JSerra Catholic High School to Host Adelante Fest 2025 Featuring Rwandan Genocide Survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza

JSerra Catholic High School will host Adelante Fest 2025, featuring internationally acclaimed author and motivational speaker Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. The event scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025, will begin with Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m. followed by the festival from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. on the JSerra campus. Patrick Reidy, Vice President of Mission & Faith at JSerra Catholic High School, emphasized the significance of the event, stating that Immaculée Ilibagiza's presence provides a living example of forgiveness and Christian hope.

The importance of this event lies in the rare opportunity for community members to hear firsthand from someone who endured one of the most devastating humanitarian crises of the 20th century. Immaculée survived the 1994 Rwandan genocide by hiding in a 3x4-foot bathroom for 91 days with seven other women. Her transformation of unimaginable suffering into a message of hope and reconciliation makes her appearance particularly meaningful for students and families seeking inspiration in overcoming personal challenges.

Adelante Fest 2025 represents more than typical school programming, serving as what organizers describe as an encounter with faith and community building. The event's timing during ongoing global conflicts and social divisions gives Ilibagiza's message of forgiveness contemporary relevance. Her story demonstrates the possibility of healing and reconciliation even after experiencing extreme trauma, offering valuable lessons for addressing current societal tensions.

The festival includes interactive activities such as photo booths, bounce houses, field games, and face painting, creating an engaging environment for families while delivering profound content. Tickets for the festival are available at https://jserra.simpletix.com, with general admission priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children. The accessibility of ticket pricing ensures broad community participation in an event that combines entertainment with meaningful spiritual and personal development content.

For those seeking additional information about the hosting institution, details can be found at https://jserra.org. The school's commitment to forming faith, intellect, and character within a Christ-centered environment aligns with the festival's objectives of providing transformational experiences. The inclusion of a Vigil Mass as part of the event schedule reinforces the spiritual dimension of the gathering, creating a comprehensive experience that addresses both faith formation and community engagement.

The significance of hosting such an event extends beyond the immediate JSerra community, offering the wider public access to a speaker whose message has global implications. In an era marked by polarization and conflict, Ilibagiza's testimony provides a counter-narrative of reconciliation that has practical applications for interpersonal relationships and community building. The festival's timing in 2025, more than three decades after the Rwandan genocide, allows for reflection on long-term healing processes and the enduring power of forgiveness.