Félicité Niyitegeka
1934-1994 20th century
Refusing to be saved alone, and staying tender even in the farewell.
Who was Félicité Niyitegeka?
A member of the Auxiliaries of the Apostolate, she ran a welcome centre in Gisenyi, Rwanda. During the genocide she hid dozens of hunted people there. Her brother, an army officer, sent an escort to save her alone; she refused and wrote him a note. She was killed with those she was sheltering a few days later.
In their own words
I would rather die than abandon the forty-three people in my care.
Pray for us, that we may come to God.
Say goodbye for me to our old mother and to our brother. When I come to God, I shall pray for you.