The Boys’ Youth leaves its cast in the Shrine

Blessing of the Joseph Engling Stone in the Shrine of San Isidro, Argentina

Matías Clavijo  (izq), jefe de rama saliente, durante la celebración Matías Clavijo (left), leaving leader of the Branch, during the celebration Matías Clavijo (l.), scheidender Leiter der Mannesjugend, bei der Feier
P. Pablo Pol, bendición de la piedra Fr. Pablo Pol, blessing of the stone P. Pablo Pol segnet den Engling-Stein
Presentación de los candidatos a Jefe de Rama: Tomás Moyano, electo Jefe de Rama 2006 Presentation of the candidates: Tomás Moyano, elected as leader of the Branch for 2006 Vorstellung der Kandidaten: Tomás Moyano, gewählter Leiter der SMJ für 2006
Elección de Jefe de Rama en el Santuario de San Isidro Leader’s election in the San Isidro Shrine Wahl der Leiters im Heiligtum von San Isidro
Preparando el terreno de la Piedra: cortar arboles, cavar el pozo para los cimientos, colocar el cable para el farol... Preparing the land for the Stone: cutting trees, digging the hole for the foundation, installing the cable for the lighting... Harte Arbeit voher: Bäume fallen, Fundamente ausheben, Kabel verlegen für die Beleuchtung...
La JM podando las ramas del roble... The Boys’ Youth cutting the oak tree branches Auch an der großen Eiche müssen Äste weichen… Fotos: Clavijo © 2005 Albúm de fotos

ARGENTINA, Tute Clavijo. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception was truly a feast in the Shrine of San Isidro, especially for the Boys’ Youth. Beginning with a vigil on the eve of the eighth, adoration was held until 8:00 a.m. when the Holy Mass was celebrated. Another Mass followed at 11:30 a.m. with the Blessing of Children and there was an Illuminated Rosary at 6:30 p.m. All ended with the Mass at 8:00 p.m. and the Blessing of the Joseph Engling Stone.

After a whole year of work and striving, the Boys’ Youth from San Isidro left its cast of the Joseph Engling stone in the Shrine. This is the second symbol that the Boys’ Youth of San Isidro has conquered, the first one being the Blessed Mother’s crown, which was conquered by the National Boys’ Youth for the blessing of the Shrine in 1988.

During the whole year, they offered the Blessed Mother 1,000 hours of Adoration recalling Joseph Engling’s resolution to spend time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each day, and joined with the Year of the Eucharist, the World Youth Day ("We have come to Adore Him"), and Perpetual Adoration in the Shrine of San Isidro.

For each 10 minutes of adoration, a little stone was placed in the large acrylic structure, in the shape of the Stone.

Anecdotes about Joseph Engling via email

The motto that motivated us throughout the year was "Friend, I WILL GO FOR YOU, recalling Joseph’s time during the war when he says to a companion: "Comrade, I will go for you," and he offers to take the risky night patrol. It is Joseph’s attitude of comradeship, companionship, giving of self, and service that they want to imitate in order to become more united and strong as a Branch.

The preparation and striving intensified in the days before the December 8th, in the Boys’ Youth as well as in the family branches. This became a movement effort because once the construction of the Stone was started then other needs occurred like the preparation of the location, connecting the lamp, placing the plaque, planting flowers and bushes, a general cleaning the place, trimming the branches of the trees, etc. Anecdotes of the life of Joseph Engling began to circulate via email. A small replica of Father’s telephone, a phrase that Joseph Engling said, and a little stone were small souvenirs for the pilgrims of the Shrine. Joseph Engling’s phrases could be seen throughout all the Headquarters of the Movement, as well as on a poster inviting people to the blessing. Nine days before, they all prayed the Novena of Joseph Engling together, which everyone received it through email.

Heroic Night in Adoration

Then the day arrived. For the Boys’ Youth, it began on December 7^th with the Heroic Night in Adoration. The vigil ended at 8:00 a.m. with the first Mass of the day. There was a light rain when the 11:30 Mass began, followed by the Blessing of the Children. At 6:30 p.m., the Campaign invited everyone to the Illuminated Rosary, while all the preparations for the night were finished.

With confidence in the Blessed Mother, they risked having the Mass outdoors, in the shadow of the Shrine, because of the great number of faithful who would attend the Mass. At 8:00 p.m., the third Mass of the day began, presided by Father Pablo Poi, the Boys’ Youth Advisor.

With torches all around and little stones at his feet

When the Mass ended, they all went behind the Shrine where the Joseph Engling Stone is located. With four torches around the Stone, all of the Boys’ Youth gathered around it, followed closely by all the family. Father Pablo briefly explained the symbols of the Stone, Joseph’s life and all the striving that had been done during the year.

After listening to the reading of the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians, exhorting us to put on the New Man, all the members of the Boys’ Youth placed all the small stones that were conquered with Adoration at the foot of the Stone. The rite concluded with a prayer of blessing and the formal Blessing with Holy Water. Joy abounded as they sang and jumped to the "Prayer of Franz Reinisch".

Early election because of the leader’s departure for the Novitiate

However, this was not all for the Boys’ Youth. After the Blessing, they gathered for a Branch barbeque to celebrate the conquest, and to elect next year’s leader for the Branch.

Traditionally, the leader is elected at the beginning of the year, in March, but since the present leader is departing for the Novitiate of the Schoenstatt Fathers in February, they had to move up the date. Two candidates were presented: Sebastian Heitz; from the group, "Witnesses of Hope", and Tomas Moyano, from the group "Fire from the hand of the Father". After a very close election, Tomy Moyano was elected. He will be the Leader of the Branch for the year 2006.

December 8th was truly a great celebration for all the Family of San Isidro, but especially for the Boys’ Youth. It was a very beautiful and blessed end to the whole year of work.

The stream of the first sodalists

This year a very strong and special Joseph Engling stream surged in Argentina. The stone was blessed in 3 shrines: Villa Baluster in September (link), recently in San Isidro, and in Mar del Plata this Sunday, December18th, another Shrine (Mendoza) was conquered, in one more, the black crosses were conquered (La Plata) . In many Shrines, the stream of the first sodalists surged.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen/TX – Edition: Paul Jentz, Milwaukee/WI, USA