PARAGUAY, José Argüello •
On Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., the groups belonging to the Family Branch (Archdiocese and Diocese of San Lorenzo), were convoked to Tuparenda to hold the Start-up Conference. In the earthly plans, the expectation was for a multitudinous convocation since the invitation was to all the couples and children included. However, due to the health emergency situation worldwide, the government authorities of Paraguay adhered to severe prevention measures, to avoid the propagation of covid-19. The universal church, of course, a supported this measure, and at the local level, it was decided to not call the so longed for starting day. —
It seems to be the question that challenged the main leaders of this Branch, who did not stand idly by.With the reflection of the spiritual advisor, Father Martin Gomez, they invited all the couples, all the families to unite in the prayer of the holy rosary at 5:00 p.m., which coincides with the time that the Journey of Arrangement was convened. This invitation was accompanied by the homily preached by Father Martin Gomez on the second Friday of Lent (March 13, 2020), which is transcribed below.
Sermon – Fr. Martín Gómez (english translation)
Isolation yes – solidarity bonding, even more
Around 5:00 p.m., the reactions and interactions of the couples and families praying the rosary, did not take long to arrive. Individually, as a couple, as a family, in remote meetings, with applications or video calls, the members of the different levels of the Family Branch managed to accompany this initiative of prayer and to confront this health emergency situation with the most powerful weapon that the Blessed Virgin Mary gave us: the Holy Rosary.
May this time of social isolation and general uncertainty not make us lose sight of the essential, love of family, conjugal love, love of neighbor, and health in general. And that in the prayer of the Holy Rosary we find the strength to bear everything.
Original: Spanish .03.2020. Translation by: Maria Aragón, Monterrey, Mexico
