org. As part of the jubilee celebrations for the 31st of May 1999, the International Boys’ Youth held a meeting – Youthful Pentecost – in Bellavista, Chile. The pre-programme included a pilgrimage on foot from the shrine in Mendoza (Argentina), over the Andes along the Christ the Redeemer Pass. The pilgrimage was a symbolic gesture expressing the meaning and enormity of the 50th anniversary of this important milestone, and to do this in the typical style of the Boys’ Youth! This pilgrimage has now become a regular feature in the calendar of the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth in Chile, Argentina, the countries of Latin America and beyond!
Towards Christ the Redeemer
It was a celebration marking 50 years of a crusade of organic thinking, loving and living in daily life, like and with Mary; a challenge to take Mary into all corners of life and society, so that she – in the Covenant of Love – can lead all people to Christ.
The symbolic expression of this was the sign of the Cross with Mary, on pilgrimage from one Marian shrine to another to Christ the Redeemer at the summit who looks over Argentina and Chile, blessing both countries.
Following in the Footsteps of the Liberation Army
This is the same path followed by the Liberation Army one and a half centuries ago under Bernardo O’Higgins and San Martin. This is how the story of independence of Argentina and Chile began. Before leaving Mendoza, they consecrated themselves to the Virgin of Carmen and at the place where they were victorious, they built the enormous shrine in Maipú. Mary’s Crusade is not a liberation struggle, but a battle against all those things that distance us from God and prevent us from experiencing his salvation and proximity and a life in a Covenant of Love with Him. It is not about transporting cannons but about changing hearts, which are ready to give themselves entirely so that Mary can reign among her people. The Marian shrines are a permanent invitation of this.
A crusade in the name of Mary
The Boys’ Youth set out, leaving behind everything that is superfluous and even those things that are necessary to face great obstacles and to reach the summit, from one shrine to the next. They celebrated a crusade that began 50 years ago and to which we all belong. The Cross of the Andes is a symbol of this pilgrimage in Mary’s name, and this is why it is called “Mary’s Crusade.”
Mary’s Crusade…on the way
The motto: “Mary’s Crusade…on the Way” guides each day of the pilgrimage. Mary’s Crusade is also inspired by Mario Hiriart, who embodied the aim of this great pilgrimage in an exemplary manner and who dreamed of the unity of nations in the shrine: “we will build a shrine in the Andes, as symbol of unity of our people and hearts, and of the victory that the MTA will obtain by means of her instruments.” The pilgrim’s staff that leads the Crusade is a replica of the cross on Mario Hiriart’s grave, as a symbol that they are following in his footsteps and draw on his help.
The pilgrims travel about 400km in 16 days. The most recent pilgrimage drew 120 pilgrims. Mary’s Crusade brings together the youth of several countries: Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico and Ecuador, among others. During this time they travel under Mary’s flag. It is without doubt a demonstration of what can be achieved, and how life’s obstacles can be overcome, simply by staying the path and keeping sight of the horizon. In his book, Javier Lascano (a three-time participant of Mary’s Crusade) describes it as the madness of love and it is precisely this, a declaration of love for God and the Blessed Mother.
Mary’s Crusade took place in 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2012. Another Cruzade is planned for January 2014, as contribution of the Missionary Generation to the Jubilee of the Covenant of Love, “in order to celebrate as International Men’s Youth the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Movement. We want to renew ourselves in the spirit of the hero sodalists and foundes and, re-assuming the four pillars of the International Men’s Youth, carry Schoenstatt into the next 100 years.”
Information:
Cruzada de María 2014
cruzadademaria2014@gmail.com
Video: Cruzada de María 2014
Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Cape Town, South Africa
