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Guayaquil, Ecuador: Inicio de la peregrinación, 7 de mayo a la madrugada Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador: Beginn der Wallfahrt im Morgengrauen des 7. Mai |
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Juventud Femenina con la imagen grande de la Virgen Peregrina Girls’ Youth with the big image of the Pilgrim MTA Mädchenjugend mit dem großen Bild der Pilgernden Gottesmutter |
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Peregrinos, peregrinos... Pilgrims, pilgrims... Aus allen Pfarreien kamen die Pilger |
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Un mar de peregrinos alrededor del Santuario A sea of pilgrims around the Shrine Wohin man schaut: Pilger |
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Un mar de peregrinos alrededor del Santuario A sea of pilgrims around the Shrine Wohin man schaut: Pilger |
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Visita a la Mater en el Santuario Visiting the Blessed Mother in the Shrine Besuch bei Maria im Heiligtum Fotos: Santiago Pinto © 2005 |
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ECUADOR, Santiago Pinto. In Guayaquil it has been the custom for twenty-six years to celebrate Mother's Day with a pilgrimage to the Schoenstatt Shrine, culminating with a Holy Mass, which this year was celebrated by Monsignor Roberto Pazmino. More than 4,000 persons, from different parts of the city and even the country, attended this great demonstration of love for our beloved Blessed Mother.
The faithful from different parishes and apostolic groups go on pilgrimage to the Shrine from different parts of the city. The Schoenstatt Apostolic Youth also made a pilgrimage from the Church of the Alborada located about 5 kilometers from the Shrine. Some members of the Schoenstatt Boys' Youth were in charge of carrying the gigantic image of the Pilgrim MTA. People began to arrive at the point of departure at 4:30 a.m. and at 5:00 a.m. the pilgrimage which would take approximately an hour and forty-five minutes began, arriving at the Shrine just in time for the Holy Mass which began at 7:00 a.m.
A warm welcome
The Schoenstatt Family of Guayaquil had lovingly prepared to receive the pilgrims who arrived to pay homage to the Mother of Heaven. Each person who came received a song book and a prayer card that motivated the contributions to the Capital of Grace for the fulfillment of this great event.
"With Mary, let us adore him"
This was the motto for the pilgrimage this year. During the homily, Monsignor Pazmino stressed that "Mary was the first one to adore Jesus, she was the first believer, her great faith made her understand all the marvels that the Lord did in her, and for that reason we come to place ourselves in her hands to adore the Lord". Before the conclusion of the Holy Mass, approximately 40 young seminarians of Guayaquil approached the altar and with Monsignor Pazmino and the persons in attendance, a special adoration of the Sacramental Jesus was made. After the final blessing those in attendance made a long line and patiently waited their turn to enter the Shrine to greet Mary.
Translation: Celina M. Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA