ARGENTINA, Melba Lopez. Corrientes celebrated the closing of the Year of the Eucharist on October 18^th. On that day, they received the gift of unity and in return, they joyfully offered their hearts in oneness . The Corrientes neighborhood of Apipe, a community that has had the MTA as a patroness for several years, gathered to celebrate the Blessed Mother’s day with a procession, the commissioning of new Pilgrim MTA’s, and prayers for life.

The consecration of the Apipe community to Our Lady of Schoenstatt dates back to the construction of a wayside shrine in the early 1990’s. Later, inflamed by the apostolic work that was developing, they decided to build a chapel. The construction of this chapel is still underway. The diocesan priest, Father Jose Billordo, who has been in charge of this project since 2004, showed a special openness to this mission when he learned about this title of the Blessed Mother and about Father Kentenich. At the same time, the Diocesan Council of the Schoenstatt Movement of Corrientes resolved to support the Apipe community that has taken the MTA as their patroness for this year.

Eve of the 18^th: pilgrimage of praise through the streets

With thoughtful consideration of these initiatives, Father Billordo organized a nine-day Novena called Marian Journeys. On one morning, almost 200 children from ages 7 to 12 years old, Schoenstatt Youth, and Catechists gathered for narratives and activities presenting the Blessed Mother and explaining the graces of the Schoenstatt Shrine. At the same time, the Mothers’ Branch offered a lively forum – a workshop for the mothers of the neighborhood children. The Schoenstatt youth shared and encouraged the neighborhood youth to go forward with a life of ideals, apostolic works, and covenant devotion. The Marian Journeys ended on Sunday. The Family Branch offered to the families of the Apipe neighborhood introductory information on Father Kentenich and they also hosted a workshop where pilgrims could learn more about the ideal of inner transformation and the heart shrine. As the Novena progressed, day-by-day, it was evident that hearts were uniting more and more. They experienced the loyalty of a Mother that molds and educates, that shelters and transforms without reserve. On the night of the 17^th, the eve of the Covenant Day, the neighbors of Apipe set out in a joyful march through the neighborhood streets singing songs of praise, holding torches high and shaking festive paper pom-poms. They celebrated the knowledge that they were children of the Blessed Mother. A hymn to "Mary of the Covenant" filled the dark, star covered skies. The pilgrims dispersed at midnight anxiously awaiting the new day.

Clearly, the crop that Father Billordo sowed with his daily talks about the Covenant, the Shrine, Father Kentenich, and other aspects of Schoenstatt produced fruits.

The clamor of sirens, applause and songs to greet the MTA

The 18^th began with the ringing of the bell at 6:00 a.m. –Lauds, Holy Mass, Baptisms, and the One Thousand Hail Marys. The Campaign has a natural leader in the person of Mirta Lencina, who clearly explained that October 18^th was also the national "Day of Prayer for Life" in the Schoenstatt Family of Argentina.

In the early hours of the morning, a candle was lit and its flame accompanied the long hours of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament until it was consumed in the wayside shrine later that day. The Adoration intention included all of the Respect for Life concerns.

During the afternoon, when the sun still caressed the greenery that surrounded the area of Apipe, they quickly started the formal procession: a group of horsemen led the procession that enthusiastically traveled through the streets of the neighborhood praying the Holy Rosary, meditating on the Mysteries. Everything was celebration and praise. There were missionaries with their Pilgrim MTA’s, the Auxiliary MTA, and the picture that originally led this community to consecrate itself to the Blessed Mother. The chapel, with brick walls could be seen in the distance and a solid wooden platform to hold the Auxiliary MTA, resplendent with white flowers, a somber blue curtain with white bands made the moment of departure more solemn. The neighbors made small altars on the paths of their houses to greet the Mother of God image as it traveled through the pathways and small roads.

Father Billordo was accompanied by priests and seminarians that like true knights of Mary guarded the image of the Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt. As she was carried on the platform, she was greeted with sirens, applause, and songs. The priests approached the altars on the paths and imparted a blessing to the families in the name of the Blessed Mother of Schoenstatt. Nightfall was nearing and the first lights were already on, but the enthusiasm was still mounting: let us walk with Mary.

As in other places, the spontaneous praises rang out

When the picture of the Blessed Mother entered the chapel, a rainfall of petals was scattered by the multitude. All of the petals, garlands, heart bouquets and other gifts of devotion were more than the small chapel could contain. It was a fantastic outpouring of love and caring.

Father Pablo Sanchez, Chancellor of the Archbishop, offered a homily that was full of meaning for the family, capturing the emotions of the preparatory days and those experienced throughout the procession: "we were a family of the Church walking under the guidance of Mary visiting the other families, that waited in their homes…We are a pilgrim people walking toward God the Father".

The offertory included contributions to the Capital of Grace from the Marian Journeys. The contributions were carried up by the families and placed in a heart shaped rosary that was made from rosebuds.

Everything touched and moved the people to discover God in so many signs and details. Everyone was present. And when the Pilgrim MTAs were presented to the new missionaries, enthusiastic voices of true zeal were heard. The priest would approach to commission a Pilgrim MTA with the phrase, "She is the Great Missionary", and a thunderous chorus replied time after time "she will work miracles!". This proclamation burst from their hearts, without anyone expecting it. The October 18^th festivities closed on a happy note, with feelings of closeness and unity.

Thank you Father Jose Billordo for being an instrument of solidarity in the hands of Mary of Schoenstatt.

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/Christi Jentz, Milwaukee, USA