Rwanda: Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth

November 14, 2012: The Pilgrimage of Trust in Kigali, to be held from November 14 to 18, 2012, will be an international meeting for young people, a step along the “pilgrimage of trust on earth”, begun by the Taizé Community’s founder the late Brother Roger.

The most recent stages of the pilgrimage were held in Asia (Manila, 2010), South America (Santiago del Chile, 2010) and Europe (Rotterdam, 2010). Several thousands of young people will gather from Rwanda and other East-African countries. There will also be representatives from South Africa, Madagascar, Sudan, Zambia, Malawi, DRC ... and from Europe, America and Asia.

The aim of the meeting is to celebrate Christ, to go together to the wellsprings of trust and renew our commitment in the Church and society. Common prayer (with silence and meditative singing), Bible reflection, sharing of life experiences, hospitality in families and local Christian communities will be the central elements of the meeting.

The morning programme will be organised in the parishes of the city and surrounding area (morning prayer, visiting and meeting with “people of hope”). The afternoon programme will consist of Bible reflection, sharing in small groups, workshops and seminars on various themes (social issues, cultural presentations ...). Participants will be accommodated by local Churches in families.

After the 1994 genocide, which killed at least eight hundred thousand people, Rwandans made great efforts for the reconstruction and development of their country. Attend the meeting in Kigali will therefore also a sign of confidence in the rescue of an entire nation. "Do not go to Rwanda to comment or judge the past, with endless discussions - explain even the leaders of the Taizé Community, quoted in L'Osservatore Romano - but to get us to listen to those who welcome us and to strengthen our resolve and our willingness to engage in our lives. Together we meditate on the source of our faith, the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ, and his love is stronger than evil and violence. Meet those who lived through the tragedy of the 1994 genocide and its consequences, those who have experienced the pain lasts, those who have struggled for years to find the peace and freedom of the heart and can now face the challenge of reconciliation in their communities and participate in the construction of their country, will be a unique gift and experience of the Gospel. "