Finally the solemn institution of Nyakijoga Shrine was made on February II, 1958, a memorable day in deed in the history of the shrine itself, the Diocese of Bukoba  and the surrounding region at large.  It was the day of the centenary celebration of Our Lady’s apparitions at Lourdes so, logically, many people from all over the world were to make pilgrimages to Lourdes.

As the great day approached, there arose great anxiety among the people of God in Rutabo Diocese, particularly Mugana Parish, and yet they could not afford to make it to Lourdes to share in the benefits to be enjoyed by those who could do so.  Conscious of this financial disadvantage among his people, the Bishop of Rutabo appealed to Rome for a favour allowing those honouring Our Lady at Nyakijoga Shrine to equally enjoy the Lourdes benefits like those who would go there. The request was granted for the entire year 1958.

It says those who wished to register themselves had still one week only to do so. On February 10, the vigil activities heralded the big day.  After the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the parish church there followed a mammoth procession of the faithful, bearing lighted candles, singing and praying to the shrine with the statue of Our Lady  borne shoulder-high.

On arrival at the grotto, the statue was placed in its proper place in there and the Bishop, Laurean Rugambwa, to be created cardinal in less than two years later, blessed the altar on which the holy Mass would be celebrated next day.  Then followed a  whole-night vigil of prayer and singing

VATICAN RESPONDS

The first thing in the morning the next day before the pontifical high Mass was the blessing of the small chapel.  Then the holy Mass followed at which the official Vitican response to the Bishop’s appeal in connection with the Lourdes benefits at Nyakijoga was made an announcement.  After the gospel reading, the Bishop solemnly announced that the Holy Father had graciously granted, under the usual conditions, the indulgences of Lourdes to all those who would make a pilgrimage and honour Our Lady at her Nyakijoga Shrine.

Then a spontaneous outburst of applause, excitement and joy filled the chapel, the valley and the surrounding wood.  The seed planted in 1955 had indeed now flowered; it would certainly bring, if the faithful persevered in praying the rosary as Fr. Kazigo had requested them, varying sweet fruits.

DIRECTORY OF ORDER OF PILGRIMAGES

From that day on many pilgrims travelled to Nyakijoga from all over the then two dioceses of Rutabo and Bukoba, the rest of Tanganyika (later Tanzania) and the other two countries of East Africa, Kenya and Uganda.

With the achievement of the Church’s official recognition of Nyakijoga Shrine it was now necessary to have kind of a guide to facilitate the liturgy of the pilgrimages.  A directory of prayers and ceremonials,  NDI  MULAMAGI  (I AM A PILGRIM), was published.

Any pilgrimage ceremony started with a few introductory prayers recited in the parish church.  This was followed by a procession to the shrine during which the rosary intermingled with hymns in praise of Our Lady was recited. On arrival at the Shrine the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary was either sung or recited.  Then came the bidding prayers and the offering of gifts.  The latter was accompanied by hymns.

The parish priest himself or the priest leading the group of  pilgrims gave the sermon which was either before or after the bidding prayers.  After these, the pilgrimage was over and individual devotions took place. It was also the time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for those who needed it while others drew water from the Nyakijoga  River to take home.