Ms. Ilibagiza, a Tutsi, said it is a joy to share lessons of the genocide Hutus inflicted on her tribe, so good can come from bad.
The Blessed Mother had appeared in Rwanda, saying something horrible would happen if people did not return to God, and they could prevent it by praying the rosary, but they didn’t listen, she said.
Ms. Ilibagiza said people were praying for the Rwandan president to die, rather than believing God could change him. When he died, the genocide began.
She hid with others in a bathroom as neighbors with weapons searched the house.
“They will kill you,” a voice in her head said.
“Ask God to help you,” said another voice. “He can do anything.”
Ms. Ilibagiza said she almost lost her faith, and begged God for a sign: Don’t let the killers find the bathroom door. They searched the house thoroughly, giving up just before entering the bathroom.
She read the Bible, prayed the rosary, pondered eternity and asked God to show her how to forgive the killers, she said. She realized that, like Jesus’ executioners, those killing in her country didn’t know what they were doing.
Emerging from hiding, she learned that her family members had been among one million people killed in three months, she said.
“I’m so sure there’s heaven,” she says now. God is there. If he doesn’t give you what you want, he gives you something better.
She wrote her story, “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.” She said if she can forgive, anyone can, and urged: If forced to choose between being kind and being right, be kind.
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Following her story she distributed gifts – her books, CD, a rosary – as women in the audience raised their hands to be chosen.
Alemattu Bility, from Guinea and Liberia, was given an “Our Lady of Kibeho” CD.
“I came from civil war too,” in Liberia, but didn’t lose all family members, the Rhode Island resident said. She said she cried when she heard Ms. Ilibagiza was coming here.
“It just felt good to be in her presence,” she said, expressing gratitude that she inspires others to forgive, something she doesn’t know if she’s yet achieved.
Printed with permission from The Catholic Free Press, newspaper for the Diocese of Worcester, Mass.