How Flaming Chalice International got its name

After word went out, a Minister from the Philippines started a petition to the government of Burundi demanding that I be immediately released without harm. In less than 72 hours, more than 1200 people signed the petition. Every morning, a member of my congregation brought a list of people who signed the petition, to keep hope alive for me. By 6 PM, when everyone had left and I was alone in a dark cell with no book to read or telephone to communicate, I thought about the people fighting on my behalf. I knew some of them—many I will never know. I was looking for a connection between us. The symbol that kept appearing to me was a Flaming Chalice: a sign of love, compassion, and sacrifice.

 ~ Rev Fulgence Ndagijimana, founder of Flaming Chalice International.

When Rev Fulgence was released and made it to safety, the Flaming Chalice took on a new meaning. Now, it no longer meant that he wasn't forgotten… It meant that it was his turn not to forget. There were others who had worked alongside him, putting everything on the line for the values we believe in--and they hadn't made it to safety yet. He created a charity to use to help them, and he named it Flaming Chalice International.

There is a strong power in our shared humanity, and we are all connected. Flaming Chalice International carries this belief. Our work is that belief in action.” 

~ Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana, Nanaimo, British Columbia, February 28, 2021

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Interested in learning more about FCI’s role in Mirth and Dignity? Check out “How Mirth and Dignity got its name”, or start the story right at the beginning with “Wait, What’s the Connection between Mirth and Dignity and Flaming Chalice International?” or go straight to those rivetting governance tips with “Learning from FCI” and “Not my potatoes”.

Interested in learning more about FCI’s work? Check out “The Not-a-Church we helped build”, or “How Flaming Chalice International got its Name” Or check out FCI’s website. We particularly recommend this story about Fulgence’s mother. It’s really beautiful.