ARGENTINA, Víctor Oviedo. We want to share with you the experiences in the Family Missions which took place in Coronel Dorrego (Buenos Aires Province) between the 23rd and the 30th of January, 2011.
On this opportunity, the family missionaries were invited by the pastor of the place, Fr. Hugo Díaz. Five married couples from the Schoenstatt Family in La Plata participated, as well as three other adults and approximately 55 youths (three from the national capital, two from Lobería and one from Sauce de Luna). They were accompanied by two seminarians: Oscar and Matías, and two Schoenstatt Fathers: Fr. Javier Arteaga and Fr. Beltrán Gómez.
The missions, a gift for the Church
The Family Missions are an immense gift from the Mother and Queen for the Church and especially for the Movement. From the beginning, it was felt that this Mission had something different: it was the first to take place in places through which our Father and Founder had traveled on his visits to Argentina and he always left his footprint. This was expressed in the motto for this Mission: “Mother of the people, here is your new generation.”
The expression “Mother of the people” was pronounced by Father Kentenich on various occasions in his talks given in Paso Mayor (Buenos Aires Province) in 1952. “Here is your new generation” is the expression of a new group of missionaries who desire to follow Father in the task of taking Mary to the people.
Mary, Mother of the People
From their arrival, the missionaries felt very strongly the maternal and warm presence of our Mother which manifested itself through the community of the people, by their openness and surrender. They were housed in the San José School of the Franciscan Sisters. One of them, Sr. Martina (74) and the other, Sr. Eligia (90) [whose birthdays were celebrated during the mission] offered – a week before the beginning of the Mission – their school in order for them to be more comfortable since the school previously assigned did not have enough space for the missionary activities. All of this demonstrates the level of generosity, openness, and surrender found there. Our Father and Founder had been in this school in 1949. Sr. Eligia met him personally and described his as “a not too tall man who transmitted great serenity and reverence towards others.”
Fr. Hugo deserves a special thank you for his participation with the missionary community. He participated daily in all the activities and was an example of simplicity and humility.
As the days went by, the experience was that the people opened their doors and they began to come in: children, youths and adults began to participate in the different activities (workshops, Holy Mass, Rosary). There is no doubt that Blessed Mother was present.
She had already preceded them, entering their homes through the strong activity of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign for many years now. Thus one could experience how She truly is the Mother of the People here.
Pilgrimage to Paso Mayor
On Friday the 28th, a pilgrimage to Paso Mayor was organized. The brothers and sisters of Bahía Blanca were awaiting there. In the middle of nowhere – 70 kms. from Coronel Dorrego – a chapel erected there was blessed by our Father and Founder in 1952. At that time, he spoke these words to the Family:
…”If I think about these banners and if I observe all those who are here, then I believe that even after fifty years, our children and the children of our children will speak of this reception.”
Undoubtedly the missionaries felt these words very personally, and with the sun on the horizon, the Eucharist began. Presiding was the Auxiliary Bishop of Bahía and five priests. Three seminarians assisted. Approximately one hundred persons participated. The chapel and the people as well were afire. The young and the not so young of the Boys’ and Girls’ Youth from La Plata and Bahía Blanca concluded singing livelily: “Mother of the Covenant” and other hymns. At night time with a clear sky enhanced by large stars, they shared a meal in the middle of the field offered by the missionaries of the Bahía community in the so-called Salón del Tata (Grandfather’s hall).
This was a unique experience, not only for those who have belonged to the Movement for a long time, but especially for the youth who never tired in repeating how powerful this experience of Father’s presence had been.
On Saturday, the Mission ended with Holy Mass in the parish, and for this occasion, the Church was filled with many of the town’s people. Father Hugo’s talk which was afire in the Spirit, highlighted the farewell which ended with a circle of friends in the main plaza singing and dancing with all who came by.
Our Father and Founder continues to leave his footprint
It has been a beautiful experience. One could feel the Church on the new shore where Mary is present…..where our Father and Founder leaves anew his footprint…..where his children go out to meet the people coming to share and enrich their faith.
“Thank you to all who accompanied us with their prayers, making us feel their presence on the way to mission fruitfulness. Thank you to the parents of the children who trusted our families to bring them to Coronel Dorrego. Thank you, a thousand thanks to all,” concluded the missionaries.
And as a youth said upon sharing his mission experience: to understand what happens in the missions, one simply has to experience them.
Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA 02122011
