From the mini to the maxi jubilee

October 18 - the great jubilee of the Shrine in Tuparenda

Entrada de  la imagen de una gran Peregrina, que representa el amor inmenso a la  Madre a través de la Campaña del Rosario A huge Pilgrim MTA is carried in the entrance procession, expression of the fervent love for the MTA that is spread by the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign Einzug der Pilgernden Gottesmutter, Ausdruck der großen, personalen Liebe zur Gottesmutter von Schönstatt, die die Kampagne der Pilgernden Gottesmutter im ganzen Land verbreitet
Unos 50.000 peregrinos estuvieron presentes Some 50,000 pilgrims were present Gut 50.000 Pilger waren beim Heiligtum versammelt
Santa Misa a las 16.00 hs.. con Mons. Adalberto Martinez Holy Massat 4:00 PM,  with Bishop Alberto Martinez Heilige Messe um 16.00 Uhr mit Bischof Alberto Martinez
Santa Misa de la Familia a las 20.00 hs., con Mons. Claudio Giménez Holy Mass of the Family at 8:00 PM, with Bishop Claudio Giménez Heilige Messe der Familie um 20.00 Uhr mit Bischof Claudio Gimenez
Jóvenes del ballet folklórico de Susy Sacco  compañaron la imagen de la Mater que presidió las cuatro celebraciones del día Young Ballet Dancers of the Susy Sacco Folclor Ballet accompanied the MTA picture that presided the four eucharistic celebrations of the day Junge Tänzerinnen aus dem Susy Sacco Folklore Ballet begleiteten das Bild der Gottesmutter Fotos: Pardo © 2006 Albúm de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

PARAGUAY, Fr. Antonio Cosp. The mini-jubilee of August 20^th was a date that was completely full of the "nothing without you, Mary, nothing without us". The same jubilee date was overflowing. The liturgy of each Eucharist had its own touch. The blessing with the Blessed Sacrament and the moments of silence and intimacy followed the joyful songs; the dance that accompanied the large Pilgrim MTA, the bilingual emcee touched the depth of the soul with his commentary in guarani. There were many smiles, and at the same time, there were many tears.

Yes, the symbolic gestures touched "the depth of the soul". The blessings for those who wanted something more personal competed with the long line with those who wanted to go to confession. The many sorrows and brokenness that was brought from home were healed by the Blessed Mother.

To save the families

It was a jubilee year for the large Family, the organized one as well as for the pilgrims. But there was much sadness in the country: the national constitution was trampled by the highest ranking leaders, poverty, and emigration above all among the mothers, of those who constitute the nucleus around which the family revolves, and that leaves it disintegrated. This sadness calls upon the "nothing without us" of everyone and of each of the Paraguayans who came on pilgrimage to Tuparenda and we heard from the lips of Jesus: Disciple, here is your Mother". It is the great Schoenstatt secret, to make it one’s own, to take the presence and maternal action of Mary to the home and the heart, to the depth of the soul. And we all feel that we are family. The call to the country and this commitment to change all of these things made an echo in the unpublished oral press and the televised and written press of the country. "These celebrations demonstrated that this movement has gained much space in the Catholic Church", the journalist of the main newspaper concluded in his commentary.

National and international presence

Buses from the entire country arrived throughout the day and the three large parking lots were full. We calculated a record number of about 50,000 pilgrims. We were also accompanied by about 100 pilgrims from Argentina and many from Chile, Bolivia, and Brazil. We received about 50 letters that expressed affection and encouragement, especially from Father Heinrich Walter on behalf of the international Presidency.

A new stage

The Schoenstatt Family emerges especially strengthened from this jubilee year, and it is more conscious that much is lacking before the country becomes a nation of God. The very vivid experience of the Blessed Mother’s presence as mother and educator in our three Paraguayan Shrines assures us that the fount flows and the children are strengthened.

Fr. Antonio Cosp is Movement Director in Paraguay.

The sound of Tuparenda