PERU, Queca Espinoza. Every year the activities for waiting and welcoming Little Jesus in the Shrine of Molina Lima-Peru begin with an Advent vigil on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent. The Girls’ Youth prepare a teaching about Advent that they share with everyone. The Ladies or Mothers’ Branch prepare delicious refreshments.
During the Eucharist on the first Sunday of Advent, the Advent wreathes are blessed and a family is chosen to light the first candle of the wreath in the Shrine.
During the weeks that follow, different priests give talks related to Advent, Christmas, and about the important people of these dates. Choral groups go to the Shrine to sing for the Blessed Mother and her Little Child that delights those who participate. Every year, a new activity emerges; for example, the mangers’ exhibit of every kind of material and from places allover the world.
Seeking Shelter
On December 23rd, a Couples Group prepares the Seeking Shelter, where children sing Christmas carols at different houses around the Shrine ending in the Shrine with the Eucharist. (This activity emulates Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter upon arriving at Bethlehem.)
Christmas Eve
On the morning of the 24th, the Holy Mass “toward 2014” in covenant with Peru will be held in the Original Shrine in Schoenstatt.
On the night of the 24th, the National Advisor, José Luis Correa always celebrates the Mass, and at the moment when the solemn hymn of the Gloria is sung, there is a time for the adoration of the Child Jesus, when all those who attend the Christmas Eucharist approach to kiss him. There is also a live manger with children singing Christmas carols. This event concludes with a blessing and a greeting from Father José Luis. At this time, one has the opportunity to see those who always attend, those who come for important celebrations, and everyone is enveloped with a special joy with each one returning home in time to make the Little Child Jesus present in their home.
It is a special night the atmosphere experienced is different from all other celebrations. An environment reigns, where there is an eagerness to approach and kiss the Child, to sing songs in which everyone expresses what he/she hopes. That as small as they are, He always returns to be born to sow the desire to be better in our souls, to forget offenses, of embracing those with whom perhaps we have had differences, to embrace our relatives, forgiving faults and looking at the future with the hope of starting over.
Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English translation – Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit
