father Paolo De Leo, dc
I had the grace of being able to return to Burundi for the third time, last summer. A meeting for those in the Congregation who have taken on the role of formators for those on four continents who ask to follow in the footsteps of Father Cesare, to think together about the project and build the path towards the future of the Doctrinaries.
An opportunity to visit the communities of the Burundian delegation and to go to the place where the new Doctrinaries reality is being born, in Kirundo, in the diocese of Muyinga. A very beautiful place, along a main road that crosses the entire diocese and leads from Burundi to Tanzania, at around 1800 meters above sea level, with lush vegetation almost all year round.
The mountain peaks appear as simple hills, the valley floor is meticulously cultivated by hand: beans, rice, wheat, corn and every good thing from God. This does not mean that the wealth here too often ends up in the hands of a few, but widespread poverty it does not seem to degenerate into absolute poverty.
Father Chadrack has been following the work for months for the construction of a beautiful center in which the community can start training catechists as soon as possible and in all likelihood also open a new parish, in response to the needs of the diocese. The works are progressing quite quickly despite the many, albeit foreseen, difficulties.
It is not easy to find quality materials at an affordable price, the water is drawn from wells, the work is done exclusively by hand, transport is never punctual. And raising funds continues to be a problem, making it difficult to plan the works and completion times.
At the end of August it was only possible to carry forward the construction of the building which will house, in addition to three confreres, a chapel and some rooms to begin the training of catechists. Following this, we will begin the construction of the multipurpose hall and the rooms to accommodate catechists from the entire diocese and from other areas of Burundi; this will allow the organization of systematic meetings extended to a wide audience. Enthusiasm is not lacking and the entire delegation of the Burundian Doctrinaries Fathers feels involved and committed to this new adventure.

You can contribute to the realization of the work, even by paying a minimum sum, with the reason “Progetto Padre Santoro”, into the current account:
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