{"id":7717,"date":"2025-05-13T07:39:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T07:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jubile2025-fatima.org\/may-3-2025-an-unusual-1st-saturday-of-the-month-with-nearly-10000-faithful-in-burundi\/"},"modified":"2025-05-15T16:16:41","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T16:16:41","slug":"may-3-2025-an-unusual-1st-saturday-of-the-month-with-nearly-10000-faithful-in-burundi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jubile2025-fatima.org\/en\/may-3-2025-an-unusual-1st-saturday-of-the-month-with-nearly-10000-faithful-in-burundi\/","title":{"rendered":"May 3, 2025, an unusual 1st Saturday of the month with nearly 10,000 faithful in Burundi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The fifth1st<\/sup> Saturday of the Jubilee month, May 3, 2025, was held on the African continent. The chosen shrine was that of “Marie Reine de la Paix” in Mugera, Burundi. This country, the poorest in Africa, is at the heart of the Great Lakes region, a region affected by a war that has claimed almost ten million lives in thirty years and continues today. The peace of Fatima is therefore a crucial issue, and the bishops of Burundi unanimously wanted a major event. The scale of this1st<\/sup> Saturday of the month marks a turning point in the Jubilee 2025. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Two weeks before the event: <\/strong>The team coordinating the1st<\/sup> Saturday of the month in Burundi, in liaison with the central Jubilee management in Europe, spares no effort in a country where transport is complex and very expensive: as the country’s service stations are closed, fuel is often distributed in water bottles. The team, led by a layman named B\u00e9nit, assisted by a committee of 12 priests and some 50 faithful, is exceptional. It travels the country in vehicles rented by the organization, enabling it to cover all dioceses. It handles every aspect of the event: relations with Church, administrative and police authorities, the presence of first-aid attendants, preparation of the choir, site decoration, choice of songs, generator, sound system, photo and video coverage, and so on. Nothing is left to chance. The days often last until 3am. No one is counting the hours. What self-sacrifice, what efficiency! Of course, the Jubilee organization will cover the costs, but without the faith of the organizers, the priests, the nuns, the laity, without the support of the bishops of the episcopal conference, without the fierce determination to make this1st<\/sup> Saturday an exemplary moment, nothing so exceptional would have been possible. Here, in Africa’s poorest country with a deeply rooted Marian faith, nothing is too good for the Blessed Virgin. Burundi will thus celebrate the biggest1st<\/sup> Saturday of the Jubilee month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday May 2, eve of D-Day<\/strong>. The faithful begin to flock to the Sanctuary of Mary Queen of Peace in Mugera, thanks to the carefully prepared shuttle bus routes throughout the country. Throughout the night, the 36 buses chartered by the Jubilee organization made one rotation after another. But given the scale of the demand, this was far from enough. Many worshippers, aware that they won’t find a place, choose to come on foot. After a warm welcome from the rector, Abb\u00e9 Venant Mpozako, and a mass celebrated at 6pm by Abb\u00e9 Savin Ndereyimana, secretary of the bishops’ conference, a long night of adoration and singing began in preparation for Saturday 1st. A whole night of prayer, even though some had walked several days to get here… What a lesson in faith! The songs and Rosary for this vigil were prepared by Abb\u00e9 D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Ninahazimana. While the faithful keep vigil, the buses keep arriving, bringing pilgrims until 8am. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday May 3, 8:00 am<\/strong>: The pilgrimage begins. At the head of the procession, the large statue of Our Lady of Fatima is carried forward with fervor. The joyful mysteries are recited in Kirundi. A pious crowd of men, women, often with babies, and children, follow their heavenly Mother in great humility and piety. This country, scarred by a civil war that left 300,000 dead, is now moving forward in hope, fulfilling the act requested at Fatima to bring peace to Burundi and the world. The second rosary begins. And then, a magnificent coincidence: the path taken by the pilgrims is a veritable Way of the Cross leading to the shrine. Praying the sorrowful mysteries, the crowd passes the stations, including the one where Jesus meets his Mother. Tears flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n