ARGENTINA, Alicia Granieri. On Saturday, the 18th of October, the Schoenstatt Family of the Archdiocese of Bahía Blanca celebrated the Jubilee of the Schoenstatt Movement in the wayside shrine, parishes and chapels of the various towns and cities. On Sunday, the 19th, there was a pilgrimage to the Mother and Queen of the People Shrine where Father Daniel Jany celebrated the Holy Mass.
“The beautiful one”
In Bahía Blanca, there was a procession with the Auxiliary Shrine of the Pilgrim MTA from Rivadavia Square to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy, as they sang “Caminando en la Alianza” (“Walking in the Covenant”). It was very touching and joyful to see that the Blessed Mother was greeted by passers-by and the curious who asked whose picture it was, “She is beautiful.” they said. The picture of the MTA accompanied the Eucharist; Father Horacio Fuhr, pastor of the cathedral, Father Daniel Jany, adviser of the Movement and Father Juan D’Amico, adviser of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign, con-celebrated.
In the homily, Father Daniel spoke of the one hundred years of the Schoenstatt Movement and of Mary’s love that is offered freely. He said, “One hundred year ago, Father Kentenich manifested that man will only respond to God with love in the measure in which he discovers the love that He has for him. For this reason, we especially hope that in the Schoenstatt Shrine, Mary will give us the capacity to discover God’s love and to respond to Him with love.”
Renewal of the covenant as a family
It was a family celebration: the youths, the Mothers’ Branch, the couples, the missionaries of the Campaign united to renew the Covenant with Mary. After Mass, there was a balloon release of Father Kentenich’s messages, then they shared a dinner, and of course there was a delicious birthday cake. Before blowing out the candles, little candles were distributed and each person expressed how he/she wanted to be light to their brothers/sisters, and “Happy Birthday” was sung.
In the wayside shrine of Pigüé
It began with a triduum in which everyday the pastor, Father Hugo Díaz Súnico, successively reflected about Father Kentenich, about the Shrine and about the Mission.
The great day arrived, and because of the logistics, it was celebrated on the 17th. The family gathered at 6:00 p.m. at Fountain of Grace Wayside Shrine, Father Hugo and Father Daniel Jany accompanied them. Five persons sealed the Covenant of Love. Then everyone renewed the covenant and they were sent forth. Father Hugo blessed the plaque in memory of Guillermina Waiman de Maier, the instrument chosen by the Blessed Mother to bring the Schoenstatt Movement to Pigüé. Finally, the Father Symbol was blessed; later it was placed in the parish church, where the participants went to participate in Holy Mass.
The enthronement of the Father Symbol, which the Movement offered to the parish to commemorate Schoenstatt’s one hundred years, was very touching; the Hymn of the Jubilee 2014 was sung. After the Eucharist, Father Daniel Jany presented a very interesting talk in the parish hall, then there was a fraternal agape meal, and of course there was a birthday cake.
In Coronel Dorrego
A joyful expectation was experienced in Coronel Dorrego: the youths of the Boys’ and Girls’ Youth sealed the covenant. The Rosary was prayed at the wayside shrine of the Blessed Mother, the Franciscan Sisters prepared Saint Joseph School’s Chapel. On the June 7, 1947, Father Joseph Kentenich celebrated Holy Mass here on the last day that he was in this town. This event was commemorated with a beautiful plaque.
In the evening, the chapel began to fill with the faithful who wanted to accompany the Family in the renewal of the Covenant of Love. Father Guillermo Fanelli, pastor of Our Lady of Carmen in Tres Arroyos, celebrated the Eucharist. In all it was a large celebration: the new allies with their relatives happily returned from the National Shrine, the neighboring communities also held celebrations…Jesus and his Mother embraced everyone. Heaven was very close, and with renewed strength, they determined to continue carrying the “Most Holy Virgin’s triumphal chariot.”
In Médanos
The celebrations in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Médanos were beautiful! The missionaries prepared Holy Mass at 7:00 p.m. A picture of the Blessed Mother was enthroned in the parish prior to end of the Mass; her dwelling place was perfectly prepared in a corner. Everything was very touching.
At the end of the ceremony, holy cards of the Blessed Mother were given to the participants, and there was a community celebration.
United to the large Family from Tornquist
Saturday, the 18th of October was the great day. The family gathered in the church at 11:00 a.m. to share the live transmission of the renewal of the Covenant of Love at Schoenstatt. With great emotion, they experienced the grace of truly being a part of this large family that Father Kentenich founded one hundred years ago in that small chapel that today opens it door in all five continents.
In the afternoon, a beautiful illuminated rosary was offered to the Blessed Mother; people who receive the Virgin in their homes participated. A young family crowned the Mother and Queen with a missionary rosary, representing the entire international Schoenstatt Family. An elderly couple, along with children of the Our Lady of Lujan School, offered bouquets of flowers to pay tribute to Her. The final highlight was Patricia’s gift of the Ave Maria. It was an indescribable moment.
The Holy Mass was the climax of this beautiful celebration, the church was filled with children, who expressed gratitude and paid tribute to their Mother. The Mother always convokes. Hopefully, her children will respond everyday by being apt instruments in her hands.
Coronel Suárez
The Jubilee celebrations carried out in Coronel Suárez included recreational activities for the Family: planting an olive tree, the prayer of the rosary organized by the youths, Holy Mass with covenants, blessing the new hall on the grounds of the wayside shrine, and then a dinner. It was day of many blessings for them, the same as it was for the entire Schoenstatt Family.
Celebration of the Centenary of the Covenant of Love in Carhué
“This is the day the Lord has made! Today like 100 years ago, we celebrate the Covenant of Love with Mary!” On Saturday, the 18th of October 2014, the 1,000 Hail Marys were prayed during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Then there was a pilgrimage from Our Lady of the Unprotected Parish to the wayside shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt located at the entrance of the city: praying, singing and thanking the Mother Thrice Admirable Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt for this large family. Then Holy Mass was celebrated in thanksgiving and praying for graces. There was the renewal of the Covenant of Love and the missionary commitment.
With words touching the hearts of the participants, Father Matías Gonzalo Pardo, took the picture of the Father and Founder that accompanied the celebration saying: “This Movement is realizing a dream that Father Joseph Kentenich had one hundred years ago and that has remained and grown throughout time. The Covenant of Love with Mary is the original form of living the baptismal covenant. The covenant with the Most Holy Trinity is expressed and guaranteed in it.
The love for Mary, expressed in this Covenant, is transformed into the most rapid and sure way to live in a living and constant contact with the God of our life and of history. We become a “Family” through the Covenant of Love, since everyone who seals the Covenant are and feel as children of Mary, and for this, brothers/sisters among themselves. Also in this wayside shrine, fruit of work and of prayer, Mary gives us the experience of being welcomed, just as we are, with the good and the bad that there is within us. In Mary’s heart, we can rest, feel as children of God and loved by Him,” he expressed.
These are only a sample of the celebrations; the archdiocese is very large, and anywhere the Blessed Mother had arrived was celebrated with enthusiasm and gratitude.
There were many contributions to the Capital of Grace, much prayer and great joy to feel a part of a large family as Father Kentenich said in Paso Mayor on the 14th of April 1952, paraphrasing Saint Vincent Pallotti: “She is the great Missionary of the People! She will work large miracles!”
Original: Spanish – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
