|
Los Madrugadores: una corriente de vida que no se puede constreñir The dawn-breakers: a stream of life that cannot be contained Die Madrugadores: ein Lebensstrom, der sich nicht eindämmen lässt |
 |
 |
Padre Cristián Moya H., el sacerdote que acompaña a la Comunidad de Con Con Father Cristian Moya H., the priest who accompanies the community of Con Con Pfarrer Cristian Moya H., der die Gemeinschaft von Con Con priesterlich begleitet |
|
 |
|
Madrugadores de Quillán en el encuentro en Los Angeles Dawn-breakers from Quillán at the encounter in Los Angeles Madrgudores aus Quillán beim Treffen in Los Angeles |
|
 |
|
Participaron unos 500 varones de todo Chile Some 500 men from all over Über 500 Männer aus ganz Chile nahmen daran teil |
|
 |
|
22 de Septiembre: Fundación en Valparaiso Septemner 22: Founding in Valparaíso 22. September: Gründung in Valparaíso |
|
 |
|
La comunidad de Valparaíso con madrugadores de Los Pinos y otras comunidades The community of Valparaíso with dawn-breakers from Los Pinos and other places Die Gemeinschaft von Valparaiso mit Freunden aus Los Pinos und anderen Orten |
|
 |
|
Varones, es su hora Men, this is your hour Die Stunde der Männer Fotos: Madrugadores © 2007 |
|
|
CHILE, Rodrigo Carvalho/mkf. It’s like an overflowing container. If one were to ask a Dawn-breaker: "Tell me something about the dawn…," the response would be a deluge of testimonies about new foundations in other countries like in Chile at Valparaíso. Founded on September 22nd, it was the last one to have the presence of the Bishop. Most of all, they can’t stop talking about the more than 500 Dawn-breakers at the retreat in Los Ángeles, Chile, at the end of August.
Luis Dave Esteban Giacamán Arce: The memory of what we experienced still excites us, undoubtedly the closing Holy Masses at the International Dawn-breakers had a special seal, which prolonged what each of us experienced at dawn in the days that followed, because we return to our homes and those moments we experienced are left behind, the embraces that were given and received, the experiences, the memorable moments of comradeship, says.
"I was profoundly impressed that the Schoenstatt Fathers’ presence at International Dawn-breakers was more evident than last year. Father Luis Ramirez, Father Iván Simicic, Father José Luis Correa; the first two presented us with beautiful reflections. I have no doubt that this stream of life is marking a milestone within the growth of Schoenstatt towards the broadest circles of the Church, just like our beloved Founding Father wanted. The companionship and the comradeship predominated this encounter, it was very satisfying to see friends that we met at previous journeys, as well as the new friends that we made during the group journeys of reflection… the fraternity in the midst of a throng of men is a balm for the soul in this cold and unattached world…" commented Juan Carlos Valenzuela, from Valdivia.
Marco Barrios added: "Neither the cold or the rain mattered; the only thing that we truly felt deeply was the mercy of our Father and to become aware that we only have to open our heart for so many marvels. I’m still thinking about the bishop’s and the priests’ phrases that referred to this great love that is expressed among these men who have found a new way of growing in Christ through their brothers. That is so true! I don’t remember feeling so well among so many people; I wanted to meet everyone who was around me. Upon seeing so many brothers . I was finally convinced that we have a Father who loves us."
Men, this is your hour
More than a month has passed since that retreat, and it’s noticeable that it was not a fleeting emotion. Each Community grows and is enriched in the shadow of the Schoenstatt Shrines, Wayside Shrines, Chapels, and parishes, these are our places of grace, we know and feel our Blessed Mother showing us and teaching us the way to her Son, Jesus. In its originality, each Community is free to develop a volunteer apostolate: some Communities support work at the jails, others in their parishes, in orphanages, and in the diocese. In Chile, some of the bishops along with their priests have found great diocesan support in the Dawn-breakers. We are a feasible alternative so that many men can know and others may reencounter Jesus and the Blessed Mother.
Rodrigo Carvalho, from the community of Los Pinos: "We have become accustomed that things pertaining to God are reserved only for women. Our stream of life invites men to collaborate in the needs of our Catholic Church, in the family and as spouses, fathers, as children, as professionals, as students in schools and universities. In each of our cases, the Lord needs us and that is where we should be, to be living testimonies, with all our strength and of course with all our weaknesses."
I have grown with this group of friends
The following is a testimony of Father Christián Moya H., a priest who accompanies the Community of Con Con, and who has an attachment with Schoenstatt through the Dawn-breakers, reflecting on what this stream of life means for the Church:
We ended the month of September with a Holy Mass. We had breakfast and after "our ears were pulled" we reflected on some of the tasks that we have… the idea is to always improve and to grow. Soon we will have been in the parish for two years, and we will have the opportunity to evaluate our activities more fully. As of now, my evaluation is positive...I have grown along with this group of friends with whom I have learned to become aware that faith is the fundamental element for life…it may sound strange that a priest would say this, but I am referring to the fact of discovering how the Lord and the Blessed Mother have worked miracles in the lives of many Dawn-breakers. And I am not the exception. The mere fact that they accompany me in the ministry is an important incentive for me; knowing that I can count on them, discovering that I am one of them in this walk has strengthened me as a consecrated person, and I appreciate this greatly.
I hope that all the priests that accompany communities have the same, rich experience that I have had…they encourage the priest to join them. In general, priests need the affection of their parishioners, and in a group such as this it is felt profoundly…"
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA / amj