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Kibeho Holy Center: Rwanda’s Sacred Site of Apparitions and Pilgrimage

Kibeho Holy Center – Do you want to feel close to Jesus? Kibeho Holy Center offers the spiritual encounter you are seeking.

Comfortably seated on the stony land of Nyaruguru district in Rwanda, the shrine holds a mesmerizing story.

Back in time, three girls had an encounter with the Virgin Mary.

Sadly, Marie Claire Mukangango was killed during the 1994 genocide. Sister Alphonsine Mumureke is now a nun residing in France, while Nathalie Mukamazimpaka remains at home and lives in Kibeho Holy Center.

The site has become a pilgrimage destination, attracting a variety of people throughout the year.

The pilgrimage journey from Uganda starts at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala at 6 p.m., traveling through the Kampala-Masaka Highway.

By the time the green scenery disappears into the darkness, you will have reached Kibale Road. Several stopovers are made along the way to pray as the bus winds through hilly terrain.

By 4 a.m., you will arrive at the Katuna border, where a bustling trade atmosphere greets you. Feel free to purchase anything that catches your heart’s desire.

The clearing process at the border may take some time, so it is advisable to pack warm clothing, as the area is very cold.

You can also enjoy a cup of hot coffee while you wait.

If you plan to cross the border, make sure you have a passport and a valid national ID.

Those without these documents may face a bit of a hassle, as they have to pay UGX 10,000 for a temporary border pass.

Plastic bags are not allowed in Rwanda, so you will be asked to leave them at the border.

Once you proceed to Kigali, you can take a stroll in the city while waiting for other pilgrims who traveled by air.

During this time, you will discover many interesting things as you interact with the local people.

For example, women in Kinyarwanda are referred to as “abakoobwa.”

Once you’re back on track, you take the Butare-Matyazo route, which is 162 km to Our Lady of Kibeho Shrines.

Upon arrival, you can check into Centre D’Accueil Notre Dame, a hotel within the shrine area, where you will stay for the next two days.

At 6 p.m., you will head to the apparition site in front of the sanctuary, where a tour guide will take you through the history and significance of the shrines.

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