ARGENTINA, Liliana Barba. For sixteen years, just as every year, the youths were there very early to organize the start of the walk. This time they had more resources, and also much more effort. A greater expectation in the number of pilgrims was joined to the challenge of walking twice the usual stretch for this unforgettable journey. At the end of the road, the fruit that had been dreamed for many years… a Homeland for the Blessed Mother! Finally, the Throne of our Mother Thrice Admirable Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt will be erected in San Luis for the greater glory of God and of the Most Holy Trinity.
Several official agencies, private and particular institutions accompanied the initiative with material and spiritual resources. The entire Schoenstatt Family worked very hard for this important celebration of the Blessed Mother! 5,000 pilgrims’ medals made by hand; men, women and children gathered around a table with mates (herbal tea) and joy in preparing a sign to offer our mother– 5,000 willing hearts.
Five thousand nougats…
Of course they also had to be fed! 5,000 nougats made in the Diocesan Caritas dining hall, the Social Inclusion workshop of the provincial government sewed 5,000 backpacks; providing the walkers a place to keep all their necessities. 5,000 of each thing that would be offered to our pilgrims represented a new challenge, but also a new offering to the Capital of Grace…and in trusting her, everything was provided that was necessary for the great day.
From the beginning of the Jubilee year, everything was prepared. Our Mother guided us even to her little piece of heaven in San Luis. There we gathered signatures among all the neighbors requesting for the governor to donate the land. There were papers, transactions, calls, and meetings, until finally in this blessed month of October, the donation decree was signed.
Walking with Mary
The journey was threatened by oppressive heat, and near noon, a threatening shower did not stop our thousands of youths from walking with Mary, praying, singing, and carrying peace.
Rosaries, songs, and cheers for our Mother Thrice Admirable, for the Holy Father leader of our Church and to Jesus Christ Our Lord, crowned the motto of “Bearers of Peace With Mary” chosen by the youths for this unforgettable Marian Youth Walk that will remain etched in the hearts of the youths, the families and the entire Church of San Luis.
Holy Mass with the Bishop of San Luis
Upon the arrival to the homeland on a fantastic afternoon, hundreds of families waited for our youths in front of an imposing altar, erected to the right of the future Shrine.
Our Mother gave us an additional grace: San Luis Bishop, Pedro Martinez, celebrated the Mass and he addressed special words to our youths and Our Mother.
After Mass in the midst of the participants’ applause and touched by his gesture, our priests expressed gratitude for his words.
Donation of the land
After the Eucharistic celebration, the Official Donation of the Land Ceremony took place. The Governor and the Bishop along with the youths of different religions planted a cypress as a sign of Peace. Then the Governor of the Province of San Luis, Claudio Poggi, signed the donation of the land decree. During which, a briefly narrated video made especially for this afternoon commitment about our Father and Founder and how Schoenstatt’s one hundred years came about was shown. The youths presented this and everything about the next 100 years and the initially thought architectural project that was to build in Our Mother’s place.
Father Alan Sosa expressed gratitude to the authorities, who were present and for the entire accompaniment offered in this first stage, and he encouraged them to continue to support us in the second stage: “Project and building of the Schoenstatt Marian Center in San Luis.” The emotional applause and cheers ended this incredible moment.
Francis 2016. San Luis awaits you
And when everything seemed complete with dreams fulfilled, and that we only had to reflect upon this year’s joint work… a poster was raised from among the multitudes illuminating the road to asking for a very special grace for this future Shrine: “Francis 2016: San Luis awaits you”…and this is what we dream about in the San Luis Schoenstatt Family: “That our Holy Father will give us the grace of visiting this Throne of Our Mother when he comes to Argentina in 2016”…
Editor`s note: Soon after the edition of the original article in Spanish, it was made public that Pope Francis will not visit Argentina in 2016.
Original: Spanish – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
