Toms River parish embraces Our Lady of Kibeho
January 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
The inspiration to bring Rwandan author Immaculée Ilibagiza to St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, started with parishioner Diane Worthy’s simple request to begin a devotion to Our Lady under the title she received after her Kibeho apparitions in the 1980s, before the Rwandan genocide.
“I brought this devotion to the attention of the Church, specifically St. Joseph’s Parish, because it was an important visitation by the Blessed Mother that needed attention at this time,” Worthy said.
She and a planning committee brainstormed ways to spread awareness of the devotion in the parish and educate people about Our Lady of Kibeho’s message of hope, “not only for the people of Africa, but also for those who are suffering all over the world,” said Worthy.
“We wanted someone who could prepare the parish for this new experience, and Immaculée was the ideal choice,” she explained. Ilibagiza is the author of “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.”
Father Scott Shaffer, pastor, advised the group to invite her to the parish.
“Her testimony inspired our faith and reminded us of the presence of light amid darkness in Rwanda. God loves us and … hasn’t abandoned the world in its suffering,” Worthy said.
In addition to Ilibagiza’s presentation, Father Shafer celebrated Mass for those who attended Nov. 3 and blessed a painting depicting the image of Our Lady of Kibeho. The committee also had a sculptor create a replica of the Our Lady of Kibeho statue, which she donated to the parish.
“The devotion was intended to reflect the needs of our Church. … We followed the request the Blessed Mother made at Kibeho to pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows,” Worthy continued. “As we contemplated our prayer petitions, lamentations, and joys for the blessings in our lives, we lifted all in thanksgiving to Jesus through Our Lady of Kibeho. The flowers brought to her shrine during the contemplation part of the devotion represented our respect for differences and the special prayers we entrusted into her care.
“This is the perfect time to bring God’s message of hope,” Worthy said. “We have to listen and respond to [Mary’s] requests for prayer and repentance.”
Although not many Catholics “are aware of her approved apparition in Africa,” she said, the devotion to Our Lady of Kibeho is increasing in popularity in the United States. The OLK committee plans to bring the devotion to the parish again next November.
“It was a beautiful spiritual journey,” Worthy said. “Mary is concerned about the salvation of souls. Her message … is crucial to everyone.”
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The inspiration to bring Rwandan author Immaculée Ilibagiza to St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, started with parishioner Diane Worthy’s simple request to begin a devotion to Our Lady under the title she received after her Kibeho apparitions in the 1980s, before the Rwandan genocide.
“I brought this devotion to the attention of the Church, specifically St. Joseph’s Parish, because it was an important visitation by the Blessed Mother that needed attention at this time,” Worthy said.
She and a planning committee brainstormed ways to spread awareness of the devotion in the parish and educate people about Our Lady of Kibeho’s message of hope, “not only for the people of Africa, but also for those who are suffering all over the world,” said Worthy.
“We wanted someone who could prepare the parish for this new experience, and Immaculée was the ideal choice,” she explained. Ilibagiza is the author of “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.”
Father Scott Shaffer, pastor, advised the group to invite her to the parish.
“Her testimony inspired our faith and reminded us of the presence of light amid darkness in Rwanda. God loves us and … hasn’t abandoned the world in its suffering,” Worthy said.
In addition to Ilibagiza’s presentation, Father Shafer celebrated Mass for those who attended Nov. 3 and blessed a painting depicting the image of Our Lady of Kibeho. The committee also had a sculptor create a replica of the Our Lady of Kibeho statue, which she donated to the parish.
“The devotion was intended to reflect the needs of our Church. … We followed the request the Blessed Mother made at Kibeho to pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows,” Worthy continued. “As we contemplated our prayer petitions, lamentations, and joys for the blessings in our lives, we lifted all in thanksgiving to Jesus through Our Lady of Kibeho. The flowers brought to her shrine during the contemplation part of the devotion represented our respect for differences and the special prayers we entrusted into her care.
“This is the perfect time to bring God’s message of hope,” Worthy said. “We have to listen and respond to [Mary’s] requests for prayer and repentance.”
Although not many Catholics “are aware of her approved apparition in Africa,” she said, the devotion to Our Lady of Kibeho is increasing in popularity in the United States. The OLK committee plans to bring the devotion to the parish again next November.
“It was a beautiful spiritual journey,” Worthy said. “Mary is concerned about the salvation of souls. Her message … is crucial to everyone.”