Posted On 2012-01-19 In Jubilee 2014

The Father Symbol is already traveling in Argentina

ARGENTINA, Sister Elsa María/org. During the first week of January, the Father Symbol traveled through three dioceses in Argentina: Oberá, Santo Tomé (Ituzaingó), and Posadas.

 

 

 

 

When they arrived at Oberá, a sign on the Shrine’s patio said: “We are celebrating, the Father Symbol is coming!”

Many people made the last minute preparations for the welcome…they arrived two hours before the appointed time, and they continued working.

The automobile entered through the wide gate. Upon seeing it, everyone ran to welcome the Father Symbol, and the Shrine bell began to ring out in pure joy.

The celebration began at 7:30 p.m.: The festive Holy Mass was presided by the parish vicar, a newly ordained priest. They began with an entrance procession with the flags of the different Branches and groups, and the Father Symbol entered last carried by two ladies who belong to the Family Work, Blanca de Geisseler and Susan Alba Posse, who also had the privilege of being present sixty-four years ago, when Father Kentenich arrived at Oberá for the first time. It was an intense and touching moment.

After the solemn Holy Mass, there was a time for reflection.

“Your Symbol is now in our land”

The Symbol was welcomed to Argentina by a missionary group, which danced native dances, as if to say to Father Kentenich: your Symbol is now in our land that has been waiting; you are among your Argentinean children…

After the reflection, the Father Symbol was taken in procession, crossing the patio; they arrived at the oratory of the Schoenstatt Family House, where they had erected a throne. They place the Father Symbol there along with all the Father Symbols from the Homeshrines of the Oberá Family.

And the joyful celebration began! The Father Symbol was now among them; let’s celebrate!

The patio was filled with people, chairs, tables, and a pizza roll that did not run out…There were folkloric dances and fireworks that created an atmosphere of joy and fraternity. No one wanted to leave…and even those in haste forgot that they wanted to go to rest…It was a celebration; the Father Symbol was with them!

Visit to the wayside shrines and homes

The following day, January 4th, the Father Symbol visited the communities surrounding the wayside shrines; in the morning, it went to Campo Viera and in the afternoon to Guaraní. The Father Symbol made five minute visits to all the homes. The homes were very humble and needy, but rich in love and respectful veneration. They welcomed the Father Symbol with tears of emotion.

That night, the Family work had an hour of adoration in the Shrine with the Father Symbol. It was profound, and it touched them deeply.

On January 5th, the Father Symbol continued to travel through homes; five minutes was long enough to bless and to leave a profound mark on each member of the family…

That afternoon, the Mothers’ Branch had its encounter in the Shrine, followed by the Secretariat of the Founding Father and finally by the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign.

Testimonies

At 9:00 to 10:00 p.m., they gathered as family with the Father Symbol and they began to tell about their experiences.

We will share some of the testimonies which emerged between tears and broken words:

“For me, the arrival of the Father Symbol to my home was like when the Virgin arrived at Elizabeth’s and she said: “Who am I that God the Father should come to visit me? For me, through this visit, everything was fulfilled, and everything was carried out in my life. Now I have to keep all that I have and to be an instrument so that others will come to Schoenstatt through the Father’s hands.”

“I am not worthy that the Father come to my house…I had him for so much time…when he was at my house, my husband was present. God reveals himself to the little ones. It was a great grace that God gave us this opportunity. I never thought it would be possible…”

“To me it was very touching. The Father came!!! It was very intense. It was a presence that touched deeply. Who are we that God should come to us, the presence of the Father was so intense that I cannot express it.”

“I felt the presence of our Father and Founder in the presence of God the Father.”

“It is a time when God touches deeply…”

“I felt very excited to receive the Father Symbol, I felt the pleasant memories when I met Father Joseph Kentenich, I felt his presence in this Symbol.”

 

Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English Translation – Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit

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