A great challenge facing the future

Commissioning of Pilgrim MTA’s and missionaries in Holy Redeemer Parish

Entrega de imagenes peregrinas en la parroquia Smo. Redentor en Buenos Aires Commissioning of PIlgrim MTA’s at Holy Redeemer’s, Buenos Aires Überreichung von Bildern der Pilgernden Gottesmutter in der Erlöseer-Pfarrei Buenos Aires
Mercedes MacDonough, responsable del equipo de la Campaña en el centro Mercedes MacDonough, leader of the Campaign team in the Center Mercedes MacDonough, Verantwortliche des Teams der Kampagne in Buenos Aires-Zentrum
Durante la Misa During Mass Während der Messe
Se entregaron 5 imágenes, en medio de la Misa de todos los días Five Pilgrim MTA’s were given to their missionaries, during the parish Mass Fünf Bilder der Pilgernden Gottesmutter wurden während der Abendmesse der Pfarrei überreicht
Ella es la Gran Misionera... She is the great Missionary Sie ist der große Missionar...
La hija de una misionera de la primera hora, recibiendo la peregrina en lugar de ella The daughter of one of the missionaries of the beginnings, who recieved the Pilgrim MTA for her Die elfjährige Tochter einer Missionarin der ersten Stunde, die an Stelle ihrer erkrankten Mutter die Pilgernde Gottesmutter übernahm Fotos: Crivelli © 2005

ARGENTINA, cpw. A very important celebration for the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign and for the Church of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires was held last Thursday, June 30^th, at Holy Redeemer Parish. To understand its importance we must know the history…

In the city of Buenos Aires, all the missionaries, and they are numerous, who belong to the central zone – where the Holy Redeemer Parish is located – have had difficulty in meeting and they did not come to the Confidentia Center, the seat of the Movement, where the City Shrine is located. At the same time, a lay person who is very involved with the Campaign, who participates in the Parish Council of the parish, was moved by the conviction that the fruitfulness of the Campaign would be empowered if it became a vital part of the parish with the charisma it has to offer. He began a continuous dialogue with the Pastor, Edgardo Fitolite – who was designated dean of his respective deanery – and with the members of the Parish Council to accomplish this goal.

This dialogue and exchange was very enriching, In the first place, it gathered a nucleus of parishioners and missionaries of the Campaign who belong to this parish, who formerly met at Confidentia. He explained the importance of carrying out this apostolate with the consciousness of belonging to the church and parish, inserting, its charisma into the pastoral objectives that Archbishop, Cardinal Jorge Bergogilio and the bishops of Buenos Aires are promoting.

"A pilot program"

Little by little he began to consolidate a group that began to meet monthly. Some new persons also became interested in becoming missionaries. At the same time, the new presence of Schoenstatt in the Parish, caused some comments among the parishioners who did not understand and who were mistrustful and feared that Schoenstatt would take away some of the "committed people". This situation gave the Pastor the opportunity to explain and to give a simple catequesis during the pastoral meeting. He could explain how the presence of the different charismas of the diverse movements enriched the parish. As a result of this, each group and Movement was invited to be present on the church grounds after the weekend Masses to explain their charisma, their activity in the parish and to respond to any questions from the people. This experience and restlessness, which emerged from Schoenstatt, has made it possible to develop a "pilot program" from our parish at the service of the Church of the Archdiocese.

Fruits and organic results

On June 30^th a very solemn and festive celebration was held in the parish, as a fruit and organic result of this process and work. On the occasion of the commissioning of the Pilgrim MTA’s and the apostolic sending forth of the missionaries, Father Edgardo suggested that there be organ music and hymns that were sung by a soloist, and he also received the Auxiliary Shrine in a very natural manner and (which he placed on a small table by the altar, with a lighted candle). The Vicar of the Parish, Father Martin Garcia, celebrated the Mass and the pastor concelebrated. At the beginning of the Mass and also during the homily, the priest mentioned the commissioning ceremony and the importance of the Movements in the parish. After the homily, the pastor presided over the commissioning ceremony, and he also referred to the Movements and their charismas in the parish and he asked that they be given a warm welcome. He also stressed that in this case the work of the missionaries of taking the Pilgrim MTA Shrines into the neighborhood was of great importance. The missionaries went forward carrying their Pilgrim MTA and together they recited the prayer to renew their commitment. Then the pastor commissioned the new missionaries. All of this took place in an atmosphere of warmth and great emotion. Among the new missionaries there was a very pious, handicapped woman with a great spirit of service, an eleven year old girl who impressed everyone with her fervor and devotion, who received the Pilgrim MTA for her mother who was ill, a young university girl, and two ladies who have participated in parish activities for many years. All the new missionaries have sealed their Covenant of Love, and the desire to assume this mission is a fruit of that consecration. Some of the missionaries, who renewed their commitment, were accompanied by their relatives, who wanted to share in this special moment.

The struggle is worthwhile

It was a very enriching experience for the parish community. It was something new that is truly a response to the mission of the 31^st of May, of giving Schoenstatt to the Church and at the same time forging families for the Church, breaking the mechanistic structures that divide, weaken and diminish apostolic zeal. When God manifests himself concretely in strong experiences, the struggle is worthwhile, hope, do not give up, and challenge the future with the certainty that in the strength of the Covenant of Love, life enkindles life, and what began in one parish can be extended to others.

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA