New life flourishes in Los Pinos

First Anniversary celebration of the Shrine of Los Pinos, Reñaca, Chile

Un simbolo de gratitud durante la Misa A sign of gratitude during Mass Ein Dankeszeichen bei der Messe
Santa Misa con Mons. Gonzalo Duarte Holy Mass con Bishof Gonzalo Duarte Heilige Messe mit Bischof Gonzalo Duarte
Oración final Final prayers Schlussgebete
Juegos en la pausa Games In der Pause gab es Spiele
A la hora de la bendición: procesión desde la ermita al Santuario At the hour of the blessing: Procession from the wayside shrine to the Shrine In der Stunde der Einweihung: Prozession vom Bildstock zum Heiligtum
Con flores a María... With flowers to Mary… Mit Blumen zu Maria Fotos: Francisco Yáñez © 2007

CHILE, Rodrigo Carvalho. For weeks there was an atmosphere of anticipation in the place motivating everyone to celebrate the First Anniversary of the founding of the Blessed Mother in the Shrine of Los Pinos as a Family. A card file was created so that people could write their thoughts, greeting, or expression of gratitude to most holy Mary. Preparations were made on Saturday, the 3^rd, since the Diocesan Bishop, Monsignor Gonzalo Duarte, would preside at the Eucharist for the anniversary on Sunday. So the long desired date of November 4, 2007 arrived, around five hundred people were expected…this estimate turned out to be wrong: more than a thousand people attended. Every place was filled with people who wanted to participate in this celebration.

The Holy Mass began at the esplanade of the Shrine with the entrance procession of the celebrants: Bishop Gonzalo Duarte, Father Mariano Irrureta, Regional Superior of the Schoenstatt Fathers, Father Mario, Father Alfonso, Father Patricio, and Father Andrés Larrain. When Father Larrain was fulfilling his practicum as a seminarian, he was the small instrument who invited some Pioneers and Crusaders to jump the fence to place their Wayside Shrine among the dunes and the pine trees at the side of the school. Who could imagine that this action would mean that today they would have a Shrine at this place?

A united and happy family

Laurita and Felipe Murillo, the coordinators, extended the greeting and they introduced all the members of this Family who carried flowers in their hands and placed them at the foot of the altar. The procession consisted of: The Ladies and Pilgrims, Pioneers and Allies, the Dawnbreakers, Couples, the Boys’ and Girls’ University Youth, representatives of the Founding Cenacle of the Shrine, and Crusaders and Apostles of Mary.

The Holy Mass continued in the usual manner, during the homily the Bishop invited us to be like Zacchaeus, to be people who in spite of their sins and failings are willing to correct their mistakes and invite Jesus to their home. At the offertory the Maiz Family took the bread and the wine to the altar. The number of people who had come was truly noticeable during Communion: more extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers were needed to facilitate this special moment when Christ is received.

The Family of Los Pinos prepared a magazine full of testimonies to show who is who: each Branch was represented, many told what being at the Shrine has meant to them, and what it means for others to wholeheartedly join so that this place will flourish with new life.

Remove your sandals, because you are stepping on holy ground

After Mass the participants enjoyed lunch among the beautiful pine trees. Some brought their picnic baskets and others enjoyed the exquisite food that was prepared for this occasion. Then there was time to share, have fun, and play until 5:00 p.m. This was the exact time that the MTA had taken possession of the Shrine of Los Pinos one year ago. The Family celebrated this moment in which the great desire of the Family was fulfilled: that She would be Mother, Queen and Educator for many from this place.

The celebration began at the Wayside Shrine, which had sheltered them for many years and that continues to do so especially during the Sunday Masses.

From this place they traveled in the same way that the picture of the Blessed Mother had been taken after visiting many homes and families to then arrive at the Shrine.

Felipe Murillo invited those who wanted to do it to remove their shoes to express in this manner their belief of the biblical words that Father Kentenich cited in Bellavista: "Remove your sandals, because you are stepping on holy ground." Many stories have been experienced and some have even offered their life so that this place will be holy ground.

Accompanied by two beautiful choirs, each person took a flower and carried it on this pilgrimage to the Shrine: Founding Cenacle and Los Pinos, who invited us to profoundly experience this beautiful moment. The flowers were left at the shrine two by two or by families, offering them to the Blessed Mother. Along with the flowers were the prayers and the emotions. After almost an hour, when everyone had deposited their flowers, the Hymn of the Family was sung.

Of course the song, Happy Birthday, had to be sung followed by delicious cake and coffee. The return home began after 6:00 p.m. while some stayed to clean and to put things in order.

Mother, nothing without you

Our hearts are filled for having celebrated the first anniversary of the blessing of the Shrine and for having relived the immense celebration of November 4, 2006.

Now the task the Lord and the Blessed Mother ask of the their children continues: to bring abundant contributions to the Capital of Grace and to be welcoming instruments so that new families, youth, ladies, dawnbreakers, and pilgrims will come to this place of grace.

Mother, nothing without you, nothing without us. Los Pinos is flourishing with new life.

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