A Six-Day Retreat for Priests in Rwanda

“To His open Heart, the Savior invites all to draw water in joy from the springs of salvation.” So runs the Preface for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is on the same day as the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. The many seminarians we are supporting dream of becoming holy priests. To preserve this holy longing from becoming dulled by the trials of everyday life, we need to strengthen priests in their connection with the “springs of salvation.” Retreats and spiritual exercises are a vital means to this end.

And so we have received an appeal from Rwanda in central Africa. During the Rwandan genocide of 1994, at least 10 priests from the Diocese of Gikongoro were murdered, while the rest were forced to flee. Churches and church facilities were looted and destroyed, and afterwards, Church life had to be completely rebuilt. At first, it was very hard to attract young men to serve God in the priesthood, since the young people were generally profoundly traumatized; but now, the diocese has 54 priests in active ministry!

Their bishop has asked us for $130 for each priest, so that they can take part in a series of six-day retreats. Will you join us in helping them?

145-01-79