PARAGUAY, by Karen Méndez García and Bernardino Portillo Marín •
On Sunday, 17 April, wonderful weather accompanied the first “walk” through Tupãrenda to learn about all the corners and much of the rich history of the Shrine. There are 147 Shrine guardians, who collaborate in the Shrine Ministry so that every pilgrim may find his/her way to this source grace, and so that the Blessed Mother may welcome more and more pilgrims.
Eighteen guardians and two pilgrims joined the walk, everyone asked questions, they wanted to know when and how each part became of what they now enjoy in this beautiful place.
They remained in Father’s little forest, close to the shrine, for the longest time. Everything that was said about the Father and Founder was very enriching. His work is wonderful; every one of them draws from it.
The history of every corner
Aníbal Argüello, the guardians’ adviser, narrated Tupãrenda’s history. Oscar Sandoval, a guardian, who is beginning his apostolate, and who contributed his knowledge about Schoenstatt with precise dates, accompanied him.
The tour ended at about 2:00 p.m. with some delicious snacks made in Tupãrenda, to make us feel at home.
The guardians’ walk
Karen and Bernardino Portillo had prepared a brief PowerPoint presentation about the guardians’ “walk”, consisting of supporting pictures of almost all the places mentioned in the booklet the guardians use; it included current pictures and some spaces created after the last edition. Many things had to be updated, and this work only increases the joy of how Tupãrenda is today.
“Tupãrenda – with it more than 50,000 pilgrims every 18th October – still remains somewhat hidden, although it is in the midst of a small country, and it borders the most important route in the country. Its 13 hectares of forest keep it hidden…even drones cannot show the number of people in the shadow of the trees,” commented Fr. Antonio Cosp, rector of the Shrine.
At Tupãrenda you learn how to love the Shrine!
GUARDIANS’ WALK THROUGH THE SHRINE OF TUPARENDA 2016 (40 MB)
