The Land that Father saw

An unforgettable October 18^th in the city of Encarnación, Paraguay

Bendición de la imagenes peregrinas Blessing of the Pilgrim MTA’s Segnung der Bilder der Pilgernden Gottesmutter
Parte del grupo Part of the group Ein Teil der Gruppe
En la mañana en Tuparenda... In the morning, in Tuparenda... Am Morgen in Tuparenda…
… en la noche en Encarnación … in the evening in Encarnación … am Abend in Encarnación Fotos: Martín © 2007

PARAGUAY, Nelly Diaz de Ramirez. Very early on October 18^th, Chiquita de Marin was at the National Shrine of the Schoenstatt Family of Paraguay. She was early, because she just had to be in Encarnación again that night for the celebration in the cathedral. Encarnación is 400 kilometers South on the border with Paraná. Two missionaries of the Campaign were with her in Tuparenda. Through this gesture they sought to unite Encarnación with the source of grace of the National Shrine on the day of the anniversary of the Covenant of Love, of the Original Shrine and of the Shrine of Tuparenda.

At the celebration in Encarnación, along with many others, they received the Pilgrim MTA from the hands of the Diocesan Bishop, Monsignor Igacio Gogorza.

On October 19^th at 2:15 a.m., Nelly Ramirez, who with her husband from Ciudad del Este are advisers for the Schoenstatt couples from Encarnación, went to her window to the world (her PC) and she began to write, because she did not want to go to sleep without telling about the wonders they experienced on October 18^th.

The motor of our car was still warm, just like our hearts, because of the night that we experienced in this city: We had just arrived from Encarnación, in the southern part of Paraguay, where I went with my husband Alfredo to join the new Family Branch from there, to help however we could "we want to show with deeds that we love her!

The Cathedral was filled with Mary’s children who were massively gathered by thousands of ways emails sent to everyone by the couple who is presently in charge of the Rosary Campaign, Nilda and Julio Sbardell, or by the Family Branch, who used the radio station, which is how the great moment : October 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. happened at the Cathedral of Encarnación, Paraguay.

Be missionaries who take the rosary to all the families, that is how a new world is built

In the solemn celebration of the Eucharist, Monsignor Ignacio Gogorza, Bishop of the Diocese, presented us with a great anniversary homily! He congratulated the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement for its great missionary contribution to the families, and he stressed that the wealth of the faith is to share it, and before the final blessing he insisted: be missionaries who take the rosary to all the families, this is how a new world is built, and you know how to do it very well…The bishop is also the current president of the Episcopal Conference of Paraguay.

The celebration was very full: Monsignor blessed the Pilgrim MTA’s, and he commissioned them. For several days before the blessing they had been in the Youth Shrine at Asunción, where the National Coordinator of the Rosary Campaign organized this great moment, with the help of the leaders, the Sbardella’s. Sixteen MTA pictures of the Serenity modality were commissioned. The call for action was: She is the Great Missionary, She will work miracles! And brave hearts began to experience the sending forth bringing about a time for renewal.

What did celebrating October 18^th mean to the family from Encarnación?

It signified encountering the clear missionary message of a Mother who goes out for an encounter and who realizes the sending forth!

It signified doing one’s part to build the Latin American Church with concrete educational tools, greeting with a warm embrace, carrying the rosary, the book to register the visits, the novena of Sister Mary Emily, and above all saturated with the best thing: giving witness to life!

Monsignor looked very happy and so were all the faithful! The Word continues to be Incarnate without haste and without stopping.

As your instruments and possession

The commissioning was finished and a member of the Family Branch wisely spoke up saying: "we have to consecrate ourselves!" So all the voices united in exchanging our committed hearts with the Mother and Queen of the Nation of God by saying: "As your instruments and possessions!"

The images in the Cathedral of Encarnación were heavenly: the red liturgical vestments that the bishop wore for the Feast of Saint Luke, the children were attentive, and the wooden frame surrounding the picture reminded us of our Terruño, our Land, it reminded us of our Tuparenda, it reminded us of our Original Shrine. It made us part of the mission!

My husband Alfredo is already asleep, he was a great chauffer going and coming (600 kms.) and I am overcome by gratitude in such a way that I came to the window of the world without knowing the great gift that awaited me: to drink even more from the fountain of grace, to see the photos, and to receive the news about October 18^th at the Original Shrine.

What a great day of grace!

A gift for Father Kentenich

The Family Branch from Encarnación is preparing to present its founding document with the group commitment of three groups, and they want to give it to Father Kentenich. They have chosen November 18^th as the date for this rite.

The city where the foundation was consecrated to Our Lady of Incarnate Word will be filled with the strength of love, just as our Founder thought, for the renewal of the world in Jesus Christ. With nets of love that are born in the Shrine!

In 1949 Father Kentenich visited Oberá, in the Argentinean province of Missiones. He arrived in a hydroplane, the only way to reach that place at that time, and he descended to the Paranáa River which faces Posadas…and Encarnación. The person who accompanied him recalls that while they waited for the car, Father Kentenich looked towards Encarnación and they explained that it was in the territory of Paraguay…No one recalls what he said, but surely the gaze of the Father and Prophet rested on Encarnación, on all of Paraguay.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA /amj