CHILE, Sandra Rolleri •
A special retreat with migrants! Recently the Montahue Family gave a great gift to the Blessed Mother and our Fr. Kentenich, who we want not only to know more fully but also to emulate his charism with our whole being and through our actions. With this activity, we wanted to make Pope Francis’ call a reality as he has asked us to generate and strengthen the attachments to our migrant brothers and sisters, upon promoting a fraternal encounter of respect and solidarity.—
Through contacts with the Migrant Ministry of the Archdiocese, the Concepción Migrant House of Welcome and with the Organization of Venezuelans from the Bio-Bio area, a retreat was organized around the Shrine, which began with the Eucharist.
Migrants from Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru
Approximately 187 people arrived in three buses, in addition to a great number of children. They were from Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. From the beginning, they were welcomed and invited to know the shrine, where our spirituality, the graces of the shrine, and some of the history of the Movement in Concepción was explained. Obviously an open invitation was extended so that they will return to visit. After celebrating the Eucharist, values of welcome, protection, and the promotion and integration of migrant brothers/sisters, thereby overcoming discrimination and racism with the guarantee of respect for their rights and their dignity were stated.
Finally there was a friendly time of sharing that was very beautiful, orderly, and many details showed how this encounter had been carefully prepared with great dedication and love. We saw the happiness and satisfaction on their faces, as every family was given personal warm clothing and bed linens, all kinds of household goods, even beds, strollers, etc.
Our greatest gratification was proving that “there is more joy in giving than receiving.”
Source: Magazine “Vinculo”, Chile
Original: Spanish. 12 August 2018. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX 78212. Edited: Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, TX USA
