In the footsteps of John Pozzobon

Rosary Campaign Pilgrimage from Argentina to Santa Maria

Entrando para la celebración del envío Entering for the celebration of commissioning Einzug zur Sendungsfeier
Unas de las Auxiliares que les acompañaron; estuvo tambien la Auxiliar de los Ciegos Some of the Auxiliaries that accompanied the pilgrims; they also brought the Auxiliary of the Blind People Einige der Auxiliares, die bei der Wallfahrt dabei waren, unter anderem auch die der Blinden
Grupo de San Isidro Group from San Isidro Gruppe aus San Isidro
El matrimonio Ottolenghi, ellos fueron del primer grupo que fueron  a Santa María a recibir las primeras Peregrinas que llegaron a Buenos Aires con el Padre Esteban The Ottolenghi’s, who were part of the first group that went to Santa Maria to receive the first Pilgrim MTA’s, together with Father Esteban Ehepaar Ottolenghi aus der ersten Gruppe, die mit Pater Uriburu nach Santa Maria fuhr, um die ersten Bilder der Pilgernden Gottesmutter in Empfang zu nehmen: Anfang der weltweiten Verbreitung der Kampagne
Cantando todos juntos Singing together Alle singen gemeinsam Fotos: Bueno © 2006 Albúm de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

ARGENTINA, Rita Bueno. "How can I explain what we have experienced during these four days" – was one of the first comments that were heard when the missionaries of the Rosary Campaign returned from their pilgrimage to Santa Maria, Brazil, the place of origin of the Campaign that was initiated in 1950 by John Pozzobon. During the "Pilgrimage of Spring" in Santa Maria, the pilgrims from Argentina with their Auxiliaries, rosaries and flags went like another "stream of return" from the countries where the Campaign had spread since 1983, at the moment in which it became worldwide, just like John wished and which was made possible thanks to the decisive intervention of Father Esteban Uriburu.

"Looking for an address, I made contact with Graciela Montiveros, a volunteer at the House of Mary and Queen in Buenos Aires", commented Rosario Lara Maranon, a volunteer at the Press Office for three moths, "and ah!!!!what a story!!!She told that she was very excited because she had been in Brazil following the footsteps of John, she went to his house and everything. I told her to write a testimony because she was overflowing with excitement!" Similar comments have also been heard from other places, such as those of Rita Bueno, from San Isidro, who shares what the more than 80 pilgrims from Argentina experienced.

Tabor Shrine, "the biggest one in the world"

How can I explain what we experienced during those 4 days, Rita Bueno began, and she relives each moment of grace during this pilgrimage:

We began the pilgrimage to Santa Maria with Holy Mass celebrated by Father Guillermo Mario Cassone in Confidentia, accompanied by the priests who traveled with us, the Pastor from San Nicolas and Father Sergio, the Pastor of Saint Peter’s.

We were already in the Pilgrimage atmosphere! There were 2 mini-buses completely full with people from different communities: Mar del Plata, del Centro, Capital, 9 de Julio, Anatuya, Lomas de Zamora. San Pedro, Villa Ballester, Lanus, Flres, San Luis, Pinamar, La Plata, and Garin, a crucible of communities at the feet of the Blessed Mother. I hope I did not forget one.

The Sisters of Mary welcomed us with joy as always; they were always at our disposal, making us feel at home. Santa Maria welcomed us with a torrential rain but we left the luggage and we crossed to greet the Blessed Mother in "her Home": Tabor Shrine, the Shrine of Heroic Filiation . Father Guillermo explained that this Shrine is larger than the others. I imagined the Shrine of San Isidro inside of the Tabor Shrine. When I heard this I thought: "we are children of the Son". I again thought and in the heart of the Shrine of Filiation.

After a good rest we arose early to travel to the places where John Pozzobon lived and sowed so much love for the Blessed Mother, accompanied by his children and grandson who carries the same name. We continually received words of gratitude from them always with a smile. They now continue the mission that they inherited from their Father. As John would say: "I understood the mission and I gave myself totally to it".

We went through his house, humble, simple, open to all, where there was always a plate of food for the needy person; we went to the parish where he was ordained as a Deacon, to the cemetery where he is buried, to his birthplace in Ribeirao and to the Parish of Saint Peter, the place where he received the Sacraments. We could again make contact with Father Argemiro, each of his words inflamed the hearts of everyone even more.

A man who was attentive to God’s wishes

In his homily Father Argemiro made us go back in time. We went through the different stages of our lives, in view of how we live our Baptism: Do we really feel that we are God’s favorite children? What does the Eucharist mean to us, are we conscious of the gift that Jesus gives us staying with us in a "little piece of bread"? Do we give the Holy Spirit a place in our lives so that he can fill us with his gifts? Do we realize that through the Sacrament of Reconciliation the Father covers us with a mantle of mercy? And how is our Sacrament of Matrimony? Which are our lights and our shadows? It was truly an exceptional catechesis. John was an authentic man, who served others, he was an excellent son, an exemplary spouse and father, he was man who understood and lived giving testimony of the pedagogy and the spirituality of Founding Father - as he would say without having studied much, he simply allowed himself to be led by Divine Providence – he was man who was attentive to God’s wishes. And although many times he did not understand he gave his yes. He knew how to say "ADSUM", he was the "little donkey of the Blessed Mother", the donkey was not important; rather, "it was what he carried that was important".

And then the highlight, after the mystical, there was the eating! We were treated to a spectacular dinner, the famous risotto, barbeque, dessert, and much more. They sang their folksongs for us and we sang ours and to end the celebration we sang the March of San Lorenzo, and Father Guillermo marched with agile and decisive steps like a soldier of the Homeland.

The "Pilgrimage of Spring"

What else can I say! I am very grateful to my beloved Father Kentenich for this great gift. We have taken the Tabor Shrine to all the team of coordinators, to the missionaries, to the families that receive the Pilgrim MTA, to the Family and to everyone! And during the Sunday Holy Mass everyone went to the altar. We experienced the "Pilgrimage of Spring" with much emotion, the ground was covered with rose petals and She was in the center…our Mother and Queen! We again gave ourselves to her through our Consecration prayer recited in our own language. And to Father we say as always: "You search for allies for the mission. Here we are. We go with you. Our heart in your heart, our thoughts in your thoughts, our hand in your hand, Father, your inheritance is our mission!

The third Auxiliary for San Isidro

For the Campaign from San Isidro, all the pilgrimage had a special "seal" since we went to Santa Maria to bring the third Auxiliary for San Isidro. This Auxiliary was conquered during two years with Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, by participating in Adoration in the Shrine and in the parishes where each of the missionaries belong. We are happy with our new Auxiliary that is already on pilgrimage!

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA