This Mass was also celebrated in various Catholic parishes worldwide, as Christians came together to mark Easter, the day commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. Easter is the most important feast upon which the faith of the Catholic Church is founded.
In his message, Cardinal Kambanda urged Christians to be rooted in faith, stressing that they cannot overcome the challenges of this world without it.
He said, “Faith is the foundation of everything, because the problems we see-such as broken families and wars around the world, evil and wickedness, all reflect a lack of faith. Let us be deeply rooted in faith and become true witnesses of Christ in our world.”
He also encouraged believers to let the celebration of Easter strengthen their love, helping them avoid acts of violence and wrongdoing.
He added, “May the risen Christ help us overcome bad habits and hatred, lift us from the darkness of sin, and bring us into His marvelous light.”
Cardinal Kambanda reminded Christians that this Easter should renew their faithfulness, noting that many things today discourage people, and sometimes people even discourage one another, yet they are called to remain strong.
He said, “Today, the desire for material things has overtaken the love of God, yet one cannot serve two masters.”
As the period of commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi approaches, he pointed out that it reflects a lack of Christian values, where true witnesses of faith were few. He also drew a connection between that tragedy and the suffering of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that remembrance should go hand in hand with reflection.
He said, “Jesus Christ suffered with those we remember and forgave among them. Like Him, they were persecuted, mistreated, hated, betrayed, and killed. As we remember their suffering, we reflect that they were our parents, siblings, and children with whom we shared life’s journey.”
He added that this connection should inspire continuous remembrance of the genocide, as well as care and compassion for survivors, who still need support and love.
He concluded by urging Christians to pray for peace in the country, the region, and the world, so that people may live together in harmony.
Photos by IGIHE taken from Sainte Famille Cathedral
