PARAGUAY, Ricardo Acosta. A cool Sunday dawned, and the sun peeked among the shade of the green trees in Tupãrenda; it was an extraordinary day as an intense preparation began for the large youth celebration that day.
The youth from the different dioceses began to arrive at 10:00 a.m. The Blessed Mother welcomed each one as Her favorite child.
The organizational team intensified their rehearsal, and they decorated the place; simultaneously, the Mass was celebrated, first at 9:00 a.m. and then at 11:00 a.m. At this time, Tupãrenda was transformed into a family reunion: children, youth and adults, who participated in the different activities.
The afternoon was exclusively for the youth, with the Youth Mass- the most awaited time of the day. The leadership team began to sing several songs, and the presence of the youth grew. At the same time, the drama team continued to practice for the Stations of the Cross. After the musical and dance presentations by other groups that dazzled the participants came the presentation of the Stations of the Cross with period costumes that recalled the Via Dolorosa of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.
Growing in Tupãrenda…
Later, there were separate presentations by the Girls’ Youth and the Boys’ Youth to form new groups; they were well received, according to the comments.
Shortly after 5:00 p.m., the Mass began with a large number of participants. Father Pedro, celebrated the Eucharist and alluded to the Palm Sunday readings by stating:
“The same people who welcomed Jesus at the entrance of Jerusalem, with ‘Hosanna, hosanna in the name of the Lord,’ were same ones, a few days later who shouted: ‘Crucify Him, crucify Him!’
Notice how quickly we change our minds, when we are not supported in something or by someone, we easily slip. It is very normal, don’t you think”? Don’t we also frequently shout during the Eucharist: Hosanna, hosanna in the name of the Lord? But the following day, we do not remember that we were praising God. Or doesn’t it happen sometimes that we come to speak with Jesus, we present a certain situation before Him, He does not answer our plea and then without drama we say: now I do not know You, I will do what I want, and we crucify him once again? Every action that separates us from Christ is a wound to the great love that He has for us, but even then He continues to love us, and he is happy when we come to praise Him and we tell Him that we also want to return this love.”
“Happy birthday to you”
Before and after the Mass, Father Antonio heard the confessions of many youth who approached the sacrament and shortly before the celebration ended and the pilgrimage to the Shrine, they called him to sing “Happy Birthday”. All the participants fervently sang in unison “terevy’aiteke in Guaraní and happy birthday to you in English”; in this way they anticipated the birthday of beloved Fr. Antonio (March 26).
Conquering youthful hearts…in Tupãrenda
This is how an extraordinary retreat ended inside the Shrine, “almost all of us fit, it seems that the Shrine is made of rubber,” some commented laughing, alluding to the Shrine that seemed to expand to welcome all the people inside. They consecrated themselves, there, at the foot of the altar to the owner of the house. All the previous effort, organization, the caravan, the energy that was expended was elevated at the source of grace of our beloved MTA, who continues conquering hundreds of youthful hearts, convoked once again for a large celebration on May 6th.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA/Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
