Words which became a reality

October 18th in the Garden of Mary at Pejuahó, Argentina

Misa de Alianza Covenant Mass Während der Bündnismesse
Los misioneritos de Pehuajó Little Missionaries of Pehuajó Die kleinen Missionare aus Pehuajó Fotos: Hernandez © 2007

ARGENTINA, Susana Hernández. "You gather what I am aiming at: I would like to make this place a place of pilgrimage, a place of grace for our house and for the whole German province, and perhaps even further a field…" This was the bold plan which Father Joseph Kentenich, Spiritual Director of the Minor Seminary of the Pallottine Fathers, proposed to his young students on that 18^th of October of 1914, in the Schoenstatt Valley in Germany. He was inviting them to work with the aim of transforming the old Chapel of St. Michael into a Marian Shrine, "this sanctuary which has stood more or less neglected, desolate and bare for as long as we can remember, has been – because of us and at our instigation – restored and given to the Mother of God." It had been two months since the great European war that would become the First World War had exploded. Since that October day, more than nine decades have transpired. Father Kentenich died on September 15, 1968, but his words from that time have become a reality. The prophet was right. Or better still, the prophet detected God’s plan for that place. He discovered a source of grace – at that time there was a mere trickle of water – which today has become a powerful current of graces, of life, and ideas reaching many countries and all continents. The word Schoenstatt is pronounced in Paraguay, Australia, the USA, the Caribbean, South Africa, and India… and in Pehuajó, Argentina.

What Father Esteban Uriburu wrote in the prologue of his book about Schoenstatt as a place of pilgrimage had never been so strongly experienced as it was on October 18th. How impressive to see all the Shrines on the world map (www.santuarios.schoenstatt.de) and to think that in each place the day is marked with a celebration of that Covenant of Love, which was sealed on October 18, 1914. The thousands and thousands of Wayside Shrines where this experience is repeated also surround the sister Shrines. It is an impressive manifestation of faith, and each person wants to show the Blessed Mother that they love her with all their heart. October 18th was also experienced and marked by a profound affection for the Blessed Mother and Father in Pehuajó, a city in the Diocese of Nueve de Julio.

Sent from the parish

At the marvelous Wayside Shrine of Pehuajó, the rosary was prayed in the Garden of Mary –looking very spring-like with everything green and the altar covered with flowers. Then the renewal of missionary commitment in the parish was held. The Pilgrim MTA’s, covered with rose petals, waited at the altar for their missionaries. It was wonderful to see missionaries go forward to get their Pilgrim MTA, anxious to retrieve it quickly. The little missionaries were with their mothers, several youth, who had received the Pilgrim MTA for the first time this year, and a new missionary for the Pilgrim MTA of Serenity and Confidence were also present. A co-worker of Susana Hernández was also commissioned. The highlight was when Father Adolfo, for whom all this is entirely new, appeared at the altar with the book, What is Schoenstatt, by Father Carmona, Editorial Patris, Argentina, that Susana had given him at the beginning of the year. During the homily he read quotations of Father Kentenich and he related them to the readings of the day that were special for the occasion.

Some very touching moments were experienced and the "She is the great missionary, she will work miracles, " resounded louder than ever. It was an experience that is repeated anew. God works in the heart of men and through Mary’s love.

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