Pilgrimage Activities

To complete this stop of the virtual pilgrimage take some time to do one of the pilgrimage activities! This month's pilgrimage activities are…

Make a Rwandan dinner!

Trying other types of food is a great way to get a glimpse into another culture. While you can probably find more Rwandan recipes on the internet, here's one to get you started.

Rwandan Bananas with Green Split Peas:

Cook 2 cups dried green split peas in enough water to cover until tender (1.5 hours).
Peel 4 ripe bananas (or plantains);
lay whole banana on top of peas.
Cook 10 minutes, until bananas are soft;
add water if necessary to prevent peas from sticking to bottom of pot.
Brown 1 small onion thinly sliced in 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet.
Drain bananas and peas; add to onions. Add 1/2 tsp salt;
cook over medium heat, stirring gently until oil is absorbed.
Serve hot.

Reading and Reflection

In 2003 Ruby Mikell traveled to Rwanda with the Called to Witness program. This CRS program sponsors youth and young adult ministers to travel overseas and return to share the experience with their youth groups. She wrote the following reflection about her experience.

In less than 10 years [Rwanda] has made a conscious decision that forgiveness was key for repairing the damage done by the genocide (referred to as "the war" by Rwandans). They realized that they had to take a remarkable step to mend their country's wounds and work towards achieving cohesiveness in order to move ahead. Our faith teaches us to seek forgiveness but oftentimes we find this to be a difficult task. One Rwandan that we met asked that the people of America pray for the faith of Rwandan people. We can do that. I think we should ask the people of Rwanda to pray for our faith, that we learn to forgive the way they have.

Take some time to read and reflect on this passage. What can we learn from the Rwandan examples of forgiveness? Would it change the way we act in our homes, schools, families, and government? Can we take this to heart enough to approach Rwandan Catholics as brothers and sisters of our Catholic faith when we get to WYD?

Pray for Peace

The greatest form of activism is prayer. Take some time to pray for the Rwandan people. Visit the Celebrating the African Family Tree: A Service of Prayer and Praise. It's meant to be prayed in small groups. Consider gathering a couple of friends and family or simply pray it on your own.

Learn more about Rwanda

Visit the following web-links to learn more about Rwanda and CRS outreach.

CRS Rwanda: Information about the work of CRS in Rwanda
USCCB Bishops Statements on Rwanda: Official statements from the US Bishops on Rwanda
Images from Rwanda: View the drawings and paintings of youth minister, Catherine Wagner Minnery, who traveled to Rwanda with CRS in 2002.