Pilgrims of hope, pilgrims of peace

Pilgrimage of Peace for the Congo - with the International Auxiliary

Todos quieren llevarla... All want to carry her... Alle wollen sie einmal tragen…
Una peregrinación multitudinaria A great number of pilgrims accompanied her Eine große Schar von Pilgern ist unterwegs
Llegada... Arriving... Ankunft...
Cierre de las peregrinaciones en el Santuario de Bujumbura Closing of the pilgrimages at the Shrine in Bujumbura Abschluss der Wallfahrten am Heiligtum in Bujumbura
Gracias, Reina de la paz... Thank you, Queen of peace... Danke, Königin des Friedens… Fotos: Sr. M. Lisette Seitzer, P. Deogratias Maruhukiro © 2008 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

BURUNDI, Fr. Deogratias Marahukiro. Sunday, 9 November, was a special day for both Mulongwe Parish and the Congo. Not only was it a great day of pilgrimage in which we prayed for peace, but it was also the official pilgrimage that brought to a close the series of pilgrimages that we organized throughout the year. Therefore this pilgrimage was somewhat different from all the others. Here are some of the highlights.

A crowd of people, bigger than we had seen before, participated in this large pilgrimage. Clearly, all those who had participated in the various pilgrimages wished to join this closing pilgrimage. More than 380 people registered to participate in the pilgrimage to the Congo. In spite of the war that has been raging in the Congo, no one was afraid to join in this pilgrimage and we therefore had to stop accepting registrations for those who wished to come on the pilgrimage. This was in itself a testimony of the spirit that has permeated these pilgrimages: the need to pray for peace. The people of Burundi, particularly the inhabitants of Mount Sion have already been won over for the cause of peace. They were all prepared to make many sacrifices and offer all of their efforts whenever they were asked to pray for peace.

Those who participated formed a colourful crowd because they came, not only, from the many parishes around Bujumbura, but they also came from many diverse backgrounds. They included politicians, state employees, businessmen, military and police officers, young students and school children as well as some poorer people. Among those present was ex-President Domitien Ndayizeye, several members of parliament, including the communications, trade and justice ministers, and the present deputy governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Burundi. The conditions and the security for this trip were not the best, but the pilgrims did not hesitate to witness to their faith in the hope that peace may return to our region.

A triumphal entry for the Queen of Peace

Leaving Mount Sion Gikungu with the Queen of peace, the procession made up of large buses and private cars was a true spectacle, resembling the triumphal entry of a king who had defeated his enemies in battle. The journey to the border was uneventful but once we crossed the Congolese border, things changed dramatically. The Congolese awaited us a few metres from the border. They had prepared to receive and accompany their Queen triumphantly. They were all almost identically dressed, wearing traditional skirts bearing the MTA picture with the words: Queen of peace, pray for us. When they saw us from a distance, they began to sing their welcome songs. This great event was characterised by joy and dance. When we began the pilgrimage towards the Congo, an atmosphere of joy took over. The great procession of vehicles was led by many police motorcycles. In this way, the procession of pilgrims bringing hope and peace invaded a land thirsting for peace. Looking to the left and the right, we could see that this land carried scars of war. We could see the sad faces, desperate and tired of this war that has gone on for so long. We could see the image of a country in ruins and overcome by a war where brother kills brother, and where it is difficult to see who are its supporters and what the outcomes will be. Yes, this was the land that Mary visited, but with a different message: a message of peace for all the people of the Congo and for all of the countries in the region.

Mass lasted three hours and gave the participants a different image to the one surrounding, an image of joy. Joy, brotherhood and dance were freely available to the pilgrims of peace. This is how Mary came to perform her miracle. Their downcast and defeated faces, caused by the ravages and consequences of the war, spontaneously reflected an un-expressible joy like the midday sun. The Eucharist was followed by a fraternal feast where the pilgrims from Burundi and the Congo shared the bread of our brotherhood. Finally, all that remained was to return to Burundi, but there was another surprise awaiting us before we went home.

The official close to the chain of pilgrimages of peace and reconciliation

According to our planning, the Mulongwe pilgrimage was to be the last of the pilgrimages of peace and reconciliation. And so, we had to hold a small closing ceremony. The closing ceremony included a moment of sharing for all of those who had taken part in the pilgrimages. Two symbols were handed out as souvenirs – a candle and a souvenir card. The souvenir card was a symbol thanking those who had participated in the pilgrimages and through it each person received the three graces of the shrine from Our Lady. Each person also received a candle, a symbol that they are also called to be lights of peace. We left the hall in procession with the Auxiliary towards the Shrine. Each of the people who participated in the pilgrimage carried a lighted candle. The procession was more than symbolic. It symbolised the dream of once again having peace in the country, the dream of a country where the long night of war will give way to the new light of peace. Each of the pilgrims undertook to continue shining this light so that the dream can become reality. Each one is called to become a pilgrim of hope and peace.

I cannot end without thanking those who gave of themselves to prepare all of thepilgrimages. We send a huge thank you to all those people, men and women, who participated in the various pilgrimages. That their efforts and tiredness may be sanctified and bring them abundant graces from heaven. Another thank you goes out to those people who accompanied us in prayer, the many people who, from Latin America to Europe, prayed for us. May God bless them!

Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Johannesburg, South Africa

A comment from Johannesburg

Those poor people Comgo. That war has gone on so long. They thought peace had come, but now it appears that the war there has started again. We have some of the refugees from Congo living here in Johannesburg and some of them are involved with Schoenstatt....it is so hard to listen to their stories and how they arrvived here. And some of them are so young... 15 or 18...