Rwanda-Burundi becomes newest Jesuit Province in Africa

by Catholic Trends

July 23, 2025

in Africa, News

Reading Time: 2 mins read

Fr. Fabien Gasigwa, SJ - Provincial, Jesuit Rwanda-Burundi Province

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Kigali, Alex Iradukunda – The Society of Jesus has elevated its mission in Central Africa with the creation of the Rwanda-Burundi Province, signaling the growth of Jesuit presence on the African continent.

This new status reflects over seven decades of pastoral commitment, educational excellence, and social engagement by the Jesuits in the region and takes effect from 31 July 2025, the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Previously a Jesuit Region under the Central African Province, Rwanda-Burundi now joins the ranks of fully established Provinces within the global Jesuit Order. The transition acknowledges the vibrant life of the local Church, the growing number of vocations, and the deep roots the Society has cultivated in both countries.

Since their first arrival in Rwanda in 1952, following invitations by King Mutara III Rudahigwa, the Jesuits have left an enduring legacy across the region. In the early years, they founded a secondary school in Kabgayi before establishing the renowned Lycée du Saint-Esprit in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Subsequent decades witnessed a steady expansion of their apostolates, including the Cyangugu Novitiate (1966), Centre Christus in Kigali (1972), the Urumuri Centre (1980), and a full academic complex in Kigali offering nursery to secondary education.

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In Burundi, Jesuit initiatives extended into higher education, pastoral care, and social outreach, most notably through the University of Burundi, development projects in Kiriri, Vugizo, Mubimbi, and Gitega, and humanitarian services like the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and Service Yezu Mwiza, which supports people living with HIV/AIDS.

The newly constituted Province is now home to over 90 Jesuits, with approximately 65 still in formation. As part of this historic development, Fr. Fabien Gasigwa, SJ, who has served as Regional Superior since 2021, has been appointed the first Provincial of the Rwanda-Burundi Province. A Jesuit since 1993 and priest since 2006, Fr. Gasigwa brings to his new role a wealth of leadership experience and a deep familiarity with the local context.

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Daily Reading

Saturday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Romans 16,3-9.16.22-27.

Brothers and sisters:Greet Prisca and Aquila, my... co-workers in Christ Jesus,
who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I am grateful but also all the churches of the Gentiles;
greet also the church at their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the firstfruits in Asia for Christ.
Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners; they are prominent among the apostles and they were in Christ before me.
Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.

Now to him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Psalms 145(144),2-3.4-5.10-11.

Every day will I bless you,
and I... will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
His greatness is unsearchable.

Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 16,9-15.

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell... you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him.
And he said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God."

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