PARAGUAY, mlf. The 200th year celebration of Paraguay’s independence was magnificent; there was a Mass bringing thousands and thousands of people, people who love Christ and the Most Holy Virgin with their whole heart. Approximately 20,000 people, if not more, came in chartered buses from all the parishes for an encounter with Jesus and the Virgin. When the Virgin of Caácupe arrived, they welcomed Her jubilantly with handkerchiefs waving on high.
The Schoenstatt Movement was one of the main organizers along with the Youth Pastoral and with the participation of the different dioceses. They made this closing of the month of May a truly Catholic celebration! The Boys’ and Girls’ Youth were Eucharistic Ministers. The members of the families were volunteers; they wore their characteristic vests etc.
Father Tommy Nin Mitchell along with a large team of Boys’ Youth and with the collaboration of the Girls’ Youth and their coordinator, Augusto Sáchez of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Federation of Families, ensured that the Mass was carried out in a manner that the participants qualified as: magnificent, impressive, impeccable, a truly Catholic celebration in which the faith and gratitude for our Nation’s Fathers, who bless and protect this Guarani land, was commemorated.
Presence of political and social authorities
Bishop Eliseo Ariotti, Apostolic Nuncio, presided at the Mass. The gates of the stadium opened at 5:00 p.m., so that the beautiful musical presentations of Silvia Mariela, Rolando Chaparro, the Hu=haa Group, and Christian Arzamendia could be enjoyed.l grupo Hu-haa y Christian Arzamendia.
Authorities from the different political parties attended such as: Senator Miguel Carriozosa, Deputy Carlos Soler, the Vice-president of the Republic, Federico Franco, Minister Borda, the Ambassador of ONU, founder of the Day of Friendship, among others.
The joy, the songs, and the moments of the Mass were profoundly experienced. The distinguished Holy Mary Choir was excellent. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a time to express gratitude and to be strengthened by Christ, King of Kings, was the highlight.
So that everything would be impeccable
Schoenstatt was represented by Bishop Claudio Jiménez, Diocese of Caácupe, who con-celebrated and by Father Pedro Kühlcke, Father Martin Gómez, Deacons Alfredo Pereira, and Pedro Mirabelles. Father Tommy was constantly coordinating so that everything would be impeccable, and it was.
To all the collaborators of the Bicentennial Mass, thank you very much! Congratulations to Father Tommy and all his team, the Youth Pastoral from Asunción, and others from the diocese, and to all who believed in this grandiose celebration for this Nation with God and with Mary!
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