Shrines around the World: Our Lady of Kibeho, Rwanda

by Gunther Simmermacher · March 12, 2025

Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine

Where’s that: The shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho is located south-west Rwanda.

Our Lady’s connection: Apparitions to three young women in 1981.

Kibeho in Rwanda is the only Vatican-recognised Marian apparition in Africa. (Sites like Ngome are currently approved shrines only by the authority of the local bishop).

Its story goes back to November 28, 1981, when Our Lady appeared to 16-year-old Alphonsine Mumureke as “Nyina wa Jambo”, which roughly translated means “Mother of the Word”. When she was doubted by many, Alphonsine asked Our Lady to also appear to fellow learners. The Virgin did as asked, appearing first to Nathalie

Mukamazimpaka on January 12, 1982, and then to Marie Claire Mukangango, who had previously bullied Alphonsine on account of the reported apparitions, on March 2, 1982. Four other young people also reported visions, but these are not recognised.

In the apparition of August 19, 1982, all three young women saw an apocalyptic vision of Rwanda being engulfed by terrifying violence and hatred, with Our Lady calling the people to pray to prevent a terrible war. This is widely interpreted as foreshadowing the 1994 genocide — which would claim the life of Marie Claire and her husband, among about 800000 others.

Alphonsine’s visions continued until 1989, while Marie-Clare’s ended in 1983, and Nathalie’s in 1982.

Pilgrims came to Kibeho in great numbers already in the 1980s, so the local bishop ordered a commission to investigate the reported apparitions, which culminated in the recognition of Kibeho as an official pilgrimage site in 2001.

The sanctuary at Kibeho is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, since the Virgin told Marie Clare that people should pray the chaplet of the Seven Sorrows. The first stone of the shrine was laid on November 28, 1992. It is administered by the Pallottines.