An Experience which is translated into a mission

A pilgrimage to the tomb of Father Esteban Uriburu

Tumba del Padre Esteban Uriburu Tomb of Father Esteban Uriburu Grab von Pater Esteban Uriburu
Comienza la peregrinación The pilgrimage starts Beginn der Prozession
Adentro por la lluvia Incide, because of the rain Wegen des heftigen Regens drinnen
Se encienda la primera vela The first candle is lit Die erste Kerze brennt
P. Esteban Uriburu Fr. Esteban Uriburu P. Esteban Uriburu Fotos: Crivelli © 2007 Albúm de fotos – photo album - Fotoalbum

ARGENTINA, Monina Crivell, Surely many people who visit Schoenstatt.de have known Father Esteban Uriburu personally, others know him by name only due to his association with the Rosary Campaign, and perhaps some have never heard about him. This article is directed to everyone without distinction.

Lately some have detected the very strong presence of Father Esteban in the memory of the people, especially during the month of April. On different occasions, be it in a Journey, an article or at a talk, his name has appeared along with his words, as synonymous for "ardor" for the mission, the Schoenstatt mission, and Father’s mission. That is how we believe he would like to be present once more in order to motivate us as a family to radiate the message and the charisma of the Father "to every corner of the word", with the conviction, with the same fire, the passion, the enthusiasm that overcame him when he spoke about Father Kentenich and the MTA.

During the last National Encounter of the representatives of the Campaign a pilgrimage to Father Esteban’s tomb was planned, a pilgrimage that had to be carried out spiritually in the Solace of Mary and the Church of God the Father in Florencio Varela, since it was raining heavily. Although, it could be expected that many were saddened because the pilgrimage could not be done physically, it was still a moment of deep encounter with Father Esteban, with Father and Joao Pozzobon, and with his mission. In a way it was providential that the pilgrimage was "spiritual" because now many others can imitate this initiative, doing the same in their respective areas.

A giant with the heart of a child

"Having been close to him, has been an enormous gift, it was like being close to a giant with the heart of a child; at the same time it has been an experience that cannot help but to be translated into a mission. There is a need to share that which was received and in this way to be able to continue enriching ourselves and others with the fire of his charisma at the service of our beloved mission: the Campaign", read the beginning of the reflection that led the leaders of the Campaign on pilgrimage from the Shrine of the Father towards the Shrine of Sion, Shrine of the Schoenstatt Fathers and the point of departure of Father Esteban’s last earthly pilgrimage. Inspired by these words, they began the pilgrimage singing Campaign songs, "saturated" with the spirit of this "adventurer and missionary", who upon discovering Joao and the Campaign discovered the mission of his life. They went on pilgrimage praying the Holy Rosary, inseparably united to the Campaign, and meditating upon what Father Esteban means to the Campaign today. In the very beginning of the Rosary Campaign, the geographic borders of southern Brazil were crossed into Argentina where it expanded, and from there it spilled over into the entire world. We repeat this journey today and implore, "Mary, give us the daring, the confidence, the ardor and the enthusiasm that Father Esteban radiated when he spoke about your ‘things’ so that we too can announce the Kingdom of God to all the families that are visited in Argentina and beyond".

To make the mystery of Schoenstatt popular

At the Shrine of Sion, already on the road toward Father Esteban’s tomb, we recall his words when he spoke about the Campaign as "the swift vehicle of the Schoenstatt message"; he could talk for hours about how this current of life and of graces concretely allowed this desire and vision of the Founder to make the mystery of Schoenstatt popular, to take it to the people, to the "open field". As he spoke it was as if he not only enkindled those who heard him, rather he became re-enkindled.

As we approach the centennial of the founding of the Movement may Father Esteban once more give Schoenstatt this swift vehicle of the message of Schoenstatt and may he help each and every one to re-enkindle themselves anew with the fire of the mission.

Pilgrimage to the tomb of Father Esteban Uriburu – Meditations, rosary, reflections for the Rosary Campaign (PDF)