ARGENTINA, Sister Clara María Bercetche. “The heavens declare the glory of God the sky proclaim its builder’s craft…” (Psalm 19: 2). The clear sky at the beginning of autumn announces day by day the proximity of the investiture of some new Sisters of Mary. On the eve of the great celebration, its voice was audible; there was lightening in the sky, thunder could be heard. Rain fell on the extensive New Schoenstatt Park that was already completely decorated for the following day. The rose bushes at the statue of the Immaculate appreciated this greeting, and they now offered roses that were not seen the day before, and the grass became greener, looking fresh and extensive. And finally the sun appeared to dissi-pate the fear of the novices, who with rosaries in their hands, looked at the clouds.
Investiture of the Sisters of Mary from the Nazareth Province (Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay), on Saturday, April 4, 2011
Earlier the presence of a crowd of young people could be seen at New Schoenstatt. The buses that were parked nearby revealed that many had traveled all night to participate in the celebration. They arrived from Argentinean provinces in Buenos Aires and from Paraguay for the great moment. The Shrine, the Church of God the Father, and the vestibule of the Provincial House were outstanding. There was a soft aroma of tuberoses and lilies.
In front of the Shrine, there was a tent to exhibit and to provide information about the Sisters of Mary. At the big wall close to the auditorium of the Church, there was a phrase in blue, silver, and white, framed by irises: “The time of your love has come.”
Many participants came from the novices’ hometowns
At 2:00 p.m., the time of the investiture, girls from the Girls’ Youth began to form a human chain, which would unite the Provincial House with the tree-lined road that leads to the Shrine and the Church of God the Father. They carried sprigs and flowers in their hands and many chose to dress in white or pastel colors. Close to 3:00 p.m., the familiar faces of many people, who arrived from different places from far and near appeared; there were people of all ages, who belong to the Movement and people who work with the Sisters in different pastoral areas. The delegations from the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, and the center of Buenos Aires and San Isidro were numerous; these are the novices’ hometowns. There were doctors and personnel from the Mater Dei Hospital and a large contingent from Buenos Aires’ Mater Ter Admirabilis School: teachers, students, alumni, parents, and directors. One of the novices graduated from this school some years ago, and she worked there as an English teacher until she entered the community.
“My life is in your hands”
At 3:00 p.m. sharp, the novices came out of the training house in their nuptial dresses. They greeted the Father and Founder in the oratory (the place were he received priests on his stay at New Schoenstatt when he, who was already in exile, blessed the Shrine,) and they dedicated a song to him: “Sei gegrüsst María” (Hail Mary). From there they passed by the statue of the Immaculate in the Garden of Mary, and then they continued to the Provincial House from there the procession de-parted with the processional cross, flags, and the Sisters’ community. They continued through the park toward the tree-lined road and from there they entered the Church of God the Father. The Heavenly Father awaited them there represented on the tableau of the Church. The organ resounded playing “Trumpet Voluntary” by Clarke.
When the novices crossed the threshold of the Church, the choir began a traditional entrance song: “My Life is in Your Hands.”
“Fascinated by Mary”
The main celebrant was Father Alberto Eronti, Schoenstatt Father; Father accompanied him along with Father Jorge González, Pablo Pol, Father Federico Piedrabuena, Father José María Aguirre, Father Rodrigo Godoy, Father Jorge Gallino, and a permanent deacon.
In the homily, Father Albert began with an eloquent affirmation: “The decision for a vocation such as this, has a fascination as its source.” He described how Mary had fascinated the novices, and how She had led them to Jesus. Just as He called the men and women from the first hour of the Church, as related in the Gospel, he continues calling. Mary wants to make you thrice admirable like Her: admirable for being daughters of God, for being spouses of Christ, and instruments of the Spirit. For this reason, in the future the words addressed to the Blessed Mother by the woman from the town, who admired Christ and who exclaimed: “Blessed the womb that carried Him and the breasts that nourished him!” will also be valid for their parents.
Five new Sisters of Mary
After the homily, the new names were announced by Sister M. Elisa, Provincial Superior:
Agustina Feletti, from Corrientes: Sister María Ignacia
Ariadna Quiroga, from Mendoza: Sister María Salomé
Catalina Bellomo, from San Isidro: Sister M. Teresita
María Lucía Savini, from Buenos Aires: Sister María Felicitas
Sofía D´Anna, from San Juan: Sister M. Emilia
Then the dresses were blessed, each novice approached to receive it, and then departed to dress as “the new man” of the little Mary.
Father Jorge González, National Advisor of the Girls’ Group, briefly explained the meaning of the dress. Next biographical sketches of the novices were read that had been sent by their Branch Sis-ters, alternated with songs sung by the Girls’ Youth. The minutes passed and then suddenly the novices returned with their resplendent blue dresses and their eyes shining. Meanwhile, the Sisters’ Choir sang Psalm 56: “To you Lord, to you my God, I want to sing, awake my harp, my guitar, awaken the dawn!
Covenant of Love
During the offertory, the parents of Sister Marí Salomé, who represented the relatives of the nov-ices, prayed a heartfelt prayer in which they expressed the offering of their daughters to the service of the Church and of the Schoenstatt Family. The Girls’ Youth also manifested their joy for the generous giving of self of their Covenant sisters with a prayer, and with the presentation of five lilies, one for each novice.
With the final blessing, it was the moment to renew their Covenant of Love in the Shrine, now wearing the dress of Mary. They went with their lilies to the Shrine of the Father. This solemn celebration concluded with a brief prayer, the song of the Magnificat, and the final blessing. Hun-dreds of people gathered in the esplanade and the broad space in front of the Shrine to express their affection and their solidarity to each one.
Contributions through Facebook
After effusive greetings, tears, smiles, and mixed feelings, the crowd went to the Father Kentenich Auditorium in the basement of the atrium, where the Girls’ Youth led a program. They presented a Powerpoint projection telling each novice’s story with many photos and memories, and they re-vealed their gift for the novices: a prayer book filled with little pearls representing the contributions to the capital of grace offered for them. Through Facebook they had gathered 2,500 contributions from the Branch from throughout the country. They also invited the novices to come to the stage; they sang a song to each one accompanied by guitar. A delegation from Paraguay – thirty-five girls, two ladies, and two Sisters – manifested their joy with a folkloric dance, and then the Sisters sang another song.
In conclusion, Sister M. Elisa expressed gratitude for the companionship of friends and family throughout this time, their presence at this celebration, and she invited everyone to continue to hold up the novices with prayer. Since a vocation is not improvised; it is the fruit of a nurturing that forms it and sustains it in order to present it God and to his Kingdom, thereby being loyal to the call.
Many of the participants stressed moments of depth they experienced in the profoundly joyful fam-ily atmosphere. Five youth in the fullness of their lives decided to give their lives to God sends a strong message; that in a time of so much confusion, touches hearts.
The sky was cloaked by the night, and the following dawn, a peaceful rain fell, that in some way, condensed the grace that was elevated on that eve…the heavens proclaimed the glory of God.
A video with photos of the investiture at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhInVFxi0sc
