PARAGUAY, Kikito Vázquez. I would like to recall in these few lines, our beloved Course brother who has passed into the Eternal Schoenstatt: Beto Etchegaray.
He and his wife, Mirta, formed part of the first course of the Federation of Families, Founders, from where our Lord called him. He stood out due to his character and personality. When he first entered Schoenstatt in Paraguay, it was in that period, a family of families, and a feature that has always been one of its distinctive characteristics. Beto studied Engineering at the University of Asunción. He was the Class delegate for six years of his university career, an assistant of the main professor, and later a professor himself. For many years, he took part as one of the examiners of the Entrance Board to Engineering, and much later, he was named “professor emeritus” of the Engineering Faculty at the National University. Three years after, Mirta also enrolled in the same Faculty and soon, all Beto’s attention was directed at the young lady. When she finally accepted his proposal, he narrated that his happiness was complete. After eight months, they were married in the Parish of San Francisco. Before this, they had already joined the Apostolic League in the Bethlehem group for three months before they got married.
Brave people ready to change the world
They were blessed to participate in the search for the land and later in the construction of the Shrine of Tuparenda. He and Mirta were at once invited by Father Antonio to be a part of the pre-Federation group, which was being formed in that time among people who seemed more interested and committed to the Movement. They were a brave couple, outstanding people, who were ready to change the world. In 1985 they went to Schoenstatt to celebrate the Centenary of Fr. Kentenich, and upon their return, they started to work on the Rosary Campaign. Fr Esteban Uriburu launched the idea of making the campaign international and they dedicated themselves to supporting this idea with complete enthusiasm, along with Marite and Ramon Marini, Fatina and Jose Caceres, and Marta Elena Vera.
Working passionately
But since 1988-1989, Beto began suffering from a rare disease that was never clearly diagnosed. It lessened his mobility, and reduced his area of action. Despite their intentions to have Beto treated, locally or in other countries, they were only given hope for delay in the evolution of the disease. The disease advanced slowly, Beto was conscious that this was a trial that God had sent him. But he did not give up anything. He used to say that he only wondered about the purpose for which God had sent him this illness and did not bother with why he was sick. He began to move around in a wheelchair, and to depend on the kind assistance of those around him. Fortunately, he had Mirta who was there every second attending to him and giving him all the loving attention he needed. Beto was grateful to God for the companion He had given to take care of him, and everyone around them could see this. He was aware that the increase of his difficulties in complying with what God expected of him, was only to increase the merits of his actions. Aside from working enthusiastically in the Rosary Campaign, Beto asked God to allow him to watch his own little family. He asked God to allow him to see his children grow, to give him the gift of playing with his grandchildren. God kindly and especially granted his requests. He saw his three sons, Raul, Juan Manuel, and Reinaldo finish their primary studies; he saw them graduate from the University, and saw the births of his three grandchildren.
Varied apostolate
With the passing of time, together with other couples of the Federation, they started the foundation of the cemetery, Aleluya, an especially dear place for Beto and where he now lies waiting for the resurrection, together with Nonino Flecha and Liz Giangreco, both members as well of the Federation of Families. The Etchegarays collaborated in other ministries. They were in charge of several groups as Guiding Couples. They monitored several groups in workshops. One was in helping people in bereavement held in the Archdiocese of Asuncion; they were one of the first couples, which introduced the Prayer Workshops in Paraguay and the life of Fr. Ignacio Larrañaga. They helped on the Encounters with God retreats. All these events prepared them to later initiate, the Workshops of prayer according to Fr. Kentenich, an initiative of Fr. Alberto Eronti: “Paths of Prayer of Fr. Kentenich.” On two occasions, the Etchegarays were Regional heads of the Mborayhu Renda Region (Region of Love); they closely helped in the preparation of the crowning of the MTA in Tuparenda in August 22, 1999. They were educators of several Federation courses in the formative years of preparation before perpetual consecration. Actually they were in a group of couples of the Federation who wanted to continue with the ministry of the grandparents.
The soul of the course
Beto was the soul of the course on very special occasions, like Men’s Day – in which he was the father -, they were in the process of preparing for the Men’s Retreat of both courses 1 and 2. But God had other plans. Unexpectedly he was taken suddenly and his suffering mercifully was at an end.
We fully realize that another Golden Federate has just left.
Beto, with his simple spirituality, was truly a living example of “Children before God”, the Ideal of our Course.
Original: Spanish. Translation: Kohnie Valeramma, Madrid, Spain
