The call was made by the Archbishop of Kigali, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, on August 15, 2026, as Catholics across Rwanda marked the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a feast that commemorates the Catholic belief that Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul.
The celebration brought thousands of worshippers together at churches across the country, while more than 80,000 pilgrims gathered at Kibeho in Nyaruguru District, Rwanda’s major Marian pilgrimage site, to mark the feast.
The Assumption is observed in Rwanda both at Kibeho, where Marian apparitions were reported in 1981, and in Catholic parishes where worshippers normally attend Mass.
In Kigali, large numbers of Catholics attended Mass at churches including Regina Pacis Parish in Remera and Saint Michael Parish in the city centre.
At Saint Michael, the celebrations also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese of Kigali.
Cardinal Kambanda said the Assumption should be an opportunity for Christians to reflect on how Mary lived her faith and to consider how those values can guide their own lives.
He encouraged Christians to see Mary as an example of humility and obedience to God, saying the feast is not only a celebration of her place in Catholic faith but also a reminder of the spiritual journey Christians are called to undertake.
Cardinal Kambanda said: “Because the Virgin Mary was the Mother of God, she held such a unique dignity that her body, free from sin, could not remain in the grave.
“From the earliest times, Christians believed that she was taken into heaven, body and soul. Pope Pius XII later established this as a doctrine of the Catholic faith that is not open to dispute, because it is a divine mystery beyond human reason and understanding.”
A message for families
The Assumption was also used to highlight the role of Christians in their families and communities.
Father Janvier Nshimirimana of Regina Pacis Parish said Mary’s life offers lessons for parents, particularly in raising children and creating responsible families.
“Mary also lived in a family, just as we do. The message to Christians is therefore to pay attention to raising children, just as Mary and Joseph cared for Jesus and provided what he needed,” he said.
He also urged Christians to avoid excessive individualism and instead embrace values that enable them to fulfil their responsibilities to their families and society.
For many Catholics in Kigali, the feast provided an opportunity to renew their commitment to prayer and to values associated with Mary’s life.
Nizeyimana Edouard said the celebration reminds him that Christians are on a journey towards God and can learn humility from Mary.
“This day reminds us that Mary is the Mother of God and our mother, and that we are on a journey towards God. We learn humility from her, and celebrating this day encourages us to strengthen our prayer life and daily conduct,” he said.
Kanzirisa Caritas said the celebration also influences how she raises her children.
“It encourages us to teach our children good values at home by following Mary’s example. Her humility helps us show them that humility is one of the virtues of a Christian,” she said.
More than 80,000 pilgrims gather in Kibeho
At Kibeho, more than 80,000 pilgrims from Rwanda and abroad gathered to celebrate the Assumption and pray for their personal and family needs.
Kibeho has become an important Catholic pilgrimage destination following the reported Marian apparitions that began in 1981. The apparitions were officially recognised by the Catholic Church in 2001.
Many pilgrims travelled long distances to attend the celebrations, with some walking for days as they sought spiritual renewal and prayed for their intentions.
Akankwasa Annet travelled from Mbarara in Uganda and spent the night at the Kibeho Marian Shrine. She said she came seeking help with an eye condition that makes it difficult for her to see in the evening.
“Being here in Kibeho, on this holy ground, and with the faith I have, I am hopeful that I will return home with my eyesight healed,” she said.
Nsengiyumva Samuel travelled from Kigali and said he spent a week making his way to Kibeho, praying the Rosary along the journey.
He said he came to pray for his family and ask for continued protection.
Nikomeze Judith travelled on foot from Gisagara District. She said she is preparing for her wedding in November 2026 and came to Kibeho to pray for the success of her marriage.
For the pilgrims and other Catholics who marked the feast across Rwanda, the Assumption offered an opportunity not only to honour Mary but also to reflect on the kind of lives they are expected to lead.
The celebration ultimately served as a reminder that faith, humility, prayer and responsibility towards others remain central to the Christian journey towards God.
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