This Friday, 06/26/2026, the ‘Secret of Peace’ Center welcomed over 1,000 older persons to a retreat organized by the Diocesan Commission for Family Pastoral Care in the Catholic Diocese of Cyangugu. The participants were men and women aged at least 65, coming from almost all the parishes in our Diocese.
Our 3rd age group showed, through their strong participation in this first experience, their great thirst to meet each other. We organized this gathering as part of preparing for the World Grandparents and Older Persons’ Day, which will be celebrated for the 6th time on 07/26/2026, on the feast day of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary.
The day began with the administration of the Sacrament of Penance in front of the statue of Our Lady of Kibeho, for those who had spent the night at the Center and those who had come earlier. We then prayed the rosary of the 7 Sorrows of the Virgin Mary as we climbed the Secret of Peace hill. The rosary concluded with a prayer of intercession to Divine Mercy in front of the statue of the Merciful Jesus. The participants received, in the chapel, a brief instruction from Father Thaddée NSENGUMUREMYI, President of the Diocesan Commission for Family Pastoral Care, on the theme: « They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing) (Ps 91(92),14). After the instruction, we spent an hour and a half exchanging in groups organized by parishes. It was a meaningful moment of getting to know each other, sharing experiences, raising awareness, and giving advice. His Excellency Monsignor Edouard SINAYOBYE, Bishop of the Diocese of Cyangugu, presided over the closing Mass, during which he gave the blessing that the Church provides for elderly people.
In his closing remarks, the Bishop expressed his gratitude to the elderly who participated in large numbers in the retreat. He emphasized their place in the life of the Church and the family, saying: ‘Every elderly person is a precious basket that carries a long history. I see, in front of me, several baskets filled with various treasures… Every elderly person is also an Encyclopedia in which life’s lessons are written. Anyone who wants to learn how to live can approach this Encyclopedia, as long as you know how to read it.’
Humanity, especially young people, should learn to approach older persons: without respect and consideration, one cannot read and understand the content of an elderly person’s life.” The Bishop appreciated the exchanges that took place in the participants’ groups. He promised them the Church’s listening and support, so that in their old age, they would always bear fruits. He summed up his wishes for the elderly in three sentences:
• ” I wish you a long life, according to the Lord’s will!”;
• “I wish you a peaceful old age, full of joy and generosity!”
• “I wish you an old age full of God: may your old age be one with prayer, so that future generations can be amazed by your life of faith!”
Each participant received a picture keepsake of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim and the Prayer for the Older Persons, which they all recited together before the final blessing of the retreat.
Some of the participants spoke up to share their understanding of old age and its role in transmission of faith and supporting society. They really appreciated that the Diocese facilitated them to get together. They expressed several nice wishes, including: experiencing such a retreat every year at the ‘Secret of Peace’ Center, strengthening groups and associations for older persons in parishes (choirs, etc.), praying the Novena to Saint Anne and Joachim before celebrating the World Grandparents and Older Persons’ Day, celebrating this World Day in each parish, and sharing fellowship meals after Mass.
The Diocese is committed to the Church’s vision for pastoral care of the elderly: Thinking about and putting into practice, together with the older persons, the strategies and activities that allow us to:
- Encourage the personal spiritual experience of God’s unconditional love for everyone;
- Encourage the experience of personal and group prayer;
- Encourage speaking out and sharing the word in the society;
- Encourage individual aware”ness;
- Encourage the creation of parishes elders’ committees;
- Encourage passing on traditions (see intergenerational pastoral care);
- Encourage commemoration (both personal and communal).
Cyangugu, 06/30/2026
Father Thaddée NSENGUMUREMYI,
President of the Diocesan Commission for Family Pastoral Care in Cyangugu.