ARGENTINA, Rosita Ciola/mda. Alfredo Vallendor departed to the Father’s House at dawn on Tuesday, June 25th. Odette and Alfredo Vallendor were pioneers of the Shrine of Villa Ballester and were one of the founding couples of the Family Work in Argentina. They received the mission of spreading the Home shrine current in Argentina and beyond.
In 1963 – fifty years ago – they traveled to Milwaukee and the Founding Father gave them the mission to spread the Home shrine, since they were pioneers of this. They knew how to transmit the meaning of the Homeshrine for family life and for the apostolate with their authentic and simple style. Odette Vallendor, who met Father Kentenich as an adolescent during his visits to Villa Ballester, worked, until her death in June 2011, to maintain the places where Father Kentenich sowed Schoenstatt seeds in the German community of Villa Ballester. They loyally kept every sheet of paper with Father Kentenich’s texts and prayers as well as the notes they took during their meetings with him, and they knew how to transmit his message without having to look at these sheets. They saved the photos and the text of their children’s consecration before Father Kentenich on that visit to Milwaukee and the promise their children entrusted to the Blessed Mother in the Home shrine that they would remain “Her children” forever-as a treasure.
An allied couple in the Father’s House
Claudia Echenique relates: “The day before yesterday, June 24th, was the 2nd Anniversary of Odette’s death. She was completely united with Alfredo even in this.
Alfredo and Odette are concrete witnesses of profound loyalty to the Founding Father, even in the most difficult moment of Schoenstatt history.
I was in their home several times recording interviews with them, and I learned a lot about how to live Schoenstatt in daily life.
I am sure that the Schoenstatt couples now have an “allied couple” in the Father’s House. Do not hesitate to ask Alfredo and Odette to intercede before Jesus for couples and their families.
On the eve of the Home shrine Congress
“Odette and Alfredo have been two of my beloved friends. I shared family life and a great apostolic life with them,” said Rosita Ciola. She continued: They were always willing to come to my city, El Palomar, every time that we invited them to give their personal testimony about the Home shrine. For a time, I thought that coincidences did not exist; but rather, causalities, Alfredo departed to the Father’s House to reunite with his beloved Odette at the moment that the International Home shrine Congress was being held. They, who worked so much for this mission, now continue to work and to illuminate this gift of God for so many people and families, who are willing to open the doors of their home to the Blessed Mother and the Triune God.
For me and surely for many people, who have known them, they have been two lit lanterns, who have shown holiness and fruitful giving of self to God, through their lives, and with their simplicity and overflowing love, they have taught us how to live in loyalty to God, the Blessed Mother, the Founding Father and his Work. Now from their new dwelling, they will always accompany and guide us toward the Heavenly Kingdom.
Thank you beloved friends!! That little flame that you lit in every person, who had the grace of knowing you, will remain in our hearts, long live forever!!
Spanish/English Celina M. Garza San Antonio, TX, USA
