More than 80,000 Catholic faithful from Rwanda and abroad gathered in Kibeho, Nyaruguru District, on Saturday to mark the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
The annual celebration, held every August 15, is one of the major religious events at Kibeho, a renowned Catholic pilgrimage site that attracts worshippers from across Rwanda and other countries.
The Assumption Day Mass was led by Bishop Jean Bosco Ntagungira of the Diocese of Butare, alongside Bishop Célestin Hakizimana of the Diocese of Gikongoro.
In his homily, Bishop Ntagungira urged the faithful to renew their commitment to spreading the messages associated with the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Kibeho.
He encouraged Christians to give greater value to the messages and use them as a source of inspiration for positive change in society.
The bishop also called on the faithful to continue praying for the Catholic Church, recalling the messages attributed to the Virgin Mary during the reported apparitions to three girls — Alphonsine Mumureke, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka and Marie Claire Mukangango.
Kibeho is closely associated with reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the 1980s. The Catholic Church recognized the apparitions, establishing Kibeho as an important pilgrimage and prayer site.
The site attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, particularly on major Catholic feast days such as the Assumption.
For Catholics, the Assumption commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken up into heaven.
In Rwanda, August 15 is a public holiday, allowing Catholic faithful to attend religious services and join celebrations at Kibeho.
