Have a good trip to the Pentecost of the Movements!

Argentina and Uruguay depart on pilgrimage to Rome

Familiares acompañan una participante ... y su Peregrina Relatives accompanied a participant... and her Pilgrim MTA Angehörige begleiteten eine Teilnehmerin... und ihre Pilgernde Gottesmutter
Saliendo con una o dos Peregrinas... Leaving with one or two Pilgrim MTA’s Aufbruch mit ein oder zwei Peregrinas
Durante la Santa Misa During the Holy Mass Während der Heiligen Messe
Peregrinas y más peregrinas... Pilgrim MTA’s and more Pilgrims MTA’s... Die Pilgernde Gottesmutter ist dabei
Predica Sermon Predigt
Placa recordaria Memory plaque Plakette, die an den Besuch von Johannes Paul II erinnert Fotos: Crivelli © 2006

ROME ’06, mfk. Radiant with joy and with expectant hearts 40 participants of the Pilgrimage to Rome and Schoenstatt departed, led by Father Guillermo Mario Cassone and composed of a delegation from Argentina and Uruguay, strongly united at a key moment in the history of both countries; affected by a crisis caused by the installation of paper factories in Uruguay. It is a unity that manifests the friendship and the fraternity that unites the brothers "from both shores", a unity that goes beyond the minor squabbles and political and economical differences.

For example, the five Uruguayan Schoenstatt pilgrims, who prepared the Holy Mass before the departure at the airport chapel, were unable to attend because they were in transit, "on the other side of the bridge" –none of those mentioned so frequently in the recent news for roadblocks, but the "air bridge" from Montevideo to Buenos Aires, but they joyfully offered this sacrifice to the capital of grace for the success of the pilgrimage.

Cardinal Bergoglio was among the priests and religious, and - a good scare…

The Ezeiza Airport, was bustling with priests and religious, like never before, ready to begin a trip, surely with Rome as the destination to also participate in Pentecost of the Movements convoked by the Holy Father Benedict XVI. (It caused panic in some when they saw Father Pedro Kuhlcke in the midst of the multitude…"Bang", many thought, "they are taking him away from us again". Fortunately, it was not that way; he was only there to welcome Father Heribert King, who is visiting).

Suddenly, there was an uproar, which had nothing to do with the Holy Spirit; rather, it was the news that Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio would travel on the same flight as the pilgrimage. How lucky for the Cardinal, who will surely be "accosted" by the pilgrims throughout the flight! Since some were already planning to greet him, even if they had to take on the first class section…the presence of Monsignor Bergoglio, who has an outstanding presence in the life of Argentina and of the Church, allowed everyone to be clothed with the ecclesial spirit that the Holy Spirit infuses beginning at this moment.

Father Guillermo Mario made reference to this Pentecost in the Mass that was concelebrated in the Chapel of the airport. There are two bronze plaques at the entrance of the chapel and one on the base of the statue of the Blessed Mother of Loreto is a reminder of the presence of His Holiness John Paul II in this place, during his two visits to the country.

Always loyal, the Pilgrim MTA travels everywhere with her missionaries

One by one the "travelers" placed their Pilgrim MTA’s at the foot of the altar – including the Pilgrim MTA that visits several airline companies in Ezeiza – while, from the altar, "the Pope’s" Pilgrim MTA contemplated her beloved ones and the loyal missionaries, who always take her everywhere with them! The Pilgrim MTA for the Pope is a new initiative that emerged in Argentina, with the desire of presenting it to Benedict XVI with a picture especially prepared for him: The frame is from a sample Pilgrim MTA that Father Esteban Uriburu had in his bedroom, it has a picture of the MTA that was blessed in Santa Maria, and on the back there is a photocopy of the text that was on John Pozzobon’s Pilgrim MTA,s, and it has a rosette from Argentina.

The promoters of this initiative, happily, showed the Pilgrim MTA to everyone telling them that it is for the Holy Father; they are already convinced that they will be able to present it to him, or rather, as one of them boldly expressed, when someone suggested that Cardinal Bergoglio take it: "we will personally present it to the Pope in a private audience, even if no coffee is served". "A Mae ja arrumou" (The Blessed Mother has already taken care of it) as John Pozzobon was accustomed to say before any uncertainty, and these determined missionaries are encouraged by the same spirit of confidence.

"May you have a good time"!

At this time it is not certain if they will accomplish their goal, but there is no doubt that the Campaign will be present in the Pentecost of the Movements, through the Third Auxiliary which will preside at the Vigil on Friday, June 2nd, at Saint Andrea del Valle and with several placards with pictures of the MTA and John Pozzobon that will greet, from on high, the Holy Father and all the pilgrims at the Mass of Pentecost Sunday at St. Peter’s Square. The Auxiliary will leave for Rome on the morning of May 30^th, on one of the buses that will depart from Schoenstatt, arriving on May 31^st…

And now it was the time for farewells. With hand luggage full of Pilgrim MTA’s and letters to Father, they embarked towards Rome and Schoenstatt where they will personally present Father with the thousands of letters that were sent to him, from the many people who are eager to be at his side even if it is only through a handwritten letter. How many desires, petitions and expressions of gratitude are contained in these short notes. Just like the message from a student from one of the schools in Pehuagjo, of which Susana Hernandez is the principal: "may you have a good time with Susana"!

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA