Testimonies

Marie Claire Mukangango

As the Virgin Mary's apparitions were a series of extraordinary events that were happening at the college, Marie Claire Mukangango, a bully of Alphonsine and Nathalie, was the third student whom the Mother of the Word revealed herself to on March 2nd, 1982. Her apparition started during a class short break at 10:00 AM, when out of the routine, she invited a random student for a short walk around a tomato garden behind the dormitory. Shortly, Marie Claire blacked out and felt carried away in a terrifying dark place, breathing very different air than usual. She found herself running without knowing where she was heading to, and suddenly stopped in the chapel, which she did not like because Alphonsine usually spent her time there. She saw frightening human figures all in black threatening to destroy her. This happened to her twice. Later on, that same day, during a singing lesson, Nathalie requested permission to go to the dormitory, and it was granted. Sister Blandine somehow sensed that Nathalie had an apparition appointment at 09:00 AM, which was approaching. She invited all class to follow Nathalie to witness what was about to happen, and Marie Claire was among the students. As Marie Claire was concentrated on Nathalie's apparition, she had an extensive fear that grew intolerably in her body. Suddenly, she felt taken away in a wonderful and brilliant isolated place. Slowly her fear faded. She heard a lovely and tender voice calling her and asking her to not fear. On that day, Marie Claire and Nathalie had a joint apparition. On March 06th, 1982, Marie Claire was again taken to the beautiful place where she clearly and closely saw the Virgin Mary. On that same day, The Virgin Mary taught the seven-sorrow rosary to Marie Claire and demanded her to teach others how it is recited, which was her special message from the Mother of the Word. Sadly, Marie Claire Mukangango and her Husband, Elie Ntabadahiga, were killed in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Nathalie Mukamazimpaka

“The virgin Mary's beauty is astonishing to the point that I cannot get any reference to it in this world. Her skin complexion is very different from ours. She neither looks like black, white, Indian, Arabic nor Mixed race. She is magnificent”. Nathalie Mukamazimpaka said. Nathalie Mukamazimpaka is also one of the three seers approved by the Church in 2001. As a daughter of Laurent Ngango and Gaudence Mukabaziga, she who was born in 1964 at Munini in the current district of Nyaruguru, in the parish of Muganza, Diocese of Gikongoro.. The apparition was an unusual moment at school. Nathalie and other students did not fully understand and found it hard to believe what Alphonsine said about her seeing the Mother of the Word (“Nyina wa Jambo”) because they had no facts. Nathalie Mukamazimpaka loved praying, but she had never thought of apparitions until the first time the Virgin Mary appeared to her, in January 12th 1982. As Nathalie Mukamazimpaka testifies it, the Virgin Mary used to give them an appointment with the date that she will visit them. Two years later, the Virgin Mary disclosed that she wouldn’t reveal herself publicly. Instead, she will be sending signs of her presence to the people who visit Kibeho. So, ever since July 1982, Nathalie has been permanently staying at the site of the apparitions at Kibeho.

Alphonsine Mumureke

"There are emotions that carry me away every time I recall that life changing experience." Alphonsine Mumureke said. On November 28th, 1981, a series of extraordinary events unfolded. Alphonsine Mumureke is an approved seer by the Catholic Church in 2001. She was born on March 21st, 1965 in Cyizihira, the parish of Zaza, Diocese of Kibungo, as the daughter of Thaddée Gakwaya and Mary Immaculate Mukarasana. She was baptized on July 27th, 1977, at the age of 12 years. Alphonsine Mumureke, a 16 years old student, was attending a college run by nuns when she saw an extraordinary figure that none else could see. She said: “ It was on a Saturday, just like any other day at school, and I was tidying up the plates in the dining hall when I heard the voice saying, "child", then I found myself isolated and lost sight of my friends around me. All I could see was a lady standing in the cloud, and I asked her, "Who are you, my lady?" and she answered, "I am the Mother of the Word".” The Mother of the Word asked her to encourage her friends to pray with her and told her about her future visits. Alphonsine Mumureke recounted what she had seen to the college's headmistress, whom, however, did not believe her and urged to stop all her silliness. Nevertheless, this did not stop the Virgin Mary’s visit to her, and she kept her stand about the Mother of the Word's message. The Gisaka region where Alphonsine came from was known for magic practices and occultism, so people began to think that Alphonsine was working with supernatural forces. She found it very hard for her to fully make everyone at school believe her story due to so many negative critics. Therefore, she prayed for strengths and guidance from the Mother of the Word to get through the uncertainties. Sticking on the rosary, attending mass, living her Son's mysteries and living the sacrament that the Church offers are the essentials of where she drew her strengths to get through her hardships. "What I can say as the message for the world is to love the Virgin Mary, to recite the Rosary, and to convert." Alphonsine concluded. Alphonsine showed so much interest in becoming a nun, and currently, she is consecrated in the monastery in Italy.