Nachrichten - News - Noticias
 published: 2005-12-13

They decided to give up their pilgrimage to Tuparenda…

The construction of the wayside shrine in Loreto, in the north of Paraguay

 

La ermita en Loreto, en el norte de Paraguay

The wayside shrine in Loreto, in northern Paraguay

Der Bildstock in Loreto, im Norden Paraguays

 

Peregrinos en Tuparenda

Pilgrims in Tuparenda

Pilger in Tuparenda

 

 
 

„Como la ermita en Tuparenda“

“Like the wayside shrine in Tuparenda”

“Wie der Bildstock in Tuparenda”

Fotos: Cabral © 2005

 
   

PARAGUAY, Mima and Juan Carlos Cardona. The Diocese of Conception dedicated a large wayside shrine to the Blessed Mother on December 10th, which is feast day of the Virgin of Loreta and the 213th year since of the founding of Loreto. The Bishop Zacarias Oritiz and Father Emiliano Fernandez concelebrated a solemn Mass. The Mass was followed by the procession of the Image of the Virgin of Loreto and the Pilgrim MTA around the square. A wonderful show of fireworks flanked the celebrations. Sister Georgina, who sang two songs and received much applause, was accompanied the delegation that came from Asuncion. More than 2, 000 pilgrims attended. Among them were missionaries from Concepcion and Pedro Juan Caballero. This is a concrete sign of the impact of Schoenstatt that is just beginning to have in the diocese and the fruit of the fervent apostolate of the Schoenstatters from Cuidad del Este and Asuncion.

This new wayside shrine has an impressive history. The Rosary Campaign was launched this year in Tuparenda on March 19th and Mima and Juan Carlos Cardona offered to work on the Team from the North, which covers the areas of Concepcion, Belen, Loreto, Horqueta and Pedro Juan Caballero. They related that the "Great Missionary" truly worked miracles in building a wayside shrine like the one at the entrance of Tuparenda, in a poor area in the north. They tell how the Blessed Mother arranged everything so that a wayside shrine would be erected in Loreto "like the one at the entrance of Tuparenda". Loreto is a small community located 20 Km. from Concepcion.

We made our first visit on April 30th, full of excitement and uncertainty. We stayed until May 3rd. We were surprised to hear that they wanted to build a wayside shrine for the Blessed Mother in Loreto. This meant that they would have to give up their annual pilgrimage to Tuparenda on October 18th, since it was impossible for them to do both things because of their economic situation. The Pastor, Father Emiliano R. Fernandez, asked that the wayside shrine be the same size as the one at the entrance of Tuparenda, or else he did not want it. His desire was that people passing would see it and say, "There is the Blessed Mother with her Son". There were great challenges and a heightened commitment for us.

A comment made in jest

Upon returning to Asuncion we talked about how we could help them to realize this great and beautiful desire. It was then that we felt an inspiration that told us, "Portal of the Trinity, Garden of the Father- Ciudad del Este". Yes, we were confident that our sisters and brothers in the Covenant would help us with this."

Julio Duarte, Leader of the Family Branch, commented in jest that he wanted to receive similar recognition as that given during the Holy Mass on May 8th celebrated, in Cuidad del Este. It was there that Magdalena and Luis Martinez presented the picture of the Blessed Mother for the Oratory of Saltos of Guaira. We found the open door! Julio would be an instrument in the hands of the Blessed Mother. We asked Father Emiliano to write a letter to the Family of Cuidad del Este asking for spiritual and material collaboration for the construction and donation of the picture of the Blessed Mother that would be painted on ceramic tiles.

During the Holy Mass celebrated on the cold night of July 18th in the Homeland, Mima asked Luis Martinez to read the letter sent from Loreto. Luis stressed that the Schoenstatt Movement from Cuidad del Este was transforming itself into a "Fountain of Grace". This branch is materially and spiritually supporting Caaguazu, Saltos del Guaira and now they have received a request from the far north, from Loreto. The warm response from the Family was immediate and in a few minutes, 685,500 guaranties of support were collected. That amount surpassed the cost of the picture of the Blessed Mother.

A throne of grace in Loreto

On August 13th, we traveled north taking the image of the Blessed Mother painted on tiles. Father Emiliano had announced in the Holy Mass on July 24th that the picture of the "Blessed Mother with her Son" was already a reality and he asked all the community to continue praying and supporting the Pilgrim MTAs.

We witnessed the hand of the Blessed Mother in these three events: 1) our designation as assessors of the team in the North, 2) Julio Duarte’s jesting, and 3) the testimony of Luis Martinez. It was the wish of the Blessed Mother to make her "Throne of Grace" evident and she was the one who desired to give her gifts and blessings to this community.

Our joy is immense and with love, we say, "Thank you for everything Mother, Thank you for allowing us to be instruments in your hands, Thank you for our sisters and brothers from Ciudad del Este, Thank you for everything".

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


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