The bishop’s crozier for the new bishop from Chillan

Rome, Schoenstatt, Chillan: Love of the Church

Ordenación Ordination Bischofsweihe
Cardenal Francisco Javier Errazuriz fue celebrante principal Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz was the main celebrant Kardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz nahm die Weihe vor
Un baculo que estuvo en el Santuario Original y en la tumba del Padre Kentenichs A crozier that had been in the Original Shrine and at the tomb of Father Kentenich Der Bischofsstab war im Urheiligtum und am Grab Pater Kentenichs
Obispos presentes Many bishops were present Viele Bischöfe waren da
Saludando a la gente Greetings the many faithful who had come Der Bischof grüßt die vielen Menschen, die zur Weihe gekommen waren Fotos: Puentes © 2006

CHILE, mkf. Love of the Church, very concrete, with a crozier for the new bishop taken from Rome via Schoenstatt to Chillan, loaded with prayers, capital of grace and unconditional loyalty: Selma Puente took the crozier of the new bishop from Chillan to the Original Shrine and to the tomb of Father Kentenich, feeling very happy and privileged with this task.

"I have very fond memories of the Schoenstatt land where our heart feels at home", she says. Along with her son, who spent several months in Europe as an exchange student, she traveled through Europe and visited Schoenstatt, bringing the crozier acquired in Rome in her luggage.

"We were very close to the outgoing bishop, Monsignor Alberto Jara Franco, when we were coordinators of the Schoenstatt Family in Chillan, during the Jubilee Year 2000", she shares. Monsignor Alberto Jara Franco stayed in Schoenstatt many times when he traveled in Europe. "We worked strongly with the diocese initiating different activities. From that moment on a strong attachment was created with the Bishop. He usually ate at our house and he spent Christmas with us".

The Bishop should have retired four years ago, when he reached the age that is obligatory

as stipulated by the Church, but his resignation was just accepted this year and his successor, Monsignor Carlos Pellegrini was named. He studied in the German school of Santiago, did his post graduate work in England, worked as a priest in Africa and then became rector of the School of Divine Word in Santiago until he named Bishop of the Diocese of Chillan.

Instrument of God for this mission

And now, the story about the crozier that arrived at Chillan via Schoenstatt. Selma Puente relates:

"Since the notification that a new bishop would take charge was made just one month ahead, there was no time to have a crozier made in Chile, which would be the gift of the Diocese for the new Bishop; for this reason it was decided to order one from Italy. But it would take too long if it was commissioned, so it was necessary for someone to go and fetch it…God used us as instruments and we were chosen for this mission". It was clear from the beginning that they would not miss the opportunity to take the crozier to the holy places of Schoenstatt, praying at each place for the new bishop, the Diocese of Chillan and the church of Chile.

In Chillan, the crozier was in the Home Shrine of Selma Puente and in the Shrine of Chillan, Mount Horeb, and then at the ordination of the new bishop, presided by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz.

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA