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

Friday of the Second week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 5,34-42.

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a... teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,
and said to them, "Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men.
Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing.
After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.
So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They were persuaded by him.
After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.

Psalms 27(26),1.4.13-14.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom... should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

One thing I ask of the LORD
this I seek:
to dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
that I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6,1-15.

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A... large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"
He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little (bit)."
One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?
Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted."
So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

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