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Ermita en Concepción del Uruguay Wayside shrine in Concepción del Uruguay Bildstock in Concepción del Uruguay |
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Maria Adela Gestner con chicos Maria Adela Gestner with children Maria Adela Gestner mit Kindern |
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Rosario Iluminado en la ermita Illuminated Rosary at the wayside shrine Lichter-Rosenkranz am Bildstock Fotos: Lopez © 2005 |
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Maria Adela Gestner en Nuevo Schoenstatt Maria Adela Gestner in Nuevo Schoenstatt Maria Adela Gestner in Nuevo Schoenstatt Foto: Ríos © 2005 |
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ARGENTINA, MKF, The Blessed Mother is truly carrying out a Visitation in the interior of the Province of Entre Rios. From many small places she is giving shelter, transforming hearts, and she is sending for atl men to spread the Good News of God who is interested in each one and who uses the small, the humble, to build a new world. There are several places that have wayside shrines or chapels in honor of the Blessed Mother, as in the area of Pronunciamineto, in the rural areas of Urquiza, some 40 kilometers from Concepcion of Uruguay,where recently there was a pilgrimage from wayside shrine to wayside shrine…
It was a "small and tight knit group" that began from Concepcion del Uruguay, where Maria Adela Gestner along with her husband have been sowing the Schoenstatt seeds, going on pilgrimage to the National Shrine in Florecio Varela each year. Only two couples, with very young hearts and full of enthusiasm for their mission, spreading the Schoenstatt seed in a nearby town, of Pronunciamiento. The Boys’ Youth of La Plata, who go as missionaries to this town.. A pastor who is impressed by the enthusiasm he perceives in the youth .And a Mother who does not stop walking to do her favorite work, to awaken the Love for Christ: this is the history of Schoenstatt in Pronunciatmiento. An energetic and enthusiastic testimony of Maria Adela Gestner about the first wayside shrine to wayside shrine pilgrimage follows:
A bouquet of young men who have given their hearts to the Blessed Mother
"We left at 7:00 a.m. with a small group of 40 youth from the wayside shrine of our city to Pronunciamiento, 40 kilometers on foot in honor of the Blessed Mother. It was an exciting experience and full of enthusiasm with this bouquet of youth who have given their hearts to the Blessed Mother. Even during that night, the rosary could be heard as a soft murmur at daybreak and the small group was getting ready to start this first pilgrimage uniting the two wayside shrines.
After a brief prayer the walk began crossing the Irigoyen Boulevard unitl they reached Balbin Avenue to take the old road to San Justo until reaching route 14. A patrol car opened the way taking care of the boys who slowly, close knit, and happy, began this great adventure, with their hearts full of love for their Mother and Queen, accompanied by a small caravan of adults, all with one prayer in their hears: to arrive safely to their destination! Once at the crosswalk of the route, there was a crossing guard in position so that the boys, small in number, but great in love, could cross this dangerous place safely.
The day was radiant; although cold, the sun was strong and illuminating foretelling a beautiful journey, that previously it was thought that the pilgrimage would be cancelled because of bad and rainy weather. But no, it was a marvelous winter morning and nothing could hold back these boys who left from Pronunciatmiento at 5:00 a.m. in autos and buses towards Concepcion del Uruguay. Later we understood the MTA’s gift; the pilgrimage was not to be cancelled instead they were to go on their way without hesitation! When they crossed the highway unto a dirt road, their parents were waiting for them in their cars and trucks and then the march began.
Pilgrim church
All of a sudden the horizon was a dark gray almost black and the trees seemed to be fading, the sky was dark and the countryside took on the typical color of winter, low, black clouds predicted rain. But they did not pay attention, and between songs and prayers they progressed walking close together forming a compact group, all were one. So many things crossed our minds at that time..Sonia was in the truck along side of them recalling all the years of mission and it seemed like a dream to see the picture of the Blessed Mother advancing, sometimes on high, other times embraced by someone, but always in front of the group.
A pastor who is fascinated by the Movement because of the work of the boys
After two hours of walking there was rest stop. One of the fathers and Gustavo Gestner prepared breakfast for the boys, happily sitting on the ground, drinking coffee and cooked mate. They only stopped for a few minutes and then on the road again!
Then a strong, cold wind began to blow, the gray sky was now black, so black that before noon it seemed like late afternoon, and an intense drizzle began to fall, it was cold and persistent, but it did not stop the boys from walking, with the sound of songs and prayers they were gathering small black and white stones according to what they were offering as a contribution to the Capital of Grace, the stones were placed in a box.
During the trip, the pastor appeared several times in his auto and getting off he would applaud the boys, giving them strength to continue: Pilgrim Church on the Way to the Father!!!! He looked after them and was concerned about them all day, and he was fascinated with the Movement and the boys’ work within the parish.
And they continued in this manner until 1:30 p.m., when they arrived in San Justo where Father received with a big kettle of pasta in the parish and the bells rang to announce to the town that half of the trip had been accomplished. They ate and they quickly resumed their walk.
There was still 14 kilometers of walking and the rain was falling harder on the dirt road. Only the footprints marked the way, but the group went along singing and jumping, they seemed not to notice. To see them muddy and wet yet happy was a sure sign that the Blessed Mother was sustaining them and that nothing could stop them now. Some would get in the truck for a little while but only for a few seconds until the group passed them, then they would join them.
Jesus, exposed in the Blessed Sacrament, was awaiting their arrival
When they reached the wayside shrine that marks the crossroad, some 6 kilimeters from Pronunciamiento, other autos arrived with fathers and mothers who were joining them and they started walking with them in the intense rain. In this ways sons and parents, simple, authentic and happy, offered the Blessed Mother this first experience of love and loyalty.
At approximately 5:00p.m. we arrived at Pronunciamiento. In St. Joseph Church, the Blessed Sacrament along with a small group of persons awaited the boys. Again the bells united heaven and earth when they arrived, wet and muddy to leave their Capital of Grace at the Blessed Mother’s feet.
All around the wayside shrine there were songs and jumping, offered with so much love while the Unity Cross was being enthroned.
Then came the Mass, the Eucharist, the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament, and at the end there were some very touching words and everyone was crying with eternal gratitude for having offered this pilgrimage to the Blessed Mother so that She will always glorify herself at this place.
Translation: Celina M. Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA