BURUNDI, Federico Gaffrey. Sundays are the days in which the people gather in the house of God, to listen to the Gospel and to feel the divine grace of forgiveness and consequently of communion. This is the reason it is called and communally known as the day of celebration. But, in spite my 24 years of age, it was only yesterday that I strongly understood what this meant.
It is important to clarify that I am not in my city or in my country. I am in Bujumbura, the capital of the small Republic of Burundi, located in the heart of central Africa (and coincidentally the geographic shape is similar to a heart), it is a region known as the great lakes. I specifically live at Mount Sion Gikungu, a beautiful place, in the valley of one of the many hills that border the city.
I had no idea of the magnitude of the capacity, or the number of people who attended
On Sunday, April 25, 2010, the month of Mary began and the Mass was truly a celebration. The week before was filled with ardent and intense preparation and work, precisely for this special celebration. Not a single detail was missed, everything had been clearly planned, to the least detail of decoration.
Since I arrived recently, I had still not witnessed a Mass at Mount Sion. Furthermore, I had no idea of the magnitude of capacity or the number of people who attended, or how loyal and faithful they are. Although everyone here told me that thousands of people attended, this was unimaginable to me.
On Sunday, when I awoke and rose, I looked through the window (which faces the Shrine and the Parish) and I saw the beautiful day that the Lord had given us. Undoubtedly his will had been done.
The impulse of joy was such that I ended up dancing like any other
When I arrived at Mass my eyes could not take in that number of people. Fortunately, I found a very good place, I was seated to the left of the altar. From there I had an excellent view and I could observe that all the places and each one of the spaces that bordered the parish were occupied. Therefore, the comments that I had heard were not exaggerations ( not that I doubted its truth, rather I could not visualize it).
Families, thousands of people, two very large choirs a group who performed typical dances was the scene that awaited the respectful presence of the bishop.
The songs were very joyful, and the people continued to sing with fervor and with a big smile that illuminated their faces. In the same way, the dances were in front of the altar, and they were offered to Mary.
The language was Kirundi and I did not understand it, however I allowed myself to be taken in by my other senses. That is, I “caught” the festive and touching atmosphere. The impulse of joy was such that I ended up dancing like any other.
The Shrine surrounded by the people
After the Mass there was a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Mount Sion, the Shrine of peace and reconciliation. To better appreciate the occasion I went up to the bell tower, that is a few meters from there. From on high I had an enviable view and I took the opportunity to take some photographs of the Shrine surrounded by the people.
The people from Burundi gathered and met in one place to welcome Mary in her Shrine and to pray for the presidential elections. A lasting peace depends on this election. Therefore, it is not a minor fact that many politicians, ministers, and two of the last ex presidents attended. I sat beside one of them during the Mass. Because of the situation, it was very important to build a capital of grace, to pray for the elections and for peace in Burundi. Together, from each Shrine, in each country, we have to make a contribution with our prayers.
It has been a joy and honor, during this Year for Priests, to have begun the month of Mary here in Burundi. In conclusion, it was very beautiful to feel how the people welcomed me in a land which so far from mine.
For this reason, I repeat that it was truly a Sunday of celebration.
Federico Gaffrey belongs to the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth from Mar del Plata, Argentina.
