I was in the dormitory. I was on my bed praying and I saw the image of a beautiful lady from the sunset, she came and when she was about  four meters above, she stopped and called my name: "Nathalie my daughter, pray hard, pray hard, pray hard for the world is in danger," the now 54-year-old Mukamazimpaka recalls.

"I felt I was no longer on the bed but rather on a green garden; I knelt down to pray. The lady told me to stick to heavenly things as the ones on earth were of a short period and will perish. She told me that I will suffer a lot in my life and asked me to pray. I said more prayers and she blessed me before she disappeared.

The first day was not only confusing for Mukamazimpaka but also a period of mockery from her colleagues when she revealed her vision.

The lady who had appeared to her did not identify herself at first and told her she would do so when she came back.

"When the students came in the dormitory, they also laughed at me and wondered whether I also witnessed the apparitions," she said adding that she had nothing to tell them then.

Besides the school management was also in a total confusion. Maybe they didn't want to cause chaos among the students or as a church run facility; they thought it could be more of an illusion than vision.