CYPRIAN AND DAPHROSA
RUGAMBA

On April 7, 1994, Cyprian and Daphrosa Rugamba, founders of the Emmanuel Community in Rwanda, were murdered in their home in Kigali, together with six of their ten children. They had spent the previous evening in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

The couple had firmly opposed the ethnic divisions that tore their country apart. Despite the danger, they chose to remain in Rwanda and stay faithful to their mission.

Through their lives, Cyprian and Daphrosa bore witness to God’s transforming love. Their cause of beatification was opened in September 2015.

Their story

Cyprian Rugamba was a renowned intellectual and artist in Rwanda. He was an author, poet, composer, and choreographer known for showcasing the richness and diversity of Rwandan culture. To this day his songs are still well known and deeply rooted in the heritage of Rwanda.

Before his successful career and rise to fame, however, Cyprian was sent to the seminary.

Without much spiritual motivation, during his time there he lost his faith. This was mainly as a result of discovering the writings of certain existential philosophers who wrote against the Church’s teachings as well as being shocked to discover various scandals of his fellow seminarianthe richness and diversity of Rwandan culture.

After leaving the seminary he began new studies in Belgium and from there went on to have a successful career working in administration for the Rwandan government. He helped establish a Rwandan cultural center that focused on not only preserving but also encouraging others to continue creating, traditional Rwandan arts.

This focus on saving traditional art, which was on the cusp of disappearing due to colonization, gave Cyprian a high level of recognition in society – he was seen as a champion of the arts.

Cyprien was engaged to be married to his great love, Xaverina Mukahigiro. But tragically in 1963, she was killed with several members of her family. In order to honor the engagement, he had made to her family, Cyprian asked Xaverina’s cousin, Daphrosa Mukansanga, for her hand in marriage.

In 1965, Cyprian married Daphrosa, a young woman deeply devoted to prayer. The first years of their marriage were marked by serious difficulties, and they even lived apart for several months. Cyprian was unfaithful and had relationships outside their marriage, including a child born out of wedlock.

His attitude towards Daphrosa’s Christian faith caused her great suffering. Nevertheless, she remained faithful to her marriage and continued to pray for her husband’s conversion. With Cyprian’s consent, she regularly took their children to Mass.

The Conversion of Cyprian

In 1982, Cyprian fell gravely ill. Doctors were unable to diagnose his illness and Cyprian feared for his life.

During his illness, Cyprian began to write a song about his death, and during this moment his heart was flooded with the Holy Spirit, and he believed in the existence of God and that God was waiting for him. At this moment, Cyprian knew that this experience happened thanks to Daphrosa’s faithful prayers.

This experience led him to a radical conversion in all aspects of his life and especially his marriage.

After this moment, Cyprian asked Daphrosa for forgiveness for all of the sufferings he had caused her. She accepted and their marriage was restored and renewed. Those around the couple were astounded by how they now radiated joy and tenderness. They did not keep this joy to themselves but instead they became more open to the service of others. They welcomed everyone from the rich to the humblest.

The once arrogant and closed off man, Cyprian, transformed into a humble, welcoming and faithful husband, who was open to everyone and welcomed everyone.

Cyprian and Daphrosa entrusted the Lord with everything and marveled at the goodness of the Lord. “The Lord is wonderful,” Cyprien would say. In any situation, Cyprian always tried to find the good side of things, staying open to the Lord’s works allowing him to move forward

A new mission

In 1989, Cyprian and Daphrosa discovered the Emmanuel Community by making friends with people who were volunteering at FIDESCO. On September 23, 1990, they founded the Emmanuel Community in Rwanda.

Now living their lives deeply rooted in the graces of the Emmanuel Community through Adoration, Compassion, and Evangelization, Cyprian and Daphrosa fully gave themselves to the mission of growing this community. It is due to their passion and dedication towards the community which enabled it to grow so rapidly in Rwanda, even in the midst of a tense political climate.

The Emmanuel Community brought together Rwandans from different ethnic backgrounds in a shared life centred on Christ. Cyprian firmly believed in the unity of the Rwandan people and rejected divisions based on ethnicity. He often expressed this conviction in simple terms:

“We have only one party: that of Jesus.”

We have only one party, that of Jesus.

They Loved Until
the End

Cyprian used his public influence to oppose the broadcasts that incited violence and to call for the removal of ethnic identification from identity cards. His commitment to unity and his opposition to ethnic discrimination placed him at risk.

On April 7, 1994, at the beginning of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Cyprian and Daphrosa were murdered in their home in Kigali, together with six of their children. They had spent the previous night praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

Their Legacy

Their lives on earth were unjustly ended by evil, but evil did not win the morning Cyprian, Daphrosa and their children died. The lives of the Rugumbas and the hope their story offers outshines the darkness that surrounded their death. Their lives serve as a testimony that God can convert hearts like Cyprian, He answers faithful prayers like those of Daphrosa, and the Mercy of Jesus can restore any marriage. Cyprien and Daphrosa are an example that holiness is possible, faithfulness is fruitful, and love is always victorious over evil.

Today the Community they founded is the second largest Emmanuel Community in the world. This was the vision Cyprian had, to establish a community where Rwandans can come together not divided by their ethnic groups but as one brotherhood, the party of Jesus.

Cyprian’s artistic work, including his songs, dances, poems and books, remains an important part of Rwanda’s cultural heritage. He is still remembered for his contribution to Rwandan arts and culture.

The work of welcoming and caring for street children, which Daphrose helped establish, continues today. The centre carries on this mission of offering children care, support and a future.

Cause for Beatification

Holy Father,

We pray for the beatification of the servants of God Cyprian and Daphrosa. Give us to always have, like them, an incessant zeal for adoration, a heart burning of love for you and an active compassion for all who suffer.

Help us to give ourselves freely for the evangelization of the families and the poor.

In communion with Cyprian and Daphrosa, we entrust to you especially couples who experience marital difficulties and people who are struggling to forgive their enemies, and we ask you to make us instruments of peace. Through the intercession of these Servants of God, we ask you, Lord, according to Your will, the grace of ………………………

(a prayer is expressed)

Lord, grant us peace and the grace that we ask in faith. Amen

The diocesan phase of the beatification cause for Cyprian and Daphrosa Rugamba and the children who died with them was officially closed in Kigali on 23 September 2021. The case file was then sent to Rome and received by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints on 3 February 2022. On 7 April 2022, the canonical validity of the documents gathered by the diocesan tribunal was formally recognised.

The cause is now being examined in Rome. The postulator is responsible for preparing the positio, a document presenting the evidence and arguments in support of recognising the family’s martyrdom. If their martyrdom is officially recognised by the Church, Cyprien and Daphrose, together with the children who died with them, could be beatified without the need for a miracle.

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CYPRIAN AND DAPHROSA RUGAMBA