PERU, Queca Espinoza. Last Sunday, December 15th, a celebration was held commemorating the ten years since the blessing of the Shrine at Lima-Peru.
From very early in the morning, people in charge of the different commissions came to make sure, that by midday, everything would be ready. While everyone was waiting, it was touching to hear the Jubilee 2014 hymn that they were practicing for the end of the Holy Eucharist.
Many people came and since this was open air, one could hear the usual murmur of many voices especially in this occasion when more than 700 people present were full of joy and excitement. Sister Consuelo calmed everyone down when she went up the mike and reminded them of what they were waiting for. She started praying Hail Mary´s and offering each one for different reasons. This contributed to a more serene atmosphere of warmth and quieted their hearts.
Holy Eucharist with the Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani
Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop of Lima and Primate of Peru, celebrated the Holy Eucharist since the festive occasion had to have the maximum ecclesiastical authority. Important local dignitaries were also present plus various diocesan priests, friends of the Movement, who always facilitate the receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist every Sunday.
With the toll of the bells announcing the beginning of the celebration, the Cardinal entered the Shrine, and an especially trained choir for this event commenced singing the traditional song of the third Sunday of Advent, “Ven, Ven Señor no tardes.” (Come, Come Lord, don’t be late.
The Scamarone Roldan family was assigned to light the third candle while the notes of the song “Cantad con gozo con ilusion, ya se acerca el Señor” (Sing with joy in hope, the Lord is near”) were intoned.
A corner of love
The Cardinal’s homily caused those present to reflect and many hearts were touched. Some can still hear some phrases like “fix your homes up, Jesus is coming, and we have to clean our houses;” “we have family, life, faith, children: these are all blessings of God”; the attitude of a Christian towards life should be one of gratitude, of conversion, and constantly asking the Lord: please give me the joy that comes forth from our Mother.”
He referred to the Shrine as a corner of love, a corner wherein the Mother knows that her children dislike clamor or a lot of activity; everyone wants the love of Mary in their hearts.
He reminded them that he blessed the Shrine ten years ago, but now upon his return, he did not recognize the place because it had changed a lot.
Before the end, he also referred to their living an anniversary within another one which is the 100 years that will be celebrated next year, 100 years since the first Covenant of Love that God had asked of Father Kentenich to start with Mary.
The Unity Cross as a gift
Finally, he expressed: “I ask our Mother to bless all the friends of this Movement; may this relationship of friendship, this relationship of justice, of warmth, this relationship of education, this desire to bring good to others, may this make you all more humble, since lack of humility can destroy. Humility does wonders in homes, in society, in personal contacts, at work; it does wonders, while pride destroys. In this corner, the grace of God is present. From this corner, you can do so much good; do not close up the love of God, the love of Mary in these corners. You have to open up, to leave and make yourselves be heard, communicate to the rest this love, this warmth, this joy. Let us not put a stop to the love of God in our homes, we have to spread it.
I am glad for this anniversary and this Jubilee. Do not forget that you have the Plenary Indulgence that is a big gift. It is the forgiveness of God, a special one that the Church has given you for this anniversary. And I copy Pope Francisco to say, pray for me. We, pastors, need courage, enthusiasm, unconditional bravery, proclamation of the Word with affection, without giving up.”
At the end, the Chavez Best family, the coordinators, thanked the Cardinal for his presence and asked the whole assembly to pray the prayer of Consecration with him. They gave him a beautiful Unity Cross as a gift that the Cardinal kissed.
He left amidst the applause and the Jubilee 2014 Hymn.
After the traditional sharing of wine and congratulations amongst all, they thought how all the preparation and the work were worth it and things turned out better than they had expected because the Blessed Mother always wants to participate and puts some detail or two where no one had planned or thought of one.
Translated from Spanish to English by Kohnie Valderrama, Madrid, Spain
