PARAGUAY, Sandra Leticia Lezcano. I hear daily so many negative comments about a country that has no solutions, an uncertain future, and about the values that we are losing as Paraguayans. They are comments that hurt and discourage. But what I saw last night with my own eyes, and what my heart experienced was something that completely filled me with hope; it made me see that not all is lost, there are thousands of Paraguayans who trust God and the most Holy Virgin.
It was a night in which the youth demonstrated that their hearts truly burn with love for the mission. They demonstrated with deeds how much they love God and their country.
South America’s heart is celebrating!
The celebration we experienced last night allowed us to experience the heart of a South America burning with love, beating stronger than ever, filling all the seats available in the Defenders’ Stadium of Chaco, located in the Obrero neighborhood of the city of Asunción.
The celebration began with a procession led by the Hidalgos of Mary, giving our Little Virgin of Caacupé a victorious entry. White handkerchiefs, flags, balloons, and some fireworks provided a warm welcome to Paraguay’s great patroness with whom the people felt completely identified and touched when they saw that their Mother Mary was also present in this great celebration of gratitude for 200 years of Paraguay’s independence.
Next, a letter from all the bishops directed to the youth was read; this idea full of life, joy and national pride came from them.
The massive attendance demonstrated that a better country is possible by God’s hand
The Apostolic Nuncio presided at the Holy Mass and the bishops from the different dioceses concelebrated. Hundreds of invited priests were present several political and social leaders also attended this celebration that concluded the month of the Nation.
People from different areas of the country attended; one could see entire families, children, young people, and the elderly. So many people who remain firm in the hope that with God a better country is always possible, and by the hand of the Blessed Mother, we will always be walking on a safe road.
Double pride: to be Paraguayan and a Schoenstatter!
I must say that if the feeling of national pride made my heart beat strongly, there was another force that filled me with joy and it was another kind of pride that I felt, and that was the pride of seeing my Schoenstatt Family as a part of this and our heroic youth. The Youth launched this idea that at the beginning sounded a bit unrealistic: celebrating the Eucharist in a stadium so that the largest number of Catholics possible could participate in the Holy Mass in thanksgiving for the bicentennial.
I would like to express my gratitude and acknowledge everyone who helped to make this possible: the organizational team that did a lot to make this night possible, to the priests who we saw running all night through the stadium so that everything would turn out well, to the choir who moved us closer to the Shrine through the music, and Team 18, who allowed us to experience October 18th in the middle of May! Thanks to all of them!
Thank you all for giving us the experience that the heart of South America beats and does so with strength!
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