After almost a year of anticipation, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, the Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine was blessed and dedicated following a spirited Mass at The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. 

Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, presided over the 11 a.m. Mass with concelebrants including Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, rector of the Basilica Shrine, and Homilist Fr. Patrick Obot, CM. More than 350 people were in attendance.  

The Marian Mass 

Deacon James Mahoney, associate rector of the Basilica Shrine, and other members of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal worked tirelessly with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Black Catholics to ensure the day was a success.  

Deacon Mahoney recalled how he put together the content for the Mass. He said, “We have our own Marian Missal [at the Basilica Shrine] and our own Marian Lectionary. I said, ‘If we’re going to have a celebration, we probably should make it ours.’ I looked through that Missal, and there was a Mass of Dedication, and when I read it, I said, ‘This is it! This is the one we need to use,’ and the readings we used went along with that. Then I selected a reading from St. Paul from that Sunday, which was perfect for it. So, it all fit together beautifully.” 

In the vibrant liturgy, these selected readings and prayers were spoken in multiple languages, honoring the rich heritage and radiant culture of Africa while celebrating Our Blessed Mother. In addition, the African Catholic Choir filled the Basilica Shrine with captivating song, and the praise dancers’ expressive movement paid homage to Our Lady of Kibeho. 

After Mass, Marian devotees headed outdoors to St. Vincent’s Rosary Walk, where the mosaic Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine was formally dedicated and blessed by Bishop Esmilla.  

An Impactful Collaboration  

This new shrine in Philadelphia is more than 7,000 miles from Kibeho, Rwanda, where Our Blessed Mother, delivering a message of repentance and conversion of hearts, appeared to three young women.

A generous grant from Willa Stokes, a Black Catholic donor and neighbor of the Basilica Shrine, made the Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine possible. The shrine’s construction was facilitated through the Martin de Porres Foundation in collaboration with the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal.

The Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine celebrates Black Catholic spirituality and supports the universality of the Church in a visible way, as Our Lady spoke the same language and appeared in the same image of the young women whom she visited. 

Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, rector of the Basilica Shrine said, “It is wonderful to have this depiction of Mary at the Basilica Shrine. Our Lady of Kibeho is the first Vatican-approved apparition of Mary in Africa.” 

Deacon Mahoney agreed. “It’s important because it says that everyone belongs here [at the Basilica Shrine]. You are welcome. This is your Blessed Mother. It’s Our Blessed Mother who wants all of her children to come here and to honor her for who she is. She’s the Mother of Our Lord and Savior.” 

As the events drew to a close, many congregants took the opportunity to pose for photos next to the Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine. Others prayed in silence. Afterward, congregants met inside the Basilica Shrine for refreshments and conversation. 

Our Lady of Kibeho’s Love and Hope for All
The Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine is a reminder for repentance and conversation. But it also serves to reinforce that Mary’s love stretches across the world; that sorrow becomes hope; and that we are all her children, united in the Catholic Church. 

Our Lady of Kibeho will remain a focus of reflection at the Basilica Shrine into autumn. On Saturday, October 25, Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan American author whose book Our Lady of Kibeho: Mary Speaks to the World from the Heart of Africa relates the apparitions, will lead a day-long retreat, which includes two morning sessions, Mass, and book signing.