Youths in the Catholic Church should be massagers of the message of Apparition of Mother Mary of Kibeho in Rwanda.
This has been emphasized by Nathalie Mukamazimpaka one of the three college girls then who received the message of mother Mary between 1981 and 1989, where the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the world warned of bloodshed in the world.
Mukamazimpakawho received Mother Mary’s message on January 12th 1982 informed her of suffering and prayer for a world that is very bad and at risk of falling into an abyss.
In her message to a group of 45 pilgrims from different parts of Uganda who went for a special pilgrimage to Kibeho from 1st to 6th September 2024, under the theme; “Behold Your Mother’ drawn from John 19:27”, said Youth form the highest numbers in the world today and to some extent they might be equally part of the social happening that needs to listen to the voice of God through Mother Mary.
Organized by the Youth Office at the Uganda Episcopal Conference led by the Secretary Joyce Zako, the youth should always reflect on the needs and challenges of the world today that is driven by technology and its associated challenges.
In the course of the week, the pilgrims had discussions with different priests among others Rev. Fr. Wadri Aluma Robert, a formatter at the Masaka-based National Major Seminary Katigondo, who warned the youth on the irresponsible use of technology which is harmful to individuals, society around and the world at large.
He noted that technology has become a necessity in today’s society as it eases work in various professions; however there is need to cope up with it in a responsible manner.
He pointed out Artificial Intelligence as affecting everyone including students in schools and institutions of high learning saying much as it holds a lot of professional benefits, it is likely to create non critical thinkers since this kind of technology, is using the machines to simplify work that seems to replace human conscience.
Fr. Aluma emphasized that technology especially that of social media, poses a big challenge on morals and values like degenerating human dignity, deceit, blackmail and bullying among others while addiction to the use of smart phones has a health threat to its users.
The Youth Chaplain of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Waziwazi Ggonzaga in his address to the young pilgrims on the theme; “Behold Your Mother emphasized the place of Mother Mary in the Roman Catholic Church as an intercessor and protector of everyone who runs up to her, like a child and mother love”.
Fr. Waziwazi said through the school of Mary, Christians learn to trust God as the virgin Mary trusted God in a message presented to her by the Angel, Gabriel. In this Christians learn to surrender to God imitating mother Mary who accepted God’s will, hospitality, hope, faith among other values.
Kibeho that was originally a very remote area has turned into a busy place throughout the year. Many pilgrims from across the world flock the place purposely to increase their faith because of the Marian Apparitions of the 1980s as well as pilgrimages that emerged as a result of the Apparitions.
The three college girls who received the Marian Apparitions are Rev. Sr. Aliphonsine Mumureke who lives in Italy, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka who currently lives in Kibeho and Marie Claire Mukangango who died during the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.
Since 1992, Kibeho has belonged to Gikongoro Catholic Diocese with a big plan of improving on the existing and construction of a new Chapel of our lady of sorrows.
The pilgrimage was organized in honor of the sixty years anniversary of the canonization of the Holy Uganda Martyrs. However due to its importance it may become an annual pilgrimage of the youth every September.
By Florence Nangendo
12th September 2024
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