As It remains only some days before the opening of the Congress on the Divine Mercy, its Sanctuary in Kabuga informs all the participants about arrangements to take and the opportunities during this big event. Below is the content of the letter:
« Kabuga, August 15, 2016
To all participants to the Congress,
Dear friends in our Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Mercy of the Father,
We are approaching the date of the opening of the Africa / Madagascar Congress on Divine Mercy to be held at the Kabuga, Shrine of Divine Mercy Sanctuary, in Kabuga parish, Archdiocese of Kigali, Rwanda from September 9 to 15, 2016. You have been registered to take part and we thank you for the trust you place in us.
Dear friends, now you’re probably asking yourself this question: « In what the Congress will be helpful to me?” In fact, the Congress is a one week gathering of a variety of people from different origins in Africa and Madagascar. It is a gathering of a variety of peoples, languages, races and cultures in order to experience together the communion of believers who trust in the Divine Mercy. The Congress is therefore a time of grace to better discover the depth of the goodness and mercy of God. Also, this Congress is a time of theological reflection on the theme « DIVINE MERCY: SOURCE OF HOPE FOR NEW EVANGELISATION IN AFRICA« . Therefore, it is a time to train us to be merciful as our heavenly Father (Luke 6:36). However, to better enjoy it, good preparation is required.
I. How to prepare to better live this Congress?
a) Enter deeper into the mystery of Divine Mercy
We are going to live this ecclesial event, during a year of grace, a jubilee year of mercy. As indicated by Pope Francis, this extraordinary Jubilee mercy must be a favorable opportunity to » to gaze even more attentively on mercy, so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives, and to experience God’s love which comforts, forgives, and gives hope « (Pope Francis, Misercordiae Vultus, No. 3).
To fetch from the source of God’s Mercy, we invite you to enter more deeply into the mystery of Divine Mercy. The more we discover that Jesus reveals God’s mercy, the more we love our brothers and sisters, and so we have the desire to proclaim the Divine Mercy around us. This experience of being touched by Mercy has changed the lives of so many men and women. We will have the opportunity to listen to some testimonies.
b) Receive Mercy
To prepare for this week of grace and receive a plenary indulgence:
- Be guided by the Holy Spirit and, before the Congress, welcome his Mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation (penance), in the Eucharistic celebration and in prayer at the Hour of Mercy.
- We invite you to join, as much as possible, with us in prayer of a Novena, which started from January to September at 9: p.m, and which will continue again from September 1 to 9, 2016. The text of this Novena is annexed.
- Let yourself be upset by the distress of another, following the example of the Good Samaritan to become in your turn apostles of Mercy in action. It is said in the Scriptures: « Blessed are the Merciful » Mt 5.7. On September 13, we will have the opportunity to visit the sick, the disabled, prisoners, orphans and other distress. We can prepare ourselves in order to make a concrete act of mercy.
II. The confirmation of your participation
a) To facilitate the organization of the Congress, please ensure that you have received from us the confirmation of your registration. This is conditioned by the payment of registration expenses. When your registration is in order, we will give you other necessary information (accommodation, venue of the Congress). We are organizing the means of travel between the place of accommodation and the venue of the Congress.
b) If you should follow a diet, let us know it before.
c) The date of September 9, 2016 is reserved to welcome you. So, you are all invited to inform us on the mean of travel, the date and time of arrival so that we may know where to accommodate you.
d) While preparing your trip, please bring with you a few significant objects of your country: Remember to bring with you the flag which will be raised to represent your group to come to the Congress; an object which carries the meaning of your country that you would like to offer during the procession of the gifts during the Congress closing Mass on September 14, with a small comment or prayer that accompanies it. Please send this comment by email, as soon as possible, at the latest on 3 September.
e) We invite you to share your experience of Mercy as an individual or as a group. Share us this experience in writing. Some testimonies may be given in the groups, in different languages.
III. The proceedings of the Congress:
a) From September 10 to 14 at 7:00 a.m, every morning we organize the transport of participants by a bus that will take you from a specified location to the Congress venue at Kabuga.
b) We will gather together at Kabuga at the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, from 8:00 am to 6:00 p.m. We start the day with a community prayer followed by conferences, the Eucharist, the dinner, the Hour of Mercy, group works or missions among people in distress to make an act of mercy.
c) At the end of the day, it is expected to return to the places of accommodation where meals are provided morning and evening.
d) On September 11, we will participate in the Eucharist in a parish in Kigali, The « Regina Pacis » Parish. In the afternoon at Kabuga is planned a concert and a show around the parable of the Good Samaritan, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
e) On the night of September 13 to 14, there will be a vigil (all night) open to all. The closing of the Congress will be on September 14, with a solemn Mass, open to all and chaired by the Special Envoy of the Holy Father in the person of Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo, Archbishop of Kinshasa. The afternoon is free to visit friends or Kigali.
f) On September 15, 2016 at the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows we will all do a pilgrimage to Kibeho, site of the apparitions of Our Lady – Mother of the Word. At 6:00 a.m – departure from Kigali to the Marian Shrine of Kibeho (10:15 Talk: Mary Mother of Mercy for the new times, by Father Marie-Michel; 11:00: Mass of Our Lady of Sorrows in Kibeho; at 2:00 p.m return to Kigali and possibility of departures during the night. You will receive further program details for your arrival.
Dear Friends of the Divine Mercy, preparing ourselves to live together this ecclesial event in Rwanda, to know each other and to more love each other, to carry one another to the fountains of Mercy, let us be inspired by the Word of Jesus to Sister Saint Faustina: « Know, my daughter, that my heart is full of mercy. From this ocean of mercy, grace spread over the world. There is no soul that approached me, and left without consolation. Any misery disappears in my mercy, and every grace flows from this source. »
Hoping to receive your information very soon, we assure you of our union in prayer. At the Shrine of Kabuga, from September 1 to 9 at 3:30 p.m, we will celebrate the Holy Eucharist to the intention of the Congress, of those who support us and of those who will participate. May God rich in mercy bless you! »