LILBURN—St. John Neumann Church is hosting a Lenten retreat March 13-14 with two Catholics who live Jesus’ call for forgiveness.

Immaculée Ilibagiza will present her story about hope and forgiveness in surviving the Rwandan genocide. She will be accompanied by Rwandan priest, Father Ubald Rugirangoga. Father Ubald, a priest of the Diocese of Cyangugu in Southern Rwanda, will recount his story and share his gift of healing and the power of forgiveness.

Both survived the genocide in 1994, which claimed the lives of nearly a million Tutsis. The priest lost more than 80 members of his family and thousands from his own parish who sought to escape the mobs of Hutus. Ilibagiza lost most of her family, as she hid in a small bathroom for three months with seven other women.

In stressing the meaning of forgiveness, Father Ubald said, “Somebody who forgives becomes free. Forgiveness stops every violence. Forgiveness is power.”

The event begins Friday, March 13, at St. John Neumann, 801 Tom Smith Road, SW, Lilburn. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the program begins at 5 p.m. The evening ends with a healing Mass celebrated by Father Ubald.

Saturday morning at 8:15 a.m. will be a rosary, followed by Mass. The program continues until 3:30 p.m.

The cost of the retreat is $57 per person. Organizers are inviting retreat attendees to bring a guest for free. Those who have already registered can simply bring a guest at no additional cost.