BURUNDI, Diomède Mujojoma. The Monte Sión Gikungu [Mount Zion Gikungu] Marian Schoenstatt Shrine joyfully celebrated the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with the new Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi, on Sunday, December 7, 2014. This solemnity is usually celebrated on the 8th of December each year and which has a special characteristic in the Shrine of Monte Sión Gikungu as well as all celebrations honoring the Virgin Mary. In fact, after the opening and closing of the Marian month in May and Feast of the Assumption, on the 15th of August of every year, it is one of the most outstanding large pilgrimages at the Marian Shrine of Mont Sión Gikungu.
It is true that this solemnity is celebrated in other Burundian parishes and shrines and even throughout the world, according to Catholic tradition, since the proclamation of the dogma by Pope Pius XI on December 8, 1854. According to this dogma, Mary is declared free from original sin from the moment of her conception. But the Marian Schoenstatt Shrine, Mont Sión Gikungu, places a special emphasis, beginning with the manner of its preparation and of its unique celebration.
As a matter of fact, letters of invitation, announcements in churches and other media resources, such as publicity spots, announcements, and posters helped to mobilize all the shrine’s pilgrims both near and far. During the week preceding the celebration, a special prayer was organized, a novena or a triduum, similar to the one that was made this year. The main subject of the meditation about the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Mother of God was“United with Mary, the Immaculate, let us build the Kingdom of the Father.” Another special thing about this celebration was the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio.
AN EXCEPTIONAL HOST
In fact, except in the case of an impediment the Apostolic Nuncio of Burundi celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the 2014 celebration; the shrine had the honor of welcoming the new Apostolic Nuncio, after a twenty-three years of absence. Archbishop Wajciech Zaluski was vital to the new secretary of the nunciature when Pope Saint John Paul II came to Burundi. It was at that time he set foot on the Gikungu hill before the existing shrine was built: the Marian Shrine of Monte Sión Gikungu. He so was ardently impatient to return to the “holy grounds,” that he stressed it in his homily on Sunday, December 7, 2014. He did not recall the exact place the Pope had celebrated the Mass. The entire place was covered with houses, and it was difficult to locate. The other place that he said he wanted to visit was Minago, where his predecessor, Archbishop Michael Courtney, who was assassinated, is buried.
At the beginning of the celebration, Father Félicien Nimbona, rector of the shrine welcomed the Apostolic Nuncio, who listened to his pastoral request to preside over the ceremonies of this solemnity, and he invited the faithful to welcome him with applause and the San Nicolás de Flue [Saint Nicholas de Flue] choir sang a song of welcome for this distinguished guest.
CONSECRATION OF BURUNDI TO THE VIRGIN MARY
Meditating on the Word of God in his homily, the Apostolic Nuncio explained that just like the Archangel Gabriel, we fervently greet the Virgin Mary every day, at every moment. He stressed that through the greeting of the Angel, “You are full of grace,” the Angel wanted to show who Mary was: “the one full of grace.” He emphasized that Mary’s “yes” has always had its place in our contemporary life. It is through Mary’s “Yes” that the savior of the world was born, and thus, Mary continues to be an eschatological model of the Church; a Church that was not built with stones but instead by a Church, where we form the faithful. The Nuncio concluded his homily by inviting the faithful to turn to the Virgin Mary with the intention that she intercede for us in the conquest of peace in our country and the entire world.
During the offertory, symbols were presented. A family with a dove as a symbol of peace that should begin within our families and continue in our country and the entire world; the dove was released in front of the shrine after the procession; two youths carrying a Bible symbolizing that the country should be built on the rock of the Word of God; a religious carried a candle symbolizing the light of God by which we want to be guided throughout this liturgical year dedicated to the consecrated life. Finally two politicians, a man and a woman, offered the national flag as a symbol of Burundi’s consecration thus placing the electoral period under the Virgin Mary, so that She will take care of Burundi and Burundians.
POSTSCRIPT
The ceremony of this solemnity closed with a procession to the Marian Shrine where the consecration to the Mother of God was made. The final blessing was imparted, and the Apostolic Nuncio released a dove amid the applause of the pilgrims.
Source: http://www.sanctuaire-mont-sion.net
Original: Francés – Traducción: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
