BURUNDI, Fr. Déogratias Maruhukiro. On Sunday 10 May, a small group from the Mount Zion Gikungu Christian community, particularly those belonging to the ‘Lenten Action’ commission went to Ruyigi to visit prisoners. ‘Lenten Action’ is charity initiative born at the Marian Shrine of Mount Zion Gikungu four years ago.
The aim of this apostolate is to transform Lent into a fruitful period by motivating the Christians at Mount Zion and other people of goodwill to live a different kind of Lent, a Lent of sharing. We collect food supplies, clothes and money during Lent and we wait until May to distribute these items. Why May? Because it’s the month of Mary and we firmly believe that we leave the Shrine together with Mary to go and visit the poorest of the poor. It is Mary who, through us, goes forth from her Shrine to visit the poor. One of the gifts we offer people at the beginning of the visit is a picture of the Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt. With this goal firmly before us, we set out towards the eastern part of the country to the Ruyigi Diocese.
We were encouraged by the Bible story: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”(Mt 25:35)
This the first part of the distribution of the food supplies and other items collected during Lent. We took half a ton of rice, half a ton of beans, half a ton of flour, a mountain of blankets, many detergent soap bars and many clothes. The chaplain at the prison in Ruyigi told us that this collection would allow each prisoner to receive at least half a kilo of food supplies without counting the clothes.
The difference
What touched us the most was the joy that we found among the prisoners, especially those with whom we shared the Eucharist. We were surprised by a well-organised choir which, although it was accompanied by very few instruments, sang with very beautiful voices, lots of participation and huge amounts of joy. Such joy could not be explained in any other way other than that Jesus was truly there. He allows himself to be touched by these people who, in one way or another, were abandoned at the various prisons. But he allows himself be touched by those who have truly converted and accept a share in his life. This was the difference between those who go to Mass and those who do not pray. They are joyful despite being in prison and feel they have already been freed by Christ and are not simply waiting for ‘D’ Day, whereas the others are sad and have sullen expressions!
After Mass, the chaplain of the Christian community at the prison thanked us and also asked us to support the choir that lacks musical instruments to accompany the liturgical singing. Several people who were with us proposed to contribute towards the cost of a piano. We already have the promise of 400.000 francs and still have to put in another 400.000 francs in order to buy the piano.
The next step in distributing the goods we collected will be at the start of June at the Kinama parish in Buterere.
I cannot finish without extending my thanks to those who gave themselves to this apostolic project, especially those involved in ‘Lenten Action.’ My thanks also goes out to all those e who contributed to this project, here in Burundi, especially the Mount Zion community, as well as those who are overseas and heard about ‘Lenten Action’ via Radio Maria Burundi. We invite all of you to journey with Lenten Action, in another project that we’re hoping to make reality. This project involves a home for handicapped street children who are hired out by their families to earn money by begging. This is a project that has captured our hearts and we are looking for partners to help and encourage us.
We pray that you receive many blessings during the month of May, that from the Mount Zion Gikungu Shrine, the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace and Reconciliation may fill you with many graces!
Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Pretoria, South Africa
