ARGENTINA, Guillermo Romero. On March 1st, the Schoenstatt Family from Nogoyá joyfully welcomed the visit of the Father Symbol traveling throughout the world.
“It was an historic visit, the Founder himself wanted to be among us, to visit us, to transmit his closeness, and to seek capital of grace for 2014,” commented the excited participants, who were able to attend.
The Father Symbol providentially arrived at the Basilica of Our Lady of Carmen, Patroness of the city of Nogoyá. This is the place where the people of Entre Rios were born, the same place where the first Schoenstatters met to found Schoenstatt in Nogoyá. Here, God the Father and the Founder and Father wanted to hold everyone in their embrace.
Commitment with Father
The site was prepared with the dignity befitting this providential visit. A large number of Schoenstatt members and devotees of the Blessed Mother came to wait for the arrival, then bells pealed, the long live Father, handkerchiefs held high, and a fervent applause welcomed Father, who was alive among his children.
Many, who perceived the Founder and the graces of the Original Shrine in the Symbol, were overcome with emotion and others, who saw such a great demonstration of love, were filled with admiration.
The central point of the celebration was the rite of commitment with Father; they sealed the offering to his work and his mission with all their strength.
A Father Symbol for the Homeshrine
Then, everyone took time to kiss the Father Symbol, leaving his or her petition so that Father could present it to the Blessed Mother. They left a flower that they had brought as a gesture of welcome, and they were given a handmade, ceramic Father Symbol to take home.
On his way through Nogoyá, Father renewed the awareness that “the Father sees me, he loves me, and he needs me. I see him, I love him, and I need him…” in every heart.
Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, Tx: English translation – M. P. Janknegt: English edit
