Priestly Joy

Encounter for priests in Bellavista, Chile - The Diocesan Branch of Priests is strengthened in Chile

CHILE, P. José Luisa Correa / mkf. On Friday, July 6 there was an encounter for diocesan priests and Schoenstatt Fathers at the Shrine of Bellavista, Chile. All of them came with great expectations and experienced great joy. "We will see you on Friday the 6 at 11:00 am. at the Shrine of Bellavista", was a phrase that was heard and read repeatedly. The Holy Mass was presided by Father Ivan Simicic, National Director of the Movement in Chile. Inspired by the theme of the retreat for presbyters, which will also be held in Bellavista on September 3-7th, Father Simicic referred to the subject of Marian and priestly joy during his homily.

"I received the letters you sent to the Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests with joy, and I read them and reread them with much interest," wrote Father Eugenio Duque, who is from San Felipe, to Father Jose Luis Correa, who is charge of the Diocesan Branch of Priests. "It is wonderful to see how the Blessed Mother is opening the way, when I see that you come and go from one place to another as her instrument, and that new priests are joining the Movement!"

There were seven diocesan priests, including Fathers Ignacio Munoz, Eugenio Duque, Rodrigo Allendes, Jorge Laplagne, Mauricio Bravo, Mauricio Gonzalez and Luis Maria Avendano, at the session. They were joined by three seminarians from the Pontifical Seminary, Melquisedec Munizaga, Francisco Ibanez and Rafael Guarapil, in addition to six Schoenstatt Fathers , Fathers Ivan Simicic, Mariano Irureta, Francisco Garcia Huidobro, Roberto Navaroo and Jose Luis Correa. The idea to also invite seminarians emerged during the preparation for the encounter through Father Rodrigo Allendes, who accompanied a group of Schoenstatt seminarians.

At the end of Holy Mass they renewed the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother according the ritual that was proper for the occasion.

The story of how they learned about Schoenstatt

Following Mass and the Covenant renewal, they went to the training center, where some of the priests shared experiences of how they came to know Schoenstatt. Father Ignacio Munoz, told the priests and seminarians how he learned about Schoenstatt as a child in Santa Cruz, and how he recently blessed a wayside shrine of the Blessed Mother in his parish in La Florida, which is very close to the Bellavista Shrine. Fr. Mauricio Bravo, who learned about Schoenstatt on a Mission for the Country in Los Alamos, Arauco-Conception, also shared his introduction into Schoenstatt.

Father Rodrigo Allendes told about the group of Schoenstatt diocesan seminarians that he is accompanying as a teacher at the seminary and a member of the group from Santiago.

For his part, Father Jorge Laplagne told about the Schoenstatt situation in his parish in Mauipu, where there are now four couples' groups, two mothers' groups and one group of single professional women.

Until next time

Father José Luis Correa told the group about Schoenstatt's activities in the Branch in Chile and other countries. He also reminded them about an important date in Schoenstatt's history in the country and events coming up in the future. One was the arrival of Father Jorge Falch in Chile 40 years ago. The date was to be commemorated on July 30 in Bellavista.

Also noted was the retreat for Presbyters from Sept. 3-7th at the Saint Joseph House. Father Ricardo Bravo, a Schoenstatt Father and a member of the Votive Temple Pastoral Team in Mauipu, is directing the retreat. And early next year, the Journey January 21- 25, which will also be held at the Saint Joseph Priest House in Bellavista.

The participating priests and seminarians concluded with a delicious lunch, and there was a consensus they want to return soon, and even began planning an event for the Month of Mary, which is in November in their region of the world.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA /Judy Harlowe, Milwaukee, WI, USA