Elements of the Message of Kibeho
Among the aspects which support the credibility of the apparitions of Kibeho, one of the most important is undoubtedly the "dialogues" of the visionaries with Our Lady, the quality of the message itself.
Certainly, the apparitions of Kibeho were many, and the time span in which they occurred was very long; the constitutive elements of the message, however, were delivered during the first two years of the apparitions, i.e. before the end of the year 1983. The Virgin Mary communicated to her visionaries miscellaneous messages, which, however, never opposed each other; we can easily discern various common points in them. In the context of this declaration, they shall be limited to a brief overview. In general, this message could be summarized in the following themes:
1. An urgent appeal to the repentance and conversion of hearts:
“Repent, repent, repent!"
"Convert while there is still time."
2 . An assessment of the moral state of the world:
"The world conducts itself very badly." ("Ngo isi imeze nabi cyane.")
"The world hastens to its ruin, it will fall into the abyss”, in other words, “it is plunged into innumerable and unrelenting disasters." ("Ngo isi igiye kugwa mu rwobo.")
"The world is rebellious against God (ubu isi yarigometse), it commits too many sins, it has neither love nor peace."
"If you do not repent and do not convert your hearts, you will fall into the abyss."
5.The deep sorrow of the Mother of God:
The visionaries said to have seen the Virgin Mary crying on August 15th, 1982. The Mother of God was very saddened because of people’s unbelief and lack of repentance. She complained of our bad way of life, which is characterized by the slackness of customs, the likeness of evil, and continuous disobedience to God’s Commandments.
4 . "Faith and unbelief will come unseen". (“Ngo ukwemera n’ubuhakanyi bizaza mu mayeri.”)
These mysterious words were repeatedly spoken by Mary to Alfonsine at the beginning of the revelations. She was asked to repeat them to the other people.
5 . The suffering that saves:
This subject is among the most important among the revelations in Kibeho, particularly for Natalie Mukamazimpaka. Suffering, which is unavoidable in this life, is necessary for Christians to attain eternal glory. On May 15th, 1982, Mary said to her visionaries, especially to Natalie, “No one will reach heaven without suffering,” or, “A child of Mary does not reject suffering.” Suffering is both a means of compensating for the sins of the world and participating in Jesus’ and Mary’s sufferings for the salvation of the world. The visionaries were invited through this address to live very specifically, accepting suffering through faith in love, mortifying themselves and denying themselves pleasures for the conversion of the world. Thus, Kibeho is a reminder of the role of the cross in the life of a Christian and the Church.
6 . “Pray always and single-heartedly”:
People are not praying, and those who do pray, do not pray as they should. Mary begs the visionaries to pray in abundance for the whole world, to teach others to pray, and to pray for those who do not pray themselves. Mary begs us to pray with greater zeal and purity of heart.
7 . Marian devotion – expressed through sincere and regular praying of the rosary.
8 . The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary:
The visionary Marie Claire Mukangango said to have received revelations about the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. The blessed Virgin loves this rosary. Well known in the past, it had been forgotten. The Mother of God of Kibeho desires for it to be renewed and spread in the Church. However, this prayer does not replace the Holy Rosary.
9 . Mary desires that a chapel be built for her – as a sign of the remembrance of her revelations in Kibeho. This subject appears in the revelations of January 16th, 1982 and recurs many times in the course of the year with new supplements.
10 . Pray always for the Church, when many troubles are upon it in the times to come. Thus Mary said to Alfonsine on August 15th, 1983 and on November 28th, 1983.