Every year on August 15, Rwandan Catholics join their counterparts around the world to celebrate Assumption Day, also known as the Feast of the Assumption.

The Assumption of Mary is the teaching that the Immaculate Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. The word ‘assumption’ derives from the Latin word ‘Assūmptiō, meaning, taking up.

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Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa of Kabgayi Diocese, explains that Assumption Day is special to Rwandans, and it is celebrated because it is a feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of Jesus Christ, Son of God.

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"On this feast, we celebrate the mystery by which God assumed the Virgin Mary, body and soul, into heaven so as to share the heavenly glory of Her Son,” Bishop Ntivuguruzwa says.

He further notes that just like the Virgin Mary, believers anticipate receiving the glory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the footsteps of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Bishop Ntivuguruzwa urges Catholics to walk in the way of perfection and always be attentive to heavenly things in order to be performers and reflectors of the heavenly glory.

"We marvel at the grace that God poured out upon the Virgin Mary and at her crowning with heavenly glory,” he says.

Bishop Ntivuguruzwa also points out that Assumption Day symbolizes the Church's pursuit of perfection. "It is a day of large gatherings worldwide, particularly in Kibeho, where numerous pilgrims converge from various locations to commemorate the day."

He adds that the Virgin Mary often displays signs of her presence—here in Rwanda, some regions are privileged to have ‘Mary’s Rain’.

Kibeho Parish has been a global pilgrimage destination for Roman Catholics since the Virgin Mary was reported to have appeared on November 28, 1981. The pivotal point is Kibeho Church, where the faithful receive Holy Communion.

Today, the site is host to pilgrims throughout the year with two key dates dominating the calendar–Assumption Day (August 15) and the anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s appearance on November 28.

Father Eugène Muhire Rwigilira, Vicar at Saint Michael Cathedral, explains that Assumption Day is special for Rwandan Catholics’ faith because Mother Mary has been given to them by Jesus Christ Her Son, to be ‘our mother’ as well.

"This was under the cross, as we read in the Gospel according to John, and the day which she ascended is a reminder that we have a mother in heaven who intercedes for us, as she did at the wedding in Cana. Mary is somebody who keeps showing us the right way to get to her Son, our Saviour,” Father Rwigilira says.

He says heaven is open, stressing that Jesus promised to go and prepare a place for His friends, and Mother Mary to join Him. "Catholics ought to possess the hope of entering heaven by committing themselves to doing what is right and pleasing to God.

"We are hopeful that we shall join all the saints with Mother Mary. For us Rwandan Christians, Mother Mary visited us in Kibeho, during the apparitions in the 80s. She came to show us her motherly love and care, and this day has to be an occasion for us to show her back that love, care, and faithfulness as children to their mother.”

Father Rwigilira adds that Mary’s ascending to heaven isn’t referred to as death, but dormition as heaven opened to welcome her. Therefore, she reigns as the Queen Mother, in heaven and on earth. Lessons Catholics learn from her are her simplicity and obedience to God’s plans.

According to Anne Ingabire, a Christian who fellowships at Centre Christus Remera, Assumption Day is a remembrance that Mary deserves respect.

"We believe that she can play a role in praying for those suffering in the world, thus giving them hope that all will be well.”

Ingabire also notes that the Kibeho apparitions are evidence that we can’t forget Mary as she wishes peace for us, and believes in Her Son.

The Assumption of Mary is one of the four Marian creeds of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII defined it on November 1, 1950, in his apostolic constitution 'Munificentissimus Deus.' This dogma, revealed by God, states that the Immaculate Mother of God, after her earthly life ended, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven.

The declaration was built upon the 1854 dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, which declared that Mary was conceived free from original sin.

It leaves open the question of whether Mary died or if she was raised to eternal life without bodily death.