CHILE, Rafael Mota. On March 27th, during the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis pointed out the meaning and spirit with which the Church was preparing to experience the coming day: “Holy Week,” Francis concluded, “is a time of grace that the Lord gives us to open the doors of our hearts, of our lives, of our parishes—so many closed parishes are a shame—of our movements and associations, to ‘go out’ and meet others, to draw near them and bring them the light and joy of our faith.” 1
This declaration found echoes throughout through out the world, however, for the commune of Puente Alto and the one hundred-fifty missionaries who decided to live Holy Week with it, the words of the Holy Father not only anticipated the emotions they felt, like a colorful message full of life that impelled the motto that marked everything they shared: “Rejoice, the Lord is with you.” (Lk.1:28)
Seminarians, youth, priests from eight countries
So, enthused by Francis, by the Year of Faith and for the fruits of the previous year, Mission Puente Alto 2013 departed on March 28th. Youths and seminarians from the Father Joseph Kentenich Major Seminary from eight different countries gathered and were sent from the Bellavista Shrine, and they divided into missionary communities. They stayed in three different places: The Altué Kindergarten, the Father Joseph Kentenich School, and San Carlos Chapel. This edition of the missions brought something new— a missionary family was integrated into each community, in other words, a father, a mother and children experienced Holy Week together in mission, bringing an atmosphere of home to each center.
Meanwhile the teachers from the Major Seminary joining the Mission with the desire of collaborating with the liturgical celebrations included: Father Felipe Ríos, the adviser of the first community, Father Manuel José and Father Raúl Espina were advisers for the second one, and Father Pablo Mullin was adviser for the third community. Unfortunately, the San Carlos Chapel is usually closed during Holy Week because there is no priest to take care of it, but the presence of a priest at the Missions made it possible to celebrate the Easter Triduum day by day, a gift for the local residents and for the missionaries. In this way, the first two communities gathered for the celebrations in the Chapel of the Lord of Mercy with Deacon Ricardo, who is charge of it, while the third community had its own celebrations.
Sign of humility and service
It was Holy Thursday and the two chapels were full. At the center of the Mass, Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples represented by a large amount of bread and grapes brought by the neighbors, and the washing of the feet, a sign of humility and service that the priest carried out again with the missionaries and the residents. Finally, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemene, the Blessed Sacrament was reposed in a place that was prepared while all the people kept vigil in prayer during the night. “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.” (Mt. 26:41). The missionaries were with Christ once more in Puente Alto and this was the cause of much joy for everyone. Good Friday began with much energy. In the morning, the first door to door visits were made: a conversation in the street here, that encounter with the people at the fair, an invitation to share a cup of tea there, and in a way the Lord was making himself present, just as he was present in the Annunciation and gave the Virgin joy. For this reason, each missionary couple is accompanied by the Pilgrim MTA and makes the effort of being His voice in the conversations and during moments of prayer. The towns from Puente Alta that were visited were: Carol Urzua, El Refugio, and San Carlos.
The joy of always wanting to be with the Lord
In the afternoon, some of the streets were transformed into the scene Jesus’ crucifixion, while they gazed at the missionaries who taught the Stations of the Cross. Vestments, songs and dialogues attracted the people to come out of their houses and to participate in the prayer, which ended in the chapels. Then without a rite or initial greeting, the impressive prostration of the priests began the liturgy of the Passion silencing the participants. The narrative of the Gospel and the adoration of the cross was a fundamental experience; there was no joy to be proclaimed without the personal encounter with the mystery of Jesus’ act of love. At the end of the silence and devotion in the communities, the Lord will return to be with the missionaries, but one had to prepare oneself for this joy.
Holy Saturday began with a cold and cloudy morning, but this did not stop the visits to the homes and blocks from continuing. In this way hoping that the missions would not simply be something in passing and during the visits, the missionaries gave small pictures of Mary to some Puente Alto families. Wherever Mary is present, the Lord is present; to welcome Her into your home expresses the desire of wanting to always be with the Lord.
During the afternoon, the three communities gathered in the Lord of Mercy Chapel to carry out different activities: workshops for the children, adults about the Rosary, restoring the garden, painting murals, a soccer competition and tea prepared for the entire community.
At the same time, a group of missionaries visited and took joy to a home for the elderly sharing a little about the expectation of the Resurrection of the Lord. After the activities, some missionaries presented a musical that transformed everyone into witnesses of Jesus’ love, recreating scenes from his life with much emotion.
Night was approaching and everyone went in procession toward Our Lady of Mercy Parish of Puente Alto. The time for the Easter Vigil arrived and the missionaries joined the entire parish community in the celebration where Pastor Father Alejandro Vial presided. There was great suspense in the square, until the lights were turned on and the Resurrection of Jesus was announced; then all the joy cultivated during the days of mission erupted into a celebration of clapping, shouting, with white balloons and songs. Christ had conquered death and the light of the candle radiated this joy!
Therefore after the celebration ended, the missionaries and the entire community of the Lord of Mercy Chapel took the Light of Christ through the streets of Puente Alto to the chapel. The entire procession was animated with songs, dances, prayers and jumping; it was about announcing the great joy that they carried within. When they arrived at their destination, there was another moment of commemoration, the candle was placed on a pedestal in front of the altar and the picture of the Lord of Mercy, that had been covered since Good Friday was finally uncovered.
“Hail favored one, the Lord is with you” (Lk. 1:28)
The leader of the Puente Alto Mission expressed that Easter Sunday was experienced with mixed feelings. On one side, the great joy of believing that the Lord is with the missionaries and the residents of Puente Alto who share this Easter together, and on the other side the pain of the farewell. The Resurrection Mass was held, chocolate eggs were given to the children, there were mutual expressions of gratitude and the blessing marked the end of the mission, but the farewell was extended to the square of the chapel with a large celebration of the missionaries. Just as they were lived, the days were very intense and tiring, but at the end everyone was very grateful and confident that being with Christ makes us happy. That is what the motto that motivated the mission expressed, which the missionaries continue to proclaim: “Hail favored one, the Lord is with you” (Lk. 1:28).
The missionaries wish everyone a Happy Easter!
1.Excerpt from the Pope’s First General Audience on March 27, 2013, V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service. www.vis.va
English translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, Texas
