It has been held in the capital of the Cankuzo province since Tuesday, December 26, 2023, a 5-day National Prayer of Thanksgiving under the leadership of the President of the Republic His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye, surrounded by his family and several other high personalities of the country.
During this prayer which began with a mass celebrated at the Parish of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus of Cankuzo, the Father of the Nation His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye, in his intention, prayed for Burundi and the Burundians by asking God to give the population the courage, the spirit of solidarity and love of work to be able to raise the country’s economy.
In his homily, Monsignor Blaise NZEYIMANA, Bishop of the Diocese of Ruyigi, during this Eucharistic celebration which coincided with the celebration of Saint Stephen, invited Christians, particularly the leaders of the country to be characterized by good morals and to pray for leaders.
In the afternoon, the Presidential Couple opened the parade marking the start of the crusades of this prayer at the Buhumuza stadium, a parade which saw the participation of High Personalities of the country and a crowd of the population of the Cankuzo Province, followed with the opening prayer by the First Lady, Her Excellency Angeline NDAYISHIMIYE. The First Lady glorified the Almighty for his goodness and invited the population to break with old mentalities and walk in the presence of God.
The Thanksgiving Prayer continued with the preaching of Reverend Pastor Denise NKURUNZIZA who called on Burundians to be wary of any bad act, including theft.
Drawing on the Prayer theme from Ephesians 4:28: “Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him work, doing with his hands what is good, to have something to give to those who are in need”; The Head of State His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye urged leaders to change their mentality, repent of bad practices of theft and corruption to develop the country and restore the country’s image.
On the sidelines of this prayer, the Head of State officially inaugurated the Cankuzo Presidential Gîte in Cankuzo, rehabilitated and equipped after several years. The ceremonies began with a moment of blessing of the premises, guided by the bishop of the diocese of Ruyigi.
Note that on the morning of this Tuesday, December 26, 2023, when he was passing through Ruyigi towards Cankuzo for the National Thanksgiving Prayer, the Father of the Nation His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye was warmly welcomed by the population from the locality who had run joyfully to meet him.
