BURUNDI/RWANDA, Sr. M. Béatrice Kagimbi. The Father Symbol arrived in Burundi as it continues its international pilgrimage. During its time in Burundi, it will also visit some of the neighbouring countries where the Apostolic Schoenstatt Movement is present. On 3-5 March, 125 pilgrims accompanied the Father Symbol during its visit to Kibeho – a well-known place of pilgrimage in Rwanda where Our Lady appeared as “Mother of the Word” – before going on to Butare.
Mother of the Word
The pilgrimage of the Father Symbol and the Auxiliary Pilgrim Mother began at the Bujumbura Shrine. The rector blessed the pilgrims and their pilgrimage as they left for Rwanda in a spirit of prayer. Many people were already waiting for them in Kibeho. At this time a heavy rain fell over them as sign of blessing, something which had already happened during this pilgrimage. First, Holy Mass was celebrated and was followed by a talk given by a Pallottine who gave an account of the apparitions of Mother of the Word in Kibeho. Here, Our Lady revealed herself as the Mother of Sorrows and invited Christians to conversion, by praying the Rosary for her seven sorrows. The Pallottine who received the pilgrim group expressed his joy, saying ‘we are family because Fr. Kentenich was also a Pallottine.” He said that we need to heed Our Lady’s call so that we never experience what the people of Rwanda experienced. Those who were present were touched by these words because such experiences are very real for them.
In Butare
Towards the end of the afternoon, the pilgrims left for Butare, where many members of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement were waiting for them. They were amazed by the amount of dust along the road. This means that it had only rained in Kibeho. The pilgrims were certain that this rain is a special blessing from heaven given where ever the Father Symbol passes.
It was a beautiful family experience when all the participants began to pray and sing in both Kirundi and Kinyarwanda. A family of many nations and tongues emerges around the Auxiliary and the Father Symbol.
Fruits of the Visit by the Father Symbol
On Sunday the pilgrims from Burundi attended Holy Mass, celebrated at the Butare Cathedral, where the Father Symbol was given a place of honour alongside the Auxiliary. After Communion, the pilgrims were given the opportunity to say a few words about the Father Symbol to the congregation. Fr. Evode, the rector at the Gikungu Shrine, spoke from life experience: “Father sees me, loves me and needs me,” and thus invited the community to experience this conviction in their daily lives. In conclusion, the parish priest gave thanks for the visit and the beautiful message, promising to visit the Bujumbura Shrine. After Mass, the Pilgrim Mother coordinator thanked everybody for their presence and added that this visit will produce many fruits in everyone’s lives.
This is the wish of the Schoenstatt Family in Burundi and Rwanda to all those who are still waiting for a visit by the Father Symbol.
