Unconditional giving of self to Mary and from Mary

Reception of the Sisters of Mary in New Schoenstatt – testimonies of families, priests and…the people from Cordoba!

Entrada de las novicias Entrance of the novices Einzug der Novizinnen
Rito Rite Ritus
Carolina Sandrone Carolina Sandrone Carolina Sandrone
Seis nuevas hermanas saludan a la Famiglia Six nes Sisters greeting the Family Sechs neue Marienschwestern grüßen die Familie
En el Santuario In the Shrine Im Heiligtum Fotos: JF Cordoba/Hermanas de Maria © 2006 Álbum de foto – photo álbum – Fotoalbum

ARGENTINA, Juan Barbosa/mkf. On November 25^th, the reception of six novices of the Institute of the Sisters of Mary was celebrated in New Schoenstatt. Obviously, it was a great joy for the Sisters although it seems that this time their joy has overflowed in the happiness and the pride of the Family, to which one of the novices belongs –the first after 25 years – and of the Federation of Families, cradle of the majority of the novices. A large group of youth from Córdoba participated in the reception, sharing their testimonies with all the family.

Pochola and Ricardo Sandrone, a young couple who recently celebrated their first 60 years of matrimony, belong unconditionally to Mary. Nothing holds back these people when it istime to spread the message of Jesus Christ and the living presence of the Blessed Mother whenever the Father asks them to do it.

One of their sons, Enrique, and Susana his wife, are members of the 21^st course of Family Federation from Argentina, are the parents of whom this article is about, who at the same time has given immense joy to the Family from Córdoba and Argentina: Sister Mary Carolina.

The Sisters of Mary had not had a vocation from Córdoba in 25 years, and the Blessed Mother helped to awaken in Mary Carolina this giving of her life to God.

A true Family of families

Three girls who belong to her Girls’ Youth Group, youth from other groups, friends of her beloved school from Río Tercer ( a city located 100 km. South of Córdoba, Capital), relatives and friends of her family did not want to miss this celebration, so they filled two buses to travel the 750 km. that separate the Shrines of Córdoba and the National Shrine of New Schoenstatt in Florencio Varela.

Córdoba, fount of Solidarity, defender of Life and bearer of Hope wanted to be present in the Shrine of the Father.

Course brothers of their parents also departed with their families, the day before, since they were to seal their Third consecration as a course of the Family Federation. A true Family of families.

November 25^th – Glorious day for the Sister!

Belén Barros relates that the ceremony was very strong, filled with the presence of the Blessed Mother in the Church of God the Father, and that the emotion that she felt when she saw her enter, along with her course sisters, is indescribable.

They entered the church dressed as brides, and after their dresses were blessed, they took them and minutes later they returned wearing their dresses and with the presence of a woman consecrated to God that awakens great admiration in us.

The parents of Sister Mary Carolina read a prayer through which they and the other parents gave their daughters to God the Father and to the beloved MTA, asking them to take care of them in the future.

All was joy in New Schoenstatt!

"You can’t imagine how Carolina looked! Belén continues to relate, regarding what happened after the ceremony and finally greeting of the Sister. "There were many people who wanted to greet her so it was difficult to reach her…The tranquility and happiness that she emanated was noticeable…Juan, you can’t imagine her smile!"

Absolutely yes, Belén…! It is the happiness and tranquility of someone who dreamed about this moment for many years, of someone who felt sheltered and transformed by the MTA, and today… the moment of her apostolic sending forth arrived!

Crown and fruit of a family life founded on the Covenant with the Blessed Mother

The day after the reception, Father José Parodi, of the Diocesan Institute of Schoenstatt Priests, said in his homily in the Shrine of San Isidro: "I attended the reception of the Sisters of Mary for the first time. I imagine heaven to be what I experienced there: a beautiful and festive place; in front, God the Father on his throne (Church of God the Father with the altar piece), beautiful organ music, a choir of angels (the Sisters), and a parade of people with faces radiant with happiness, just like the new novices".

María Teresa Martíno, a member of the general council of the International Family Federation, adds something that filled her with happiness: "Three of the six postulants are daughters of our couples of the Family Federation, and another one of the girls is a niece of a Family Federation member

We are immensely happy for this miracle of election…Our Blessed Mother chose young girls who are passionate for Jesus and for the work of our Father, from the bosom of our families. They are daughters of all of us, and we know that their generous giving of self is a hope for the evangelization of the nation and for the fruitfulness of the Schoenstatt mission, especially among the youth.

When our Father spoke about the Family Work as "foundation and crown" of all the Work, the other branches noticed, so they were preeminently at the service of the Family Branch. But it also a glimpse of the going and coming through which the Family work contributed their best fruit, awakening and encouraging vocations for all the branches among their children.

Once again the prophetic vision of our Father is fulfilled, and with joy we see the visible giving of self, of the children, to God and to humanity in Carolina, Paz, Daniela and Sol.

Through them we thank God for all the children of our families, who give their lives in different ways, in gestures of service to the Church, by contributing to the building of a new social order, for creativity and loyalty to the Schoenstatt Work. They assume the values they received in the bosom of our homes with creative loyalty. They are the crown of our efforts, and they are the rich fruit of a family life founded on the Covenant with the Blessed Mother, in the shadow of each Home Shrine.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TXm USA