Tribute to Father Esteban Uriburu

ARGENTINA, Mercedes Bonorino. On October 12^th, when Rome celebrates the Marian Conference in the context of the Year of Faith, it will be the 15^th Anniversary of Father Esteban Uriburu’s departure to heaven. There will be a tribute close to Father Esteban Uriburu’s tomb in Florencio Varela, on the Zion Shrine grounds.

Since Father Esteban traveled untiringly to make the Covenant of Love and the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign known throughout the world, a group of his friends, thought about the many people who appreciate him, who are far away, and who will not be able to attend on this day. They are inviting everyone who wishes, to write to them asking that we place a flower on their behalf on Father Esteban’s tomb on the 12^th.

The response that this initiative has awakened is very exciting: we are receiving many messages from people from different places and countries uniting themselves to this tribute and asking to be represented with a flower. It is a sign of what Father Esteban awakened in the most profound parts of those hearts who had the grace to know him and who remain marked by the immense richness of his personality, his deep spirituality, and his love for the Blessed Mother and Schoenstatt.

Messages have also arrived from many people, who did not know him personally, but feel attracted to him for his passionate and heroic giving of self in the priesthood, at the service of God, in the footsteps of the Founder and Father.

To send a flower, just write to: enviaunaflorparaelpadreesteban@gmail.com. Any message of gratitude, commitment or petition will be added to the flower.

Who is Father Esteban Uriburu?

Father Esteban Uriburu (1937 – 1998), Argentina, studied at the Jesuit School of the Savior and he graduated as a lawyer at the University of Buenos Aires in 1960. That year he chose the road to the priesthood receiving his training in Chile, Brazil, and Germany. He was ordained in 1971 as a member of the Secular Institute of Schoenstatt Fathers. Father Kentenich called him “a new Christopher Columbus” because in the future he would be a “conqueror of the world.” He died on October 12, 1998 after several years of suffering a severe illness, relapsing polychondritis.

The spread and internationalization of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign owes a large part to the constant and dedicated work of Father Esteban Uriburu. At different times, he affirmed that his encounter with it had changed the course of his life, and that by spreading it, he had found his mission: “I now have my mission until death,” he commented to different friends and members of the Schoenstatt Family. Using images, he was accustomed to say, “Until now I navigated in a small stream, and suddenly I was on an immense river that took me to the open sea.” He spoke of the Campaign as “the speedy vehicle of the Schoenstatt message;” he could speak for long hours about how this Current of Life and Graces solidifies the Founder’s desire and vision of making the mystery of Schoenstatt popular, by taking it to the people, “to the open field”. As he spoke, it was noticeable that he not only ignited those who listened; but rather, he “re-ignited” himself at every moment. His entire being transmitted joy, hope and great respect.  Any topic of conversation unfailingly led him to Schoenstatt.

Through his books, trips, interviews, encounters and words, he not only enthused many people encouraging them to do things they never imagined they could carry out in in their life, but he also taught them the most profound and sacred things about the Campaign. He accustomed to say: “Through the Campaign, Schoenstatt should radiate like lightening throughout the world.” Father Angel Stada, his course brother, said this about him: “Father Esteban dreamed about a thriving and vigorous Schoenstatt of wide horizons, missionary impulse, open to all men/women and all peoples, placing itself at the generous service of the Church and of the world.”

For many people, Father Esteban Uriburu is synonymous of zeal for the mission, the Schoenstatt mission, Father’s mission of an irrepressible drive to radiate Father’s message and charism “to every corner of the world with the conviction, the fire, passion and exuberant enthusiasm that overwhelmed him when he spoke about Father and the MTA. “In difficult times, there is a key question that put in sports terms would be, if I were the trainer, what would worry me the most would not be the rival in front of me, no matter how strong he was, but rather, the training, the character and spirit of struggle of my own team.”

His entire person burned, transmitted strength, courage, daring and a boldness that “overcame” whoever heard him talk; it was such a strong contagion that it made one feel capable of climbing the highest peaks, of leading the charge against all obstacles, in the interest of the mission.

The Rosary Campaign, Mary’s Volunteers, Confidentia, the Shrine of San Isidro, the Father Kentenich Children’s Home, Father’s Zion, the Marian Center of the Diocese of Nueve de Julio, Bethlehem of Escobar, are just some of the many things he carried out in Argentina. Moreover, he was one of the promoters of John Pozzobon’s process of beatification. He was outstanding as a man of great projects, and his work reached international dimensions. He was man, who was in love with the Blessed Mother; he was an author, loyal priest, preacher, dreamer, and a father of many.

“I accept that the majority of my things seem like madness, but let us agree that God has surrounded me with mad men/women to carry them out.” Father Esteban Uriburu.

Father Esteban Uriburu is one of the “patrons” of schoenstatt.org. The first article of this webpage was published on October 12, 1998. He is a patron because of his commitment to an open and missionary Schoenstatt that goes out to encounter others…and for the madness of thinking that it can be done.

Translation: Celina M. Garza San Antonio, Texas USA