ARGENTINA, Claudia Echenique. Jubilee Hymn 2014 was presented to the world on October 18, 2013, at the beginning of the Jubilee year. The song “Your Covenant – Our Mission” was chosen among all the ones that were presented to Team 2014 from different countries. Its authors Sister María Pilar Carrère ( text ) and Sister María Magdalena Viñas (music), live in New Schoenstatt, Florencio Varela, Argentina. This song has a brief history that just came to light a few weeks ago.
A Magnificat for the gift of the Covenant of Love
Sister María Pilar had already written other lyrics that were later transformed into songs, but on this occasion “it had not occurred to her to compose it.” From the Father Shrine in Florencio Varela, she relates: “I received an invitation from Schoenstatt to try it. I saw it as the light of Providence. During some vacation time, I opened myself to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and I began to write a text. I imagined it as the Magnificat of the Schoenstatt Family for the gift of the Covenant of Love, the great treasure that we want to give to the entire world from the Shrine. The hymn is an invitation to unite there in praise, joy, and mission consciousness.”
The music emerged from the Shrine
Then Sister María Magdalena Viñas composed the melody, a task in which she utilized all the gifts for music that the Lord had given her. But there was a difficult moment, of tension, with only a few of the last chords lacking and…there was no inspiration!!!
She was at her piano in the Sister’s house on Echeverría Street, close to the Belgrano Shrine. Upon seeing how nervous she was, the other Sisters suggested almost like an order that she go to the Shrine and ask the Blessed Mother that She be the one to compose the last part.
And so it was. After a time of prayer before the Tabernacle, Sister María Magdalena returned to the piano and the notes that were missing to finish the music of the song, which would finally be chosen as Jubilee Hymn 2014, emerged naturally.
Original: Spanish – Translation: Celina M. Garza San Antonio, TX USA
