PARAGUAY, Horacio Chávez •
At 5:30 am, the first buses of pilgrims arrived at the National Shrine of Tupãrenda, and with this the national celebration of Our Lady of Schoenstatt’s gathering began. At that time, the volunteers and all those who serve on this day walked to their respective places to give every pilgrim the best welcome. —
Two months before, a team of forty volunteers, called Equipo 18 (Team 18), met to prepare the organizational logistics and welcome for thousands of pilgrims that would arrive on October 18th from different parts of the country, as well as members of the large Paraguayan Schoenstatt Family including much of the media and other people who wanted to visit the Queen on her day.
Many love stories
It is a great joy and blessing to serve in Tupãrenda because one can see how the pilgrims approach the Shrine and the four Masses during the day to pray for work, the youths, health, or the family, everyone with their love story, petitions, and contributions to the capital of grace. A woman with her Pilgrim MTA was recorded by Telefuturo cameras affirming that the Blessed Mother had given her the health that she needed so much, and in gratitude she was present at the 9:00 am Mass.
They experienced many love stories and thanksgiving and all those who participated in this large celebration, whether they were pilgrims, volunteers, priests or members of the media, felt happy and sheltered by the Blessed Mother. Everyone left, joyful on that day and every day.
Original: Spanish. 4 November 2018. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA. Edited: Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, TX USA
