Cathedral of Christ the King of Gitega
In Gitega, the heart of Burundi, there is no church of the Rosary: the main temple is the cathedral of Christ the King, the seat of the metropolitan archdiocese of Gitega, erected as such on November 10, 1959 by St. John XXIII with the bull Cum parvulum. His history sinks the roots in the first missions of the White Fathers, and very close, in Mugera, beats the great Marian sanctuary of the country.
🌹 Wonders and anecdotes
- The Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) founded Burundi's first stable mission in Muyaga in 1898 and the second in Mugera on February 11, 1899; Mugera was the first cathedral in the country and is today its Marian national sanctuary.
- On August 15, 1961, on the eve of independence, the bishops of Burundi, with Prince Luis Rwagasore present, consecrated the nation to the Virgin Mary on Mount Mugera; that act was solemnly renewed in 2023, at the close of the 125 years of evangelization.
- St. John Paul II visited the Cathedral of Christ the King of Gitega on September 5, 1990, during his pilgrimage to Africa.
- On 15 August 2025, Cardinal Pietro Parolin proclaimed in the name of Leo XIV the elevation of the temple of Mugera to the lower basilica, the first of Burundi; each Asunción come to that sanctuary around two hundred thousand pilgrims.
Christ the King
The Cathedral of Christ the King of Gitega chairs a young and fruitful Church, born of the White Fathers just over a century ago. On his side, Mount Mugera keeps the memory of a people who, before being born as a free nation, wanted to put themselves in the hands of the Virgin Mary.
In the hands of Mary, Queen of Peace, Christ the King of the universe reigns in Burundi and in our hearts.
Is the advocation of the Virgin Mary of your people missing?
Si no encuentras la advocación mariana de tu ciudad o pueblo, cuéntanosla: la investigaremos para ubicarla y darla a conocer en este mapa del amor de la Madre por el mundo.
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