ARGENTINA, Claudia Echenique. The youths from the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Region joined the Shrines of San Isidro, Villa Ballester, Belgrano, Confidentia, Sión, Nuevo Schoenstatt and La Plata in 100 km pilgrimage that lasted 3 days and which they called “Schoenstatt 100k – 100 – 100 km”. It was held August 15-18 and youths from the communities of Confidentia, Villa Ballester, Bella Vista, San Isidro, La Plata, Paraná, Belén de Escobar, Florencio Varela and Salta participated.
During the convocation the motivation for the pilgrimage was clearly seen: 100- years, 100 km, Seven Shrines and a Legacy. This is how the youths expressed it in the convocation:
100 Years
There was a Father Kentenich, there was a first Shrine, there was a group of young boys, who strengthened and increased. There were wars, crosses and joys, consecrations, and Covenants. There were heroes and saints. There were great ideals, men convinced of what they were doing, what they were, and what they were called to be. “We want to honor our origin”, the youths said.
100 Km
There was a road of 100 years, Schoenstatt 100K is a pilgrimage. From the symbolic, we want to show that the inheritance which was left to us is still alive. From the practical, we want to go on pilgrimage to guarantee our Capital of Grace, to make our giving of self tangible, to know people, to shorten paths, to not walk alone, to strengthen prayer.
Seven Shrines
Seven Shrines mean seven Youths. And each time there are more youths who want to work jointly, knowing that there are many desires and ideals in common. The Youth from San Isidro Villa Ballester, Belgrano, Confidentia, Floencio Varela and La Plata want to unite and to show that Schoenstatt is one. “We want to go out, each one from their own Shrine to meet the others and together to ally ourselves with Mary. We want to begin to think, to dream and to form one single family. To sing, jump, show, motivate, complement, go on mission, pray, converse, and share. We dream with building something together”, they expressed.
A Legacy
There was a Schoenstatt, there is a Schoenstatt and there will be a Schoenstatt. The legacy that they left us is also the legacy we will leave. As allies with Mary we want to ensure the ideals for which so many Heroes gave their lives. We want to be Saints today so that this life style transcends history itself.
God wanted, that today we be those responsible to keep Schoenstatt alive. We want then, to be worthy protagonists of this History, which is also ours.
Ongoing urban pilgrimage
During the preparation and in every step of the walk, they reflected and transmitted the Covenant Culture. One divided city and with many conflicts was crossed through this strong testimony and of team work.
They departed on Saturday, the 16th of August from the Shrine of San Isidro toward the Shrine of Villa Ballester and then towards Belgrano and Confidentia.
This “urban pilgrimage” walked with the Pilgrim Blessed Mother singing, praying and conversing with the people they met on the road. They went on pilgrimage on mission and they became a sign of joy and of hope.
A Schoenstatt missionary
The pilgrimage continued on Sunday the 17th, to the Shrines of Sión and Nuevo Schoenstatt and it was filled with the richness of every Shrine they visited. It was accompanied by a spirituality that marked every day, with a moment of the Schoenstatt history. The first day was dedicated to thanksgiving and to look at the past of the Movement with the testimony of Sister Christvera about the first times and their encounter with Father Kentenich.
The second day, they reflected on Schoenstatt of today and the Epele brothers helped them to value what the Blessed Mother does in the groups of life, in the Shrine and in the activities of the branches. Finally, Jaime Grandval set them on fire, inviting them to dream with the Schoenstatt of the future, a missionary Schoenstatt that goes out as a team to serve.
Covenant Day
On Monday, the 18th, for the last stretch of the pilgrimage from Florencio Varela to La Plata, the Sisters of Mary gave them the chains with which they went on pilgrimage making Capital of Grace and praying for Father Kentenich’s freedom, who was in exile in Milwaukee. “The youths prayed to Jesus that he free each one of us interiorly, and we also prayed for the gift of freedom for the entire Movement”, they expressed.
The 100 km ended with the arrival at the Shrine of La Plata. They were tired, but their faces were filled with happiness. Here, Pope Francis’ words resounded: “How beautiful it is to see that young people are “street preachers” (callejeros de la calle), joyfully bringing Jesus to every street, every town square and every corner of the earth! (The Joy of the Gospel, 106, p.74)
Father Facundo Bernabei, adviser of the Boys’ Youth, expressed his gratitude “to our 100 young pilgrims and missionaries, courageous messengers of the Covenant. Thank you for being a living Shrine in the midst of the city, thank you for moving us forward and helping us to celebrate these one hundred years with a joyful and strong spirit”.
With material from:
– facebook.com/schoenstatt100k
– Schoenstatt Bulletin Buenos Aires
Original: Spanish – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
