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Los misioneros de Senegal con los periodistas The missionaries from Senegal with the journalists Die Missionare aus Senegal mit Journalisten |
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Encuentro con el Obispo de Dakar Meeting with the Bishop of Dakar Treffen mit dem Bischof von Dakar |
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Paul Mendy, primer schoenstattiano de Senegal Paul Mendy, first Schoenstatt member from Senegal Paul Mendy, der erste Schönstätter im Senegal |
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Presentación de la Campaña del Rosario de la Virgen Peregrina en radio Presentation of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign in radio Vorstellung der Kampagne der Pilgernden Gottesmutter im Radio Fotos: Mendy © 2004 |
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SENEGAL, mca. This story begins like a fairy-tale, and like such, it also has a happy ending that talks about mission, commitment, giving and courage.
In September 2000, the 50th Anniversary of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign was celebrated. This campaign was started by John Pozzobon, informally known as Don Joao. The nickname was given to him in 1983 by some Argentineans who were traveling for the first time to Santa Maria looking for 25 pilgrim MTA's to take to other Latin American countries – this was the starting point of the Campaign becoming international.
Jubilee Pilgrim MTA's for "new lands"
Of course, the celebration of this important anniversary took place in Santa Maria, Brazil, next to the Tabor Shrine. John Pozzobon was inspired by the Blessed Mother in this shrine, and he set out from there one day in 1950 to fulfil his great mission: to take the MTA picture to families’ homes and pray the holy rosary with them.
Several countries of the world participated in the 2000 Jubilee Encounter. Thirteen in total, and almost all of them were represented by National Directors and Assistant Sisters of the Dynamic Assistances, along with leaders of the Campaign and special guests.
At the end of three very fruitful days of exchange, testimonies, contact with historical places and reflection about the person and the mission of Mr. Pozzobon, the Brothers of Mary gave a previously accorded number of "jubilee" pilgrim MTA's to each participant country to take the to those countries where the Campaign has not yet started. This way, a pilgrim MTA from Uruguay took off for Turkey, another from Dominican Republic left for Haiti; one from Brazil went to East Timor, and one pilgrim MTA from Argentina left for Indonesia and another to Senegal.
Departure towards Senegal
We just received information from Senegal, where the Jubilee pilgrim MTA was taken by Helen Otero, a young girl from Cordoba. Helen went with "Punto Corazon" as a missionary for several months. From the beginning, it was a great adventure! During the first months, Helen rotated the pilgrim MTA among the missionaries, while she was attentively waiting for the "sign" leading her to whom the MTA would choose as missionary for Senegal.
Both Helen and the Argentinean Campaign followed this process with much prayer and contributions to the Capital of Grace. A short time before her return to Argentina, Helen finally chose a young man from Senegal, Paul Mendy who joyfully accepted the mission to take the MTA to wherever She would like to go…
There is no doubt the Blessed Mother knows how to choose her instruments, persons with a great giving capacity, dedication, warmth, prayer and commitment. Here once again the words pronounced by the Mother echoed through Father Kentenich on October 18th, 1914: "From here I will attract to me the young hearts, and I will educate them as suitable instruments in my hands".
Paul kept in constant touch with Helen with great loyalty –just as he does to this date – keeping her informed of the "advancements" and fruits of the work entrusted to him, as well as his needs. Among the most relevant needs was to find material about the Campaign and about Schoenstatt written in French, the official language there. Teams from Germany and Argentina began the search for it right away. They contacted Fr. Claudio Jeria, in Burundi, who gracefully forwarded the requested material. Currently they also receive material about the Campaign and Schoenstatt translated by Fr. Fleury, from Cambrai, France. This material is available in "Le Lien", a bimonthly magazine published by the Schoenstatt Movement of France. Joyfully they received the good news that Mr. Pozzobon’s biography "Hero today, not tomorrow", written by Fr. Esteban Uriburu is available in French. They anxiously await the first copy.
Five pilgrim MTA's more from Cordoba via Schoenstatt
One year after receiving the first Pilgrim MTA Paul Mendy requested five more pilgrim images. These were sent from Cordoba via Schoenstatt, Germany where a group of Professional Women added themselves to the initiative of the Jubilee pilgrim for Senegal.
Among the new volunteers who have joined this "Magnificence Campaign" in Senegal are: Adan Sambou, Alain Mendy, Franck Tchibassa and Louis Mendy. Currently some 400 people receive the visit of the Pilgrim Mother in Dakar, the Capital of Senegal.
The Rosary Campaign in the Radio and with the Bishop
Nowadays these loyal "hard workers of the Pilgrim MTA" want to share the success of their mission with everybody, through these pictures. This mission not only started Schoenstatt there, but also is growing and projecting itself more and more everyday, even in the Media and within the Church! Paul Mendy tells us they were called to a radio program to talk about mission.
"When it comes from God, one man alone can move the world", seemingly Mr. Pozzobon would say that from heaven, looking down with astonishing cheer to these decisive missionaries.
Dreaming big, like Fr. Esteban…
One day, when Senegal has a Shrine and a large family gathered around it, pondering their roots and origins - seeking a national mission, the name of the Shrine, the name under which they will crown the Mother Thrice Admirable –, looking back to its founding history, they will bring to light the testimony of a young man who without knowing Schoenstatt completely fell in love with the MTA, completely opening his heart to her and entirely committed himself to Her service …, a young man who without ever having been able to be in Schoenstatt, founded Schoenstatt in his West African land.
Thank you, Paul Mendy, Adam, Frank, Alain and Louis ...for your commitment!
Translation: Vera Gamez, Austin, TX, USA/Theresa Formosa, Australia