CRUZADA DE MARÍA, Fr. José María Iturerría/mda. On 18 October, the first covenant day of 2014, the first photographs and greetings from Cruzada de Maria [Mary’s Crusasde] 2014 arrived. “The ceramic image of the Blessed Mother, which we will place at the wayside shrine, is heading the pilgrimage together with the Mario Hiriart Cross and the Fackellauf torch, which was solemnly lit during the sending out Mass at the shrine in Mendoza,” Fr. José María Ituerrería sent via smartphone. They are also carrying the contributions to the capital of grace, the thanks and selflessness, repentance and desire of hundreds of Schoenstatt members in 15 countries…
“This year — 2014 — we are not going alone: we take the entire movement, the International Boys’ Youth and each of our countries and branches with us on this “spiritual marathon” spanning 400km across the Andes. We are representatives and emissaries because we carry the life of these 100 years of the history of the Movement in our ‘backpacks’ and because we dream of being active participants for the next 100 years of a Schoenstatt that is a gift to the Church and the world. And we feel that we not alone, because we are supported by the prayers and contributions to the Capital of Grace of many Schoenstatt members all over the world who will follow our progress via the communication channels.
“We take with us a symbol that unites us to the Boys’ Youth all over the world: the “Fackellauf” torch which symbolizes the light of faith and the covenant of love which wants to continue shining in the future. This same torch that is crossing the Andes will travel from Pompeii to Schoenstatt in October 2014.” These are the words in the booklet that the 150 boys, seminarians and priests received at the start of the Cruzada de Maria on 16 January at the shrine in Mendoza, Argentina.
“On the Way”
On 17 January, the pilgrims arrived in Potrerillos. “Two days of heavy walking covering some 55km. The Crusaders are in high spirits, but tired after a demanding day of walking. We helped one another with the practical tasks, such as cooking and cleaning. The “walk leaders” set the pace and worked out the stops to collect water and gather energy. At the cry of ‘Cruzada de Maria’ everyone answers with a loud ‘on the way!’ and we continue our journey,” they tell us.
Each country brought a stone with the country’s name engraved on it, which the pilgrims take turns to carry as they walk. These are the intentions of our Boys’ Youth and all who accompany us with their prayers from every part of the world.
The Cruzada is always an adventure!
“Today, 18 January, we woke up at 4.30 to the rain. We put everything into the hands of the Blessed Mother and started walking anyway. Last night we shared “live” music from different countries under the rain. The Brazilians with their characteristic joy had everyone clapping and singing.
The weather is gradually improving, thank heavens. We hope to arrive at Cerro Negro with good weather because we will be sleeping out in the open. Otherwise we will try to stop in an old train tunnel. The Cruzada is always an adventure,” wrote Fr. José María Ituerrería on 18 January in the morning.
In covenant solidarity
The Cruzada logo will be on the altar at the shrine “belonging to all of us” in Belmonte, Rome for the duration of the pilgrimage and in the jar of the Original Shrine, together with the Cruzada prayer. Many of those who made contributions and prayed for the wayside shrine and the arrival of the torch cannot stop talking about the Cruzada de Maria, spreading the news…
Hundreds of people are walking spiritually with the 150 pilgrims, during this jubilee pilgrimage — a pilgrimage that is so special, so arduous, so joyful and so missionary.
“The Cruzada de Maria does not make any sense unless it is viewed in the light of the history of the Blessed Mother’s covenant with each one of us, her beloved children, her beloved Boys’ Youth. It is not a “sporting event” or a “personal endurance challenge.” The Cruzada de Maria is spiritual pilgrimage for those who have a special love for the MTA and are prepared to engage in the ‘madness of love,'” according to a letter written by Fr. Claudio Martinez and Fr. José María Iturrería. It is for the “shameless,” who believe that they can change the world, move mountains and create a covenant culture in every aspect of life simply by loving…and they really do this.
And truly, they are being accompanied by pilgrims who are no less mad than they are: “may all my anguish and suffering I am experiencing as a result of a very difficult situation become offerings to the capital of grace!!! And I offer this for these guys and their families and the entire Schoenstatt Family!”
Someone else wrote: “I would have loved to join you on this pilgrimage that you are about to start!!! What a blessing to walk 400km for the Blessed Mother. I will accompany you in each step of your journey with my prayers, my daily work and the strength of our Covenant. United in our dear Mother’s heart and our dear Fr. Kentenich we will fill the world with love and peace!!!”
And another: “I have been a Schoenstatt member for 40 years and I made my Inscriptio on 11 January 2010, I give Mother all my fears in relation to my illness (cancer) as contributions to the capital of grace for the wayside shrine.”
And they really do.
Photo album
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| January 18, 2014 Cruzada de María 2014 |
Original: Spanish – Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa
