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

Monday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Galatians 4,22-24.26-27.31.5,1.

Brothers and sisters: It is written that Abraham... had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman.
The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise.
Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.
But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother.
For it is written: "Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband."
Therefore, brothers, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman.
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

Psalms 113(112),1-2.3-4.5a.6-7.

Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise... the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.

From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.

Who is like the LORD, our God,
who looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11,29-32.

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus... said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here."

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