ARGENTINA/URUGUAY, by Ernestina Strata •
Saturday, 28 November a group of forty enthusiastic pilgrims departed from Buenos Aires to Nueva Helvecia, the first Schoenstatt Daughter Shrine, for an encounter with the Father and Founder’s person and footsteps. Those in the group were from different places around Argentina: Tucumán, Tandil (BA.Arg.), San Pedro (BA. Arg.), Córdoba, Mendoza, Corrientes, Greater Buenos Aires, and Buenos Aires City. A family from Benito Juárez (Province of Buenos Aires), a woman from Montevideo and another person, who lives at Punta del Este, joined the group at Nueva Helvecia. Sister Clara María, who organized the trip with a team from the Father Kentenich Secretariat, accompanied the pilgrimage. It was a wonderful trip. Upon arriving at Colonia de Sacramento (a city in Uruguay), they boarded the bus for Nueva Helvecia. During the one-hour trip, they focused on the peaceful landscape, as the pilgrims became acquainted, and they imagined sharing this encounter with Fr. Kentenich.
The relaxed exchange and the songs were interrupted when they saw a beautifully designed and well cared for wayside shrine, which announced the proximity of the first Daughter Shrine.
One of a kind, yet home
After a delicious lunch and a brief break, the pilgrims departed for the Shrine. Upon arriving, they were welcomed by joyful ringing bells, with Sisters María Laura, Marinés and M. Beatriz warmth and joy. Every pilgrim had a moment of prayer in this unique Shrine; they experienced the grace of sheltering that the Blessed Mother always gives in her home. Everyone had an encounter with Father, and they introduced him to all the people they carried with them, as well as their concerns and desires.
Father Kentenich`s Footsteps
Then with Sister Marinés as a guide, they traveled following Father Kentenich’s footsteps. The tour began with the Mater Ter Admirabilis School, which is beside the Shrine. Sister guided them through a prayerful walk– unhurried and expectant at the same time– she offered historic information, anecdotes and details. In this experience, the Father and Founder’s presence and closeness was revealed, recalled and brought to life, which every pilgrim experienced as a special and unique gift.
After sharing a snack in the garden, they returned to the Shrine. There they heard extracts of Sister M. Úrsula’s talk, in which she narrated how the first filial covenant had developed in this Shrine. Then some pilgrims sealed and others renewed their filial covenant consciously assuming the Father and Founder’s inheritance, seeking to be trusting children of solidarity and as missionaries. They also heard the history of the recently blessed wayside shrine at Punta del Este. The MTA uses the most incredible instruments to carry out her work of evangelization.
An experience of the universal Church’s riches
Finally, the pilgrims joyfully participated in Holy Mass at Nueva Helvecia parish church.
The following day was another gift of a luminous journey. At the school, they saw a slideshow about Schoenstatt’s history in these lands, and then they gathered at the parish. The Bishop of Lodi, Italy, who was visiting the local pastor, who is also Italian, providentially celebrated the Eucharist. Both of them along with other priests approached the Shrine to greet and to pray to the Blessed Mother.
Time with Father Kentenich
Upon returning to the Shrine, they again spent time with Fr. Kentenich to express what was in the intimacy of their hearts, and they wrote it on a little paper heart for his paternal care and complete giving of self for each of his children. As they sang, they deposited the paper hearts in the jar that holds the contributions to the capital of grace, and each person received a lighted candle as a sign of Father’s presence in his children.
Before boarding a ferry, they toured Colonia’s historic citadel, enjoying a spring-like afternoon. They participated in games and mimicries close to Río de la Plata, on the beautiful Colonia coast.
The return trip was joyful because of the encounter and certainty that the Mother and Queen will continue to lead her children into a deep and personal relationship with the Father and Founder, and through him to God the Father.
Original: Spanish. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
