The Building Project

Father Ubald was a visionary. He knew that there was a need to provide a dedicated place for the thousands of people from Rwanda; the neighboring countries of Burundi, Congo, Tanzania, Uganda; and from all corners of the world who would come seeking reconciliation, healing, and peace.

He had an inspired vision to build out and fully develop the 70-acre property that is home to the Center for the Secret of Peace.

 

VISIT THE CENTER

Father Ubald’s vision for the new Center

Father Ubald’s vision for the property included:

  • A Main Sanctuary Chapel
  • Side Chapel for Eucharistic Adoration
  • Outdoor Podium for Masses on the Terraced Steps along Lake Kivu
  • Hospitality and Welcome Center for the thousands of pilgrims and guests
  • Retreat Center
  • Home for Retired Priests
  • Home for Nuns who would care for the Retired Priests
  • Outdoor Areas for Formal and Private Prayer
    • Rosary Walk
    • Seven Sorrow Walk in honor of Our Lady of Kibeho
    • Divine Mercy Jesus

Phases of the building project

PHASE ONE

In 2019 Father Ubald’s vision came to life. The construction and dedication of the Main Chapel, Adoration Chapel, Rosary Walk, Seven Sorrows Walk, and Divine Mercy Jesus, and private rooms for the two priests who staff the Center. A well was drilled to provide fresh, clean drinking water for the Center and all the people who live in the vicinity of the Center.

PHASE TWO

In 2023, the Board of the Center for the Secret of Peace, including the Bishop of the Diocese of Cyangugu, completed a master site plan to direct the complete fulfillment of Father Ubald’s original vision. The final site plan includes the infrastructure and elements that Father Ubald believed were necessary for the Center to carry out its mission of reconciliation, healing, and peace. 

PHASE THREE AND FOUR

The remaining infrastructure and facilities (scroll through the slides below) will be built over the next decade, subject to financial donations from foundations, individuals, and other grant making organizations.

Retirement House for Priests & Healing Center for Priests, Brothers and Nuns
This project will focus on the retirement needs of the priests of the Cyangugu Diocese community. Retired priests in Rwanda have no place to go to be cared for and to participate in community life. They have given their lives to the church and Fr. Ubald felt very strongly that we should take care of them at the Center. His desire was for them to have a place to live with dignity and to be able to help with confessions and other sacramental needs of the pilgrims at the Center so they could continue their work and be part of the Center Community. This facility also will have dedicated housing to minister to those active priests and religious brothers and sisters who themselves are in need of healing.

Convent
A facility to house a group of religious sisters who will minister to the pilgrims, aid and assist the retired priests and perform duties carried out around the Center.

Overall Site Infrastructure Upgrade
This project will focus on the infrastructure needs of the Center. They will include safe access/circulation roads, parking for car and busses, walking pathways, hard landscaping, seating walls, benches, garbage bins, planter and flower boxes, security booths/control gates, entry/exit barriers, drainage ditches, fencing to site boundaries, covered walkways, a service plant, project entrance upgrade, project signage.

Visitor Food Service and Administrative Offices
This project will focus on offering limited food and beverage services and a gift shop to the many daily visitors to the site. It will also include the administrative office of the center.

Counseling and Retreat Center
This project will be the center for those seeking counseling services. It will provide overnight accommodations, meeting rooms for individual counseling and larger conferences and retreats. It will also provide onsite food and beverage services and lodging for those visiting from out of town.

Hermitages
There will be three to four private one-room hermitages for priests who come to privately pray for the healing and needs of all those who visit the Center seeking healing, reconciliation, and peace.

Retirement House for Priests & Healing Center for Priests, Brothers and Nuns
This project will focus on the retirement needs of the priests of the Cyangugu Diocese community. Retired priests in Rwanda have no place to go to be cared for and to participate in community life. They have given their lives to the church and Fr. Ubald felt very strongly that we should take care of them at the Center. His desire was for them to have a place to live with dignity and to be able to help with confessions and other sacramental needs of the pilgrims at the Center so they could continue their work and be part of the Center Community. This facility also will have dedicated housing to minister to those active priests and religious brothers and sisters who themselves are in need of healing.

Convent
A facility to house a group of religious sisters who will minister to the pilgrims, aid and assist the retired priests and perform duties carried out around the Center.

Overall Site Infrastructure Upgrade
This project will focus on the infrastructure needs of the Center. They will include safe access/circulation roads, parking for car and busses, walking pathways, hard landscaping, seating walls, benches, garbage bins, planter and flower boxes, security booths/control gates, entry/exit barriers, drainage ditches, fencing to site boundaries, covered walkways, a service plant, project entrance upgrade, project signage.

Visitor Food Service and Administrative Offices
This project will focus on offering limited food and beverage services and a gift shop to the many daily visitors to the site. It will also include the administrative office of the center.

Counseling and Retreat Center
This project will be the center for those seeking counseling services. It will provide overnight accommodations, meeting rooms for individual counseling and larger conferences and retreats. It will also provide onsite food and beverage services and lodging for those visiting from out of town.

Hermitages
There will be three to four private one-room hermitages for priests who come to privately pray for the healing and needs of all those who visit the Center seeking healing, reconciliation, and peace.

Keep the Mission Alive

As we continue to spread the message and ministry begun by Fr. Ubald, we invite you to join us and financially support this critical work. In our world filled with strife, conflict, and suffering the message of forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, and peace is as needed as it ever was.

DONATE NOW

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