Posted On 2013-12-05 In Covenant solidarity

In Covenant solidarity…with Schoenstatt in La Plata

ARGENTINA, Fr. Javier Arteaga/aica/mda. On Friday night, November 22nd, Feast Day of Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr, several hundred faithful participated in a Holy Mass of Atonement, which was celebrated by Monsignor Nicolás Baisi, for the desecration of the statue of the Virgin Mary at the Schoenstatt Shrine located on Pope Francis Street (53) and 15th.

Before the final blessing, the current Archbishop of La Plata, Monsignor Héctor Aguer, addressed the participants, the majority of whom were members of the Schoenstatt Movement, with words of consolation while praying for the “conversion of those who committed the desecration.”

In the homily, Archbishop Baisi, who con-celebrated with many diocesan and Schoenstatt priests, referred to the first reading (from the book of Maccabees) saying that “like the Maccabees of the Greek desecration of the temple of Jerusalem, we have come to purify the Temple and we pray to the Lord that he have mercy for those who attacked his Mother, and that he give them the grace of conversion. We also pray for ourselves, so that we can purify ourselves again and again with a holy life.”

Then he commented on the Gospel of the day, on the passage where Jesus expelled the money changers from the Temple, the prelate warned that “Jesus’ whip is also a great warning. We always run the same risk of desecrating the Temple through our actions. Therefore, we should be vigilant and give the Lord true worship.”

Let us continue to work and to announce the Kingdom of the Lord

In his letter to the Schoenstatt Movement, Father Javier Arteaga, Director of the Movement writes:

Yesterday, with profound grief and sorrow, we received the news of the desecration of the statue of the Virgin Mary at the entrance of the garden at the Schoenstatt Shrine in La Plata.

Approximately a month ago, some crosses of the Stations of the Cross were removed and thrown on the path; at the same time they twisted the Virgin Mary’s crown. Weeks later they cut the hands of the statue of the Virgin at the entrance of the Shrine; yesterday they again broke the hands of the statue of Mary that had been repaired and they removed the little head.

We do not know who has perpetuated these reprehensible deeds and what motivated them to commit these acts, but they had a particular viciousness toward the little head and the hands of the Virgin, the tender hands of a mother, who takes care of us, cures us, and caresses our lives.

We are profoundly hurt by this violation to the Lord’s cross, and the statue of the Most Holy Virgin, Mother of God and our Mother. We are also hurt by the lack of respect toward all the believers who come to this Shrine every day motivated by their faith. It is not only a lack of respect and of violence against the Catholic community; but rather, it is also against all men and women of good will, who from the diversity of their beliefs work daily for peace and concord in our land.

Unfortunately, this is one more of the many acts of religious intolerance that has been perpetuated lately in our nation. There are many points of contention and of violence in many minds and hearts. But let us not lose the gift of peace that has always given the Church serenity and perseverance in the midst of sorrows. We pray the Our Father asking God the Father that he forgive our offenses as well as to forgive those who offend us. For this reason, there are three important things at this time:

  • let us pray for this brother/sister or these brothers/sisters so that the Good God will bless them with health of soul and for peace

  • let us pray for good, peace and justice which is so desired in our nation and in the world,

  • and let us continue to work and to announce the Kingdom of the Lord, united to Mary, fostering dialogue and fraternal solidarity and reconciliation; promoting the Covenant culture and of encounter, as Pope Francis asks.

Mary’s statue will be restored and it will continue to welcome us at the entrance of the garden, and the Shrine will continue to be open as a place of encounter to welcome all men and women who seek peace and the Lord’s goodness.

I send you cordial greetings and blessings from the Shrine of the Most Holy Virgin,

Father José Javier Arteaga


Original: Spanish – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio Texas

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