PUERTO RICO, Edgardo L. Rivera. “New roads should be sought. Awaken the imagination and creativity.” These words are part of the document generated by the Latin America Episcopal Conference celebrated in Santo Domingo in reference to the New Evangelization proposed by the Church. It also served as the motto for the last meeting on January 30, 2010 of the Motorcycle Missionaries from Puerto Rico.
Taking the article History of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign by Father Guillermo Carmona from Argentina (March 1997) as a starting point, a draft of the strategic plan 2010-2014 was developed, which will be presented to the members of the group. In the article mentioned above, Father Carmona presented the relationship between the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign, the Church, and the New Evangelization in an exquisite manner. Father Kentenich’s words about the Rosary Campaign come to life again: “Our young priests are seeking a new pastoral: here you have it. What Mr. Pozzobon does is the pastoral we need. He offers the Blessed Mother the opportunity, so that She can manifest herself. In the work that John Pozzobn does, the words of Vincent Pallotti have become a reality: She is the Great Missionary, She will work miracles.”
Since very early on, the members of the Motorcycle Missionaries went to the Home shrine Door of Heaven – for this meeting. After a brief prayer to invoke the help of the Mother, Queen, and Victress Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt, and the Holy Spirit, the owner of the house offered a short talk about the article mentioned above. They also discussed the three key points for the preparation of the strategic plan: John Pozzobon, the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign, and the Church.
During the Episcopal conference, it was established that the New Evangelization should be carried out with new zeal, new methods, and new expressions. The Motorcycle Missionaries from Puerto Rico want to be a part of this New Evangelization, since they have a new method of taking the Blessed Mother Mary’s message to people.
They have joined the Rosary Campaign with a new way of taking the Blessed Mother on their motorcycles. However it is not only about taking her on their trips, rather it is to attract other motorcyclists into discovering how Mary is the best way to reach Jesus, and through Him to reach the Father.
The Plan
It is beautiful traveling by motorcycle and carrying the Blessed Mother so that everyone on the highway can see her, but it is not enough. We must follow the example of John Pozzobon, who visited families, hospitals, schools, and jails with the Blessed Mother thereby helping those in need in every aspect. This is the reason the group decided to develop a plan of action that will serve as a guide to carry out the mission that the Blessed Mother has entrusted to them.
During the meeting, they preliminarily established the vision; the mission, the goals, and objectives just like in the big businesses of the world. Then they made an outline of the plan:
- Vision “To be great promoters of devotion to the Blessed Mother”
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Mission “To establish bonds between our Christian brothers and the Blessed Mother”
- Goals
o To attract other motorcyclists so that they can become missionaries
o To contribute to the New Evangelization of the Church
o To contribute with Puerto Rico in fostering family unity
o To go on pilgrimage to Schoenstatt in 2014
- Objectives
o To strengthen bonds as a group through regular family meetings
o To begin planning visits to jails
o To speak with the diocesan bishops of each member, placing themselves at their disposal and to be known and accepted by the Church
Preparations for the year 2014
On September 2, 2007, Puerto Rican Motorcycle Missionaries members met with Father Stefan Scaf, a Schoenstatt Father from Germany and the organizer of the motorcycle pilgrimages to the Original Shrine. He was visiting the island on Church business and he took the opportunity to meet them. It was a wonderful time for all of the group, and it was a great blessing. As a result of this meeting, two very important points emerged for the Movement and for the group. First, an international group of motorcyclists was created, the Schoenstatt Community of Motorcycle Missionaries. Second, there was a commitment to make a joint pilgrimage to the Original Shrine.
Providentially during the meeting this year to prepare the strategic plan of the Motorcycle Missionaries of Puerto Rico, the idea emerged that the trip to Germany should be carried out in 2014 to participate in the centennial celebration of the founding of the Schoenstatt Work.
As if this was not enough, during the past month, the Father Symbol visited Puerto Rico on the way to the Original Shrine. It was taken to a San Juan government center a few days before departing for Schoenstatt, and there I had the opportunity to see it. Along with Sister M. Isabel, I asked Father to grant us the favor of traveling to Schoenstatt in 2014.
“Mother, we will see you in Schoenstatt in 2014 along with Father.”
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA / Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
