published: 2007-10-05 | |
The great embrace of the ShrineThe Schoenstatt Family of Alto Paraná celebrates a special Seventh year of the Shrine with the MTA in her Schoenstatt Land at Ciudad del Este, Paraguay |
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Upon arriving in the Schoenstatt Land we saw a magnificent and well-attended exhibit of Home Shrine photos in Father’s Room. These photos were glued on thin sheets of foam core hung with strings. It was a very simple and ingenious way to mount the photos. The people said, "I don’t know this Home Shrine", ahhh, look, this one is the Molas’," "This one looks like the Ramirez’," "Here’s mine!" The ShrineThe Shrine was radiant like a bride. A garland of flowers trimmed the entrance arch, and the door was decorated with the papal yellow and white and with Paraguay’s patriotic red, white, and blue. They welcomed all the children who came to greet their Mother. Inside there were also beautiful floral arrangements on the altar that made a worthy framework for the great event being celebrated. Our heart...our hand in your handAt 7:00 p.m. Sister Katia presented a talk, on prayer, in which she said we could ask for Father Kentenich’s blessing, demonstrating our relationship with the Founder and his charism. It was an excellent presentation enriched by testimonies, anecdotes, and smiles. So far so goodAbout ten minutes before 8:00 p.m., a scene typical of events like this took place. Some people were seated enjoying themselves, "Everything is so peaceful, everything is very beautiful," on one hand, and on the other, volunteers wearing turquoise jackets running from side to side, taking care of last minute details. "The incense goes first, then the flags…" were overheard as the organization for the procession took place. Others were hurriedly lighting the candles along the sidewalk that someone else had accidentally knocked over while walking distractedly. The emcee, dressed in an impeccable dark suit, was watching from the esplanade of the Shrine, waiting for the signal from the coordinator of the procession. People scrambled to fill the last available seats. The screen, where a series of historical photographs of the Shrine’s construction had been projected, was removed. The procession, led by the Cross, neared the Shrine. The procession included: three diocesan seminarians, including Juan Viñas, from Asunción who came especially to bring the Boys’ Youth flag, a seminarian of the Schoenstatt Fathers, and acolytes from our Boys’ Youth were in charge of carrying the incense, candles, and Lectionary. The Papal and Paraguayan flags followed along with representatives of the different branches of the Schoenstatt Movement carrying a banner with the symbol of the Shrine for Schoenstatt Land. Then came the Auxiliary MTA, who looked splendid, followed by the four celebrants: Fathers Fermin and Ruben, who belong to the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence, Father Velilla, a Jesuit, and Father Modesto, preceded the main celebrant of the Eucharist, Bishop Claudio Giménez, of Caacupé, a Schoenstatt Father. Meanwhile….The coordinators for the event went over the final details, overseeing and making sure that everyone was at their post: the servers made preparations for communion, the ushers, those who would be in the offertory procession…etc. There were also those who would carry the basket with food as an offering. "Where are they?" Someone answered: "They… are washing the plates for the toast. We must find someone else!" Bishop Claudio Giménez presided at the blessing of the Shrine seven years ago. In his homily referring to the Gospel reading, the Blessed Mother’s Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, he spoke about the challenge of bringing to life the Latin American bishops’ reflections from the meeting in May of this year at Aparecida, Brazil, and the task they entrusted to us: To begin a visitation throughout all the continent, taking Jesus, taking the Word of God house by house. During the middle of the Bishop’s sermon, we heard a whisper, "Here’s our Branch (we will not mention which Branch) flag for the entrance procession"… "Oh, the procession was over a while ago…" was the reply. Renewal of the Covenant of Love and the great embrace of the ShrineThe renewal of the Covenant of Love by all those present was one of the most touching moments during the celebration. There was a reading from the Founding Document, and then Bishop Claudio’s question to which everyone responded manifesting their faith and commitment to Christian life. The highlight of the celebration came after the Eucharist. Before the final blessing, the emcee read a while everyone clasped hands and slowly formed a large chain that encircled the Shrine like an embrace symbolizing family unity around our place of grace. To the sounds of the song, Protect Us with Your Mantle, and gazing heavenwards, we renewed our commitment with Father Kentenich, repeating three times: "Father here I am, your mission, my mission". Final toastLater that night, the Schoenstatt Family shared a toast at the pavilion. After greeting Bishop Claudio Giménez, the people shared and witnessed a duel of songs between the Boys’ Youth and the Girls’ Youth. Meanwhile…those working at the different tasks looked a little tired, but they seemed satisfied, since everything turned out beautifully, without rushing, or inconveniences. Seven years…a short while and at the same time a great amount …The Seventh Anniversary of the MTA’s Schoenstatt Land Shrine blessing in Ciudad del Este takes our Family into an era of great youth dynamism; the Boys’ and Girls’ Youth are experiencing enormous growth. On September 15th, the Girls’ Youth celebrated the 15th Anniversary of their Branch ideal: Woman clothed by the sun, heart of the Nation of God. The previous day, many girls sealed their Covenant of Love. The Boys’ Youth carried out their third Testimonies Retreat, that has enkindled many, and has led them to form a covenant circle, which they will seal with their Covenant of Love to close their yearly activities in November. On September 29th, Campaign 2007 was launched: One million children praying the rosary will be carried out for the third consecutive year. The members of the Mothers’ Branch participated in a retreat at Tuparenda sometime ago where a new group sealed its Covenant of Love. The Family Branch began Group 27, a youth group, full of dynamism that promises commitment and much impetus. The Professional Branch is very large, and it’s one of the more active groups at this time. They have prepared beautiful settings for the Family events, and they participate in all the activities with great enthusiasm. The Rosary Campaign has expanded to different cities some that are quite far away. It’s a work bearing fruit that is done silently and systematically. What awaits us?Bishop Claudio pointed out that 2008 would be the year to go out as missionaries. The challenge for the Schoenstatt Family will be to find an original way of doing it, in accord with the everyday reality of our city. Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/ amj |
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Last Update: 05.10.2007