ARGENTINA, Juan Barbosa. On August 23rd during the Most Holy Queen Mary celebration, the Mother of God was crowned as Queen of a new Argentina at the Hope of Rose Hill Shrine in Cordoba in the presence of the family gathered for the celebration of the Eucharist. This crowning was the result of extended preparation carried out in a polished ceremony and with look to the future by counting on the effort of every Schoenstatter for an Argentina with life and hope for everyone.
The family prepared without haste, but without pausing
A long time ago, Father Marcelo Galardo received a crown from Sister Kornelia in Schoenstatt, Germany, which was donated by a pious lady whose daughter was terminally ill. In her own words, this gift was presented for ” a youth that wanted to crown Mary”. The Cordoban Schoenstatt Youth accepted this message and with the motto: GLORIFY YOURSELF. They began a campaign that became a part of every deed of the Family. This message was quickly accepted and its main password became: Everything for the Queen.
The workshops for the crowning were the common denominator of the actions of the different groups. Songs alluding to the crowning became a constant at the Masses, and the symbol of the crown was inserted in every article and every piece of correspondence released. Even new customs were begun, such as the famous outdoor Masses during the Month of Mary in 2009. During these Masses, between 200 and 500 people gathered daily around Mary for the Eucharistic celebrations that were carried out in the esplanade of the Shrine. “This has truly been unforgettable,” a member of the Family from Cordoba told us…
The long awaited day arrived
The grounds of the Father Kentenich Center, where the Shrine is located, became “a seething mass of people” as it is commonly said; they ran from one side to another carrying out their specific task. They set up 400 chairs, place the order for ceremony and the crowning prayer on the seats, arranged the place for the altar, installed the sound system, and the choir practiced, etc. were the tasks that developed fundamentally and noticeably. It was a sunny day with Spring-like temperature and no wind, which was absolutely strange because in Cordoba August is known as “the windy month…”
The many youth, who were dressed for a celebration, were conspicuous among the multitude. The young women wore elegant outfits and the young men wore suits, which made them truly noticeable. “It is for a Crowning, we cannot come to Mass like an ordinary Sunday. It is for the Queen, who will arrive today,” said one of the girls while she took care of the last minute details.
A shower of rose petals
The celebration began, and while the Argentinean Air Force Band played a splendid march, the procession of forty youth approached the altar carrying the picture of the MTA passing by a multitude of an estimated 900 people. As the procession advanced on a red carpet worthy of a queen, there were cries of “Long Live the Queen,” applause, and a shower of rose petals. The arrival at the altar was celebrated with strong applause and sustained fanfare, while the “Long Live the Mother” reached heaven causing the flight of the always presence doves in this place.
The Crowning was carried out before the Offertory, which was meticulously prepared by the entire Family, since this celebration was a commitment and included everyone. The long awaited moment of crowning was followed by a respectful silence and then by a sustained uproar while the applause and the shouts of “long live…” and tears continued among each other.
Then the large group of participants sang the National Hymn of Argentina and once again the “long live,” tears, and applause ended the unforgettable celebration on the day of Mary, the Most Holy Queen.
A task for the future for each and everyone
The Schoenstatt Fathers, Father P. Pastor, Father Paul and Father Marcelo, who officiated as the main celebrant, con-celebrated Holy Mass. In his homily, he invited everyone to join the ranks, which through their daily actions are willing to change their surroundings. “We should not only prepare the way, but rather we should also lead from our state of life”. “A new Argentina depends on each one of us, and it is in us that the Queen should manifest herself, but we are the ones, who should take the first, great step”, he commented, inviting us to reflect Mary in every deed of life. “We have worked hard to reach this day, we enjoyed the preparation and as of now we should carry out the change that our nation needs and that the Schoenstatters, with the charism of Founding Father and the always close company of Mary, can reflect on our surroundings which truly and urgently needs it.
After the con-celebration, the faithful bore constant smiles and the talks were never-ending. The Family from Cordoba undoubtedly experienced one of its happiest times.
After the Crowning Ceremony, which was long awaited and desired by everyone, another more extensive one began, which will take life itself. A song by Manuel López Naón, a seminarian, clearly described what they experienced: “Argentina needs us…its youth says ‘Here I Am!'”
