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 published: 2006-10-13

Silvia: yes to life

A love story: Silvia Morel de Barrientos, of the Schoenstatt Family of Ituzaingo, Corrientes, Argentina

 

Silvia Barrientos  y su hija mayor Mavi. La historia de  Silvia Barrientos es una historia del SI a la vida – hasta le muerte

Silvia Barrientos and her  oldest daughter Mavi. The story of Silvia Barrientos is the story of YES to life – until death

Silvia Barrientos mit ihrer ältesten Tochter Mavi. Silvias Geschichte ist die Geschichte eines unbedingten Ja zum Leben – bis zum Tod

 

Silvia con su hija Gloria recien nacida. Estaban con el grupo “Milagros Santa Rita” en la Isla Apipe grande para la fiesta de San Antonio

Silvia with her daughter Gloria; with her group “Miracles Saint Rita” she was celebrating at the Island of Apipe the festivities of  St. Anthony

Silvia mit ihrer neugeborenen Tochter Gloria; das Foto entstand, als sie mit ihrer Gruppe “St. Rita Wunder“ auf der Insel Apipe das Antonius-Fest feierte.

 

Gloria a un año de vida

Gloria, one year old

Gloria, ein Jahr alt

 

Gloria Irupé, hija de Silvia en el Hospital a n día de su nacimiento

Gloria Irupé, Silvia’s daughter, at the day of her premature birth

Gloria Irupé, Silvias Tochter, am Tag ihrer Geburt im Krankenhaus

 

Silvia con su esposo „Dani“ Pablo

Silvia with her husband „Dani“ Pablo

Silvia mit ihrem Ehemann “Dani” Pablo

 

Con sus tres hijas

With her three daughters

Mit ihren drei Töchtern

 

Grupo “Milagros Santa Rita”

Schoenstatt Family “Miracles Saint Rita”

Schönstatt-Familiengruppe “Sankt Rita Wunder”

Fotos: Pozzatti ©2006

 
   

ARGENTINA, Eli and Saul Pozzatti. We met her a few years ago; we knew that she taught catechism in the Chapel of Saint Cayetano of Ituzaingo, Corrientes. We went to her house to invite her to participate in one of the religious talks, based on the pedagogy of Schoenstatt. Much later, we formed a very interesting group of couples with her and her husband. Everyone, except us, was from a neighborhood close to the Saint Rita Chapel of the same city.

During the first meeting, where we introduced ourselves, each gave a brief review of the reality of their marriage. Silvia repeated several times that the invitation to form a religious group for couples had been one of her most intimate hopes for the past two years. She thought that this would bring her beloved husband closer to God and the Church.

She introduced us to her two daughters of 8 and 12 years of age, and to a reality of work and sacrifices. We all got along well with her. It was not like that with her husband, He was a worker, one who was good at making his way in the world, "a street professional"…as he said. They were a "good complement". The months passed and we began to know each other better, thanks to Saint Rita and our books by Father Joseph Kentenich, founder of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement.

One day, they gave us the good news; her husband had gotten a very good job, something he had awaited for a long time.

Surely, this would change their life. A few days later, not many, some more good news, a third pregnancy, a new child and with this, the first medical examinations that were necessary. The new job allowed them to travel to the capital of Corrientes for some medical tests.

"And the pregnancy?"

And this is how she appeared at another meeting, as always, smiling and essential. And the bad news came, the doctors in Corrientes, had detected severe breast cancer In spite of the seriousness of the medical terms, we were all surprised by he usual simile and her innocent wholeness of accepting God’s will.

More than speaking about a strong faith, about a quick recuperation, everyone’s question was: "…and the pregnancy?"

The doctors advised them of the possibility of a therapeutic abortion, because of the urgency of the case and in this way they could begin the chemotherapy sessions that were needed for this serious condition. On the other hand, the chemotherapy with a developing baby, can only be given in special doses, light and without results that would be safe, because the confirmed counterpart that the cancer in this hormonal state of the a mother, spreads in an exponential and multiplying manner.

The decision was taken without thinking about it too much…"No, No, to abortion".

Miracles of Saint Rita

Years later we learned that it was a personal decision. She said "no" to losing her daughter and she only accepted to schedule a cesarean at seven (7) months of gestation to begin with the urgent treatment that was needed.

So it was that on May 7th of 2004, Gloria Irupe, her beloved daughter, was born.

With this joy, they also began the cycles of intensive chemotherapy treatments. Everything seemed to go according to plan the external signs were of a great joy given because of the care of the physicians Weekly, bi- weekly, and monthly trips to Corrientes 230 kilometers from Ituzaingo, and all with Gloria in her arms. That is how in time (we are witnesses) that she made friends in those clinics and hospitals. Because of her giving of self, her humility, her smile, her example of motherhood, and of a person, that she freely offered to anyone she knew. It was impossible not to like her.

One day, the entire group decided to cross the Parana River to participate in the patron celebration of Saint Anthony, at the Island Apipe Grande. It was there that we decided on our group name – "Miracles of Saint Rita". Monsignor Francisco Polti, the diocesan bishop, was there and we asked for his blessing. There were truly many things that seemed like "miracles" to us, undoubtedly Silvia’s unbreakable faith, how several husbands came closer to the church, new jobs for some and other more simple things and not less important. Everything went as planned. Gloria’s first birthday arrived, a new house, retreats, a wedding, some trips, and time passed.

Some live a hundred years, others fifty, may God will that I live a little less

At the beginning of the year 2006, the cruelest part of this reality, struck our hearts. On one of the trips to Corrientes, this one accompanied by her husband, the medical diagnosis was desolate and without hope.

Dr. Charoski, the head of the Hospital of Oncology in Corrientes tells him:

-"Sir, there is nothing more to do, everything that we will prescribe for her will only be to better her quality of life, it is not to cure, we could not combat the illness"

Two minutes later and in this same manner, with same words, her husband decided to transmit this news to Silvia. She responded with gratitude for his honesty:

"Some live a hundred years, other fifty, may God will that I live a little less, what can we do...take me home, I want to be with my daughters." On April 9, 2006, she died in room 11 of the Billinghurst Hospital, Ituzaingo, Corrientes. It was only 28 days until her beloved daughter’s second birthday.

Why all this narrative? What is the idea that motivated us to write this story?

There are as many answers, as the number of people who knew her, but there is one that is common to all of us and we believe that it is this one that we must tell. Silvia was converted into a loyal testimony of faith in Divine Providence. Since we knew her, after her illness and until the last second of life, she placed herself in the hands of God and the Blessed Mother. She was our teacher and even our envy. She never doubted in confronting death for life itself.

What is the value of these acts in moments such as these? How can all of this example be transmitted?

No one ever heard her complain. That is what everyone says: her mother, her husband, the doctors from here and from over there, her daughters and us. She accepted all that God offered her, trips at dawn, in cold or very hot weather, most of the time by herself and with her baby in her arms, in uncomfortable vans, catching rides or by ambulances, with little money and many times without any money.

The drugs and the special examinations were not always available at the scheduled times (usual in our hospitals)…"That is all right, I will come tomorrow". And she would come home to return later, kilometers and kilometers. She had to take care of her husband who she loved deeply and also her two other daughters. She made time for everyone; she attended our biweekly meeting with vitality and joy, etc. etc.

She taught catechism while she could, with her daughters in her arms until the end. Ultimately, the cancerous metastasis in the bones, caused much pain in the joints, she walked just the same, with morphine or without it.

She never stopped welcoming us in her home, in spite of the liquid in her lungs that did not allow her to breathe correctly because of the insufficient lymphatic drainage. On her deathbed, when she was physically exhausted, she was conscious until the last second of life, we whispered in her ear, what can we do for you? In a very soft voice she said "Dani". That is what she called her husband, the father of her three daughters.

We are sorry about the sadness of this narrative. It is a love story. Where there is also a cross and a passion. And everything happened before our eyes, moving many hearts of this beautiful city of Ituzaingo. We experienced a real death and at the same time a complete symbol of life.

There is a small square under construction in front of our house. Through the initiative of a companion and a brother, the Mayor decided to inaugurate it soon in honor of Silvia. It will be named The Mothers’ Square.

Today, Gloria passed by that same construction site with her older sister. They were happy; they had the same smile of someone who is surely guiding them.

Note: We did not want to use too many names for obvious reasons. All the information can be obtained from Eli and Saul Pozzatti.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA


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