The mission of the Youth Shrine has just begun

Celebrations for the Tenth Anniversary of the Youth Shrine in Asunción, Paraguay

Festival de la canción Song contest Musik-Festival
Participaron muchos grupos Many groups participated Viele Gruppen nahmen daran teil
El coro ganador fue la Parroquia Virgen de Fátima, tema: Una historia de amor The winnig choir was the one of the Parish Our Lady of Fatima, with: A history of love Der Chor der Pfarrei “Unsere Liebe Frau von Fatima” gewann mit “Eine Liebesgeschichte”
Las Hermanas de María: Georgina, Edna, Ma. Marta, Carol, Kathia durante la Misa central The Schoenstatt Sisters Georgina, Edna, Ma. Marta, Carol, Kathia during the central Mass Die Marienschwestern Georgina, Edna, Ma. Marta, Carol, Kathia bei der zentralen Messfeier
Procesion por las calles adyacentes al santuario Procesión through the nearby streets Prozession durch die anliegenden Straßen Fotos: Estela Franco © 2007 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

PARAGUAY, Estela Franco. Masses, bike-a-thons, vigils, 21,000 hours at the Shrine, a novena, and a pilgrimage from Shrine to Shrine: all of this was carried out in preparation for the 10^th Anniversary of the Youth Shrine in Asunción, the Shrine that the Youth of the Schoenstatt Movement feels is theirs. "We cannot celebrate each celebration in a big way, as we did last year for the 25^th Anniversary of the National Shrine, since there is now a special anniversary each year," says Father Antonio Cosp. But of course the 10^th Anniversary of the Shrine in the city of Asunción was celebrated.

To commemorate the 10^th Anniversary of the blessing of the Youth Shrine, the Family offered the Blessed Mother a beautiful music festival of song on September 13^th. Teams began decorating the stage with patriotic colors, red, white, and blue, earlier in the day. Eleven groups from the Family Movement participated, and there were also participants from the nearby parishes who presented their talents and voices to the Blessed Mother. Of course, the youth were present at this special event of the Youth Shrine. Boys’ Youth Choir 21, the boys who belong to the Blessed Mother, and the souls of all the young people who have died. Groups from the Family Branch dedicated their songs to two group brothers who have returned to the Heavenly Home, in a very moving moment.

The participants were very excited, and some were very nervous, while others gathered in the patio for a little more rehearsal time. Father Tommy opened the celebration by promising to pray a rosary for the participants! But he was more nervous than anyone else! Each group participating received applause from the audience in addition to cheering from their fans. Each choir was unique, but the one that attracted the most attention was a group of youth from Sacred Heart Parish, who sang Christian hip-hop. They received warm applause. The first place song was A Story of Love, sung by the Virgin of Fatima Parish choir; second place was The Land of God presented by the group, Close to the Blessed Mother; third place was Like a Child, by the Holy Mary and Saint Nicolas Choir.

The highlight and surprise of the night: Father Tommy sang a duet of rock and roll in English. You can imagine that the Blessed Mother was smiling because of all the gifts she received.

One thousand people celebrated the anniversary of the Shrine.

The main celebration was held the night of September 21^st with about one thousand people attending.

Many families and youth of all ages met in the Youth Shrine to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of its inauguration. The Blessed Mother was adorned to receive her children. She was carried by her youngest children, the Boys’ and Girls’ Youth, accompanied by the celebrants: Father Pedro, Father Tommy, Father Francisco, Father Conrado, and the Permanent Deacons: Epifanio López and Francisco Martinez, who were accompanied by the seminarians: Juan Francisco, Pope, and Pedro.

Father Tommy presented the homily, in which he reminded us how to live the three graces of the Shrine: shelter, interior transformation, and apostolic zeal. Every celebration is a feast, but this time more than ever, there were some very touching moments, the Choir 21 participated with their voices and all their energy. The Living Stones, who offered their lives for the fruitfulness of the Shrine, were remembered, and to the Fadul Family, gratitude was expressed for their donation of the family house where the offices of the Movement and the Youth Shrine are located.

After Holy Mass, pictures from the life generated around the Youth Shrine, including many vocations, were shown.

For the closing of the celebration, the Blessed Mother was taken in procession so that the neighboring families could also welcome their Mother. The houses were beautifully decorated with flowers, balloons, candles, and the families were waiting in front of their houses as the Blessed Mother passed. Father Tommy blessed all the pictures and each family as he passed.

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