Forgiveness and Inner Peace


Immaculée Ilibagiza's story of forgiveness is a powerful and poignant one, set against the backdrop of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Here is a detailed account of her journey toward forgiveness:

The Genocide and Hiding


In April 1994, following the assassination of the Rwandan President, Immaculée's life was drastically altered. To protect her from the violence targeting Tutsi tribe members, her father sent her to hide in a small 3 x 4-foot bathroom at a local pastor's house, where she stayed with seven other women for 91 days. During this time, she heard the sounds of violence and slaughter outside, including the screams of victims and the cries of a baby left to die after its mother was killed

Struggle with Anger and Hatred


Immaculée, a devout Catholic, struggled intensely with anger, hatred, and a desire for revenge against the Hutu killers who had murdered her family and countless others. She felt overwhelmed by her emotions, which threatened to consume her. Despite her faith, she grappled with the idea of forgiving those responsible for such atrocities. Voices of doubt and hatred often berated her, questioning her worthiness to ask God for help due to her own hatred

Turning Point Through Prayer


A critical moment in her journey came when she heard the cries of the abandoned baby. This incident prompted her to ask God, "How can I forgive people who would do such a thing to an infant?" In response, she heard a clear and profound answer: "You are all My children…and the baby is with Me now." This epiphany changed her perspective; she realized that the killers, though infected with evil, were still children of God and deserving of love and forgiveness. She began to pray for the killers, asking God to forgive their sins and guide them toward His light


Forgiveness and Inner Peace


With this newfound understanding, Immaculée's heart began to open to forgiveness. She held onto her father's rosary and prayed intensely, hearing God's voice say, "Forgive them; they know not what they do." This moment marked a significant step toward forgiveness, allowing her to pity the killers and find inner peace. For the first time since hiding in the bathroom, she slept peacefully


Post-Genocide Forgiveness


After the genocide ended, Immaculée faced another challenging test of her forgiveness. She visited Felicien, the man who had killed her mother and brother, in a local jail. Despite the anger and resentment that could have resurfaced, she chose to forgive him. When face to face with Felicien, she asked him about his actions and then forgave him, saying, "I forgive you." This act of forgiveness had a profound impact on those present, including a Tutsi official who was initially furious but later came to understand the necessity of forgiveness



Ongoing Journey


Immaculée's journey toward forgiveness was not a one-time event but a continuous process. Even after forgiving Felicien, she still grappled with grief and the memories of her family's suffering. However, she never again agonized over their suffering, thanks to a dream in which her brother told her to love and forgive those who had wronged them. Her faith, rooted in devotion to God and Mary, and her daily recitation of the rosary, helped her maintain this path of forgiveness and healing


Immaculée Ilibagiza's story is a testament to the transformative power of forgiveness, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy and suffering. Her journey highlights the importance of faith, prayer, and the recognition that all individuals are children of God, deserving of love and forgiveness.

Note: Readers can send their real stories of forgiveness to ujjwal.sarkar@gmail.com for posting on my blog.


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