INDIA, Eduardo and Rosa Aymerich. Our life here is marked by a constant, of never knowing what could happen tomorrow or what God is preparing around the corner. That is why when we are asked, "What exactly do you do?" it is not always easy to respond. We live each day looking for open doors, responding to whatever the Blessed Mother wants to send us. Every time a family invites us to their house, we are there. Wherever there is a young person or a group of children that are interested in the Schoenstatt Shrine we will be there.

Our main task is to create attachments and for that reason it doesn’t matter if we have to make the sacrifice of exposing our stomachs to dinners abundant with spices and curry, or long bus trips on streets of Bangalore that are partly paved with asphalt. Once an attachment is created with a group of families or youth, it is easier to propose forming a Schoenstatt group. Part of our energy is also spent working to organize some activities that will attract people to the Shrine and from there form attachments to transmit the Schoenstatt spirituality.

A Shrine without pews, surrounded by palm trees and flowers

The Mission often becomes difficult. The shower with cold water, the chaotic and crazy traffic, the scarcity of running water, the filth, etc., are common inconveniences. It is harder to bear when one firm step forward is taken, but then there are three that go backward. It is hard to bear the loneliness that accompanies us strongly and with insistence, the "failures" and there are many questions we could ask about continuing our mission. Above all in regard to its fruits, we will be giving our all or we will remain in a mediocre giving of self.

Of course the Blessed Mother does not leave our side. Mary strongly calls us daily to the Shrine, a shrine without pews, surrounded by palm trees and flowers and from there she always answers each question. She directs our gaze to her Son on the cross and she shows us Jesus Christ who is a "failure" in the eyes of humans, with only her company, but glorious in the light of faith. This is when we clearly see how the mission has a dimension that goes much further; a dimension which also includes an internal mission.

With eyes and ears open to each opportunity which presents itself

This time offers us a type of education, not only personal, but also as a couple. Spending so much time together is an opportunity to know each other better and to educate one another. It is a road with thorns because education hurts, above all when there is so much to improve, but it is also a wonderful and fundamental time because we will soon be parents. What a treasure it is to be able to prepare ourselves to be parents in this way! Together, we share regular occurrences: each kick of our baby, each backache, each difficulty, each feeling of helplessness, each joy, each sacrifice, and each anecdote.

Our mission continues with eyes and ears open to every opportunity that comes and to take the Schoenstatt spirituality to more and more people, with hearts full of illusions and challenges, full of love for each aspect of this Mission in India.

Surely at the end of our mission there will not be great numbers around the Shrine, nor well formed branches and perhaps we will not accomplish anything tangible. What we are sure about is that an intense Capital of Grace will remain in this land and perhaps a small testimony. It is not for us to judge this: "She is the great missionary, She will work miracles". We give and She disposes, Mary is the Queen, She can do anything.

"Accept that we proclaim you Queen of the Universe, inflame us in a burning love for you, and let us inflame the whole world at your service, so that all the people will find the sure way Heavenwards. Your holy heart is a refuge of peace for the world, the sign of election and the portal to heaven".

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