Out of Africa – Bishop Olson celebrates first of monthly Masses for Rwandan community
Rwandan Catholics pray during the first Rwandan Mass celebrated at Our Mother of Mercy Parish on April 19, 2026. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — Recognizing its rich cultural heritage, history of suffering and healing as well as a deep faith in God, Bishop Michael Olson celebrated Mass for the growing Rwandan community at Our Mother of Mercy Parish in Fort Worth on April 19.
The special afternoon liturgy marked the first of what will become a monthly Mass for natives of the east-central African nation whose mother language is Kinyarwanda. Going forward, Father Peter Wiafe Akenteng, Our Mother of Mercy pastor, will celebrate Mass with the Rwandans on the third Sunday of the month.
“We hope and pray it brings the Rwandan community together and helps the parish expand,” said Fr. Akenteng, who is eager to learn Kinyarwanda. “Community-building is one of our focuses.”
Rwanda was the site of one of the worst atrocities of the late 20th century when more than 800,000 civilians — primarily members of the Tutsi tribe — were killed during the region’s 1994 civil war. As many as 2,000,000 Rwandans fled the country during or after the genocide.
“I know the Rwandans had trouble in their country with terrible wars,” the pastor continued. “This is a way of reconciling with one another and bringing them together as a family again, and you can only do so through the Eucharist. The Eucharist is what binds us together.”
More than 150 worshippers attended the inaugural Mass — a number that surprised organizer Dorothee Mukashema.
“I didn’t think we would have as big a turnout as we did,” said the parishioner who moved to Texas in 2016. “I’m so happy. It shows other Catholics and the diocese support us.”
The Mass is particularly important to older immigrants who have not mastered English.
“Having this chance is a big thing for their faith,” Mukashema added. “A Mass every Sunday, in our language, is the goal.”
Addressing the congregation in his homily, Bishop Olson said offering a Mass for the Rwandan Catholic community was a wonderful day in the life of the local Church in Fort Worth.
“God has given you faith to clearly recognize Him in the breaking of the bread, the Word present, and now in each other,” he continued. “It is only with faith that we are able to see a stranger as a brother or sister. Only then can we recognize Jesus Christ in our neighbor. And we can only enjoy His gift of peace by loving our neighbor as ourself.”
The celebrant reminded the Rwandan Catholic community that Pope Leo XIV currently was visiting Africa where he preached about Christ’s presence in the dignity of each and every human person.
“He is there to shine a light on the vibrant Church throughout Africa,” the bishop explained.
Before the final blessing, the bishop asked participants to tell friends about the monthly Mass “so this community might grow.”
“Thank you for being the Church that our nation needs to see and the Lord wants to show so more may be drawn to Him,” he said.
During the Mass, the congregation joined the Rwandan choir in joyful and energetic renditions of the Gloria, Creed, and other songs in the community’s native tongue.
“It makes a big difference when you can pray in your own language,” expressed choir coordinator Gabriel Gihana. “Some of us have been here more than 10 years so we’re singing hymns from our childhood. That brings back memories.”
Perched on an alcove behind the choir is an image of Our Lady of Kibeho. The statue is a reminder of the Vatican-approved Marian apparitions reported by three young Rwandan school girls in the 1980s. Identifying herself as Nyina wa Jambo (Kinyarwanda for Mother of the Word), the lady urged the visionaries to engage in prayer, forgiveness, and penance. Her words are regarded as an ominous foreshadowing of the Rwandan genocide.
“We perform a concert every year on her feast day, Nov. 28,” said Gihana, noting the parish will observe the 40th anniversary of the apparitions this year. “We are thinking of ways to engage the rest of the community in the event.”
Emma Uwaniyigena, who donated the statue to Our Mother of Mercy Parish, was just 7 years old when the apparitions first occurred in her homeland. She remembers visiting the Catholic boarding school where the Blessed Mother appeared.
“We’ve been happy to live our faith with the Our Mother of Mercy community, but we’ve been looking forward to this special Mass” she said. “It’s a wonderful way to share our traditions and culture with others.”