Ndi Nyina wa Jumbo; I am the Mother of the World

[Source: Fr. Richard J. Beyer's Blessed Art Thou. I was privileged to be his Chaplain's Assistant for six weeks or so]

Adaptation from pages 399-401.

"The central African country of Rwanda has recently experienced a genocide so vast that the world has stood by in shock and disbelief at the devastation.

"Eleven years before, the Mother of God had given the young seers of Kibeho a startling eight-hour vision; what they saw terrified them: a river of blood, people killing one another, abandoned corpses, a tree in flames, bodies without heads. The visionaries could not control their tears and anguish, and those present, estimated at 20,000, had a sensation of great sorrow and fear.

"The reported apparitions in this small African country began in November of 1981 and lasted approximately two years.

"First of the seers was Alphonsine Mumureke, aged sixteen at the time and a student at Sister's College in Kibeho.

"She was helping to serve dinner when a voice called, My daughter, whereupon she went toward the corridor, instinctively knelt and asked:

Who are you?

"The Virgin replied, Ndi Nyina wa jumbo, I am the Mother of the world.

"And later: I have heard your prayers. I desire that you and you[r] companions have greater faith, for some have very little.

"Alphonsine described the Blessed Mother in these words:

She was not really white like we see in the pictures. I could not determine the color of her skin, but she was of incomparable beauty. She was wearing a white dress with no seams and a white veil on her head. Her hands were joined together and turned toward heaven. When she left, I saw her ascending toward heaven like Jesus.

"Bishop Jean Gahamanyi of Kibeho has written an encouraging pastoral letter outlining the events and messages of Kibeho, and invites the faithful to be patient as the church continues its investigation."