NEWS
Immaculee to Speak at Thomas More College
Immaculée Ilbagiza will speak at a free program at 7:30 pm Feb. 7 at Thomas More College (Crestview Hills, KY). A survivor of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Immaculee has spoken around the world about peace, faith and forgiveness. The presentation is one of several free February events planned in honor of St. Thomas More's birthday.
As a 19-year-old university student, Immaculée spent 91 days huddled with seven other women in the bathroom of a local pastor's house during the massacre that killed at least half a million people -- some estimates are more than a million. When the women finally emerged, emaciated and traumatized, Immaculee found that most of her family had been slaughtered.
Immaculée credits her salvation to prayer and to a set of rosary beads given to her by her devout Catholic father. At first, she says, anger and resentment ate her alive. But rather than succumbing to rage she turned to prayer and, eventually, found it possible to forgive. Now living in the United States, Immaculée has written two books about her experiences. Left to Tell; Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust has been translated into 15 languages and published around the world. She also speaks about her devotion to Our Lady of Kibeho, an approved Marian apparition in Rwanda. She has written two books about the 1981 apparition, which she says predicted the genocide. Her DVD about the apparition, If Only We Had Listened, says it is not too late to learn from Mary's words, which were meant for the whole world.
Thomas More College President Sr. Margaret Stallmeyer says, "We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to have Immaculée share her amazing story of faith and forgiveness with our College community, and we hope our friends and partners in the Greater Cincinnati area will join us that evening to learn more about her story."
Following the presentation, Immaculée will hold a book sale and signing to benefit her Left to Tell Charitable Fund for Rwandan orphans. There is no charge for the talk organized by the Colleges Campus Ministry department, but tickets are required. For reservations click on the link to the left of this story.
Other birthday events:
Feb. 6, noon: The Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers.
Feb. 10, 7 pm: A Night of Irish Music featuring Ceol Mohr, Murphy's Law, and Silver Arm.
Feb. 19, 2 pm: 20th Annual Caden Blincoe Outloud Festival; dedicated to the memory of David Dick, featured speaker Richard Hague
For information call Professor Ray Hebert at (859) 344-3310 or see the college web site.
Photo courtesy Immaculee Ilibagiza.
