My name is Sr. Guema Uwanyiligira, I am a Marist Missionary sister from Rwanda and I work in Senegal in the outskirts of Dakar. My Mission parish is under the patronage of Saint John Paul II. The day of His canonisation (April 27th, 2017) was an important day for the Church of Senegal and in particular for my parish which is named after St. John Paul II.
Joy of his canonization
On the day of his canonisation, the associations of Dakar, the Christian communities and the movements that carry the name of His Holiness, united to celebrate this joyfilled occasion with all the parishes. Present in large numbers were a group of young people who are called “the generation of St. John Paul II.”
Witness of unity
An event that really impressed me that day and will stay forever in my memory was the generosity of a Senegalese Muslim, his name is Malick Gakou, who did his studies in Poland during the pontificate of St. John Paul II. He has a great love and devotion for his Holiness John Paul II. With his own money he had made a statue of St. John Paul II. He brought the relics of His Holiness from Poland, for the Catholic community of Dakar in our parish, for this joyfilled celebration.
Inspiring heritage
This year, 2017, coincides with the 25th anniversary of the visit of St. John Paul II to Senegal in 1992. To celebrate this memorable event the Episcopal Conference of Bishops asked our parish to receive all people who pray to commemorate this event and to revisit the heritage of St. John Paul II who was a pilgrim, a missionary and a great lover of God and of mankind.
Sr. Guema Uwanyiligira, Dakar