ARGENTINA, Silvia Losada. It was a joyful afternoon at the Shrine of the Blessed Mother in Tucumán. On June 27th, the Rosary Campaign was commemorating John Pozzobon’s passing to Schoenstatt’s heaven.
When this date was set for the consecration of the missionaries, who were preparing with a total giving of self for the mission, no one knew that on this day Argentina would play in the finals of the soccer World Cup.
But even if we had known it, the ceremony to mark the 25th Anniversary of the death of the one who initiated the Rosary Campaign could not be postponed.
Even with all the inconveniences such as going to the Shrine very early so that the rest of the family could enjoy the game, having very few means of transportation (although it may sound incredible, the city was almost paralyzed), the missionaries and pilgrims began to arrive.
They came with Argentinean flags with Pilgrim MTAs covered with the national logo. The sky was also blue and white.
But in the Garden of Mary Shrine another world cup was being placed: twenty-eight new missionaries joined in the mission of taking the Virgin and Her Son to the world.
It is an important challenge at a time when the family is in danger; because of the possibility of a law allowing same sex marriages will pass.
Argentina won the game on this day. There was uproar with shouts of Argentina, Argentina! And John conquered new hands and feet to accompany the Blessed Mother. Let’s go John! Will you accompany us?
We want to be the light that sets the world afire
The Shrine seemed to get bigger in order to shelter all the pilgrims. In this little piece of Heaven, human warmth could be felt. There were expectant and emotional faces…
Father Ortega, the priest who celebrated the Mass in the Shrine called the new missionaries one by one to present them with the Pilgrim MTA. He spoke to them about the mission and commitment.
Then they went to the John Pozzobon Memorial, on the same grounds as the Shrine, where they prayed a living rosary, committing to be the light for the world. One by one the Our Fathers and Hail Marys were prayed and the fire was ablaze!
They went on pilgrimage to the multi-purpose hall where the Eucharist was celebrated. Juan Pablo, a new missionary, was chosen to take the Auxiliary MTA to that place.
He joyfully confessed that he wanted to carry the Pilgrim MTA on his shoulder, like John.
Emotions continued to run high in welcoming Father Guillermo Mario Cassone, who recently arrived from Rome and who had wanted to share his birthday with the Tucumán Schoenstatt Family.
Father Guillermo Mario, a missionary of heart and much beloved by everyone in Tucumán, spoke about John Pozzobon in his homily. He spoke about his life and his struggle for the Rosary Campaign, and he invited all of the missionaries to imitate him.
After Holy Mass, a large cake appeared unexpectedly, while everyone sang Happy Birthday. Father Guillermo blew and blew at the candle, but he could not put it out. He imagined that it represented the Campaign’s fire that does not go out but still grows. As Father Esteban Uriburu said: “You must be afire.”
The Rosary Campaign wants to be a large blaze that affects the fire that sets hearts ablaze and that opens doors of homes, hospitals, schools, and the whole world.
John left a mission and the missionaries accepted the legacy.
Missionary disciples travel on the roads. Loyal to the ideal of the Rosary Campaign of Tucumán: “United in joy and service, instruments of Mary to transform the world.”.
