Many generations have been formed by Father Hernan’s books, and many have learned to love Schoenstatt through them!

Father Hernán Alessandri died in Chile on Covenant Day, December 18^th

P. Hernán Alessandri Fr. Hernán Alessandri P. Hernán Alessandri
Fundador de „Maria Ayuda“ Founder of „Maria Ayuda“ Gründer von „Maria Ayuda“
Asesor de la Obra Familiar Assistant of the Family Movement Geistlicher Begleiter der Familienbewegung Fotos gentileza de Raoul Meunier © 2007
Frente del Santuario de Bellavista In front of the Shrine in Bellavista Vor dem Heiligtum in Bellavista
Sus hermanos de curso le acompañan His course brothers accompany him Begleitung durch seinen Kurs Fotos: Cintolesi/Ortiz © 2007 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

CHILE, MKF. Father Hernán Alessandri died on December 18^th, Covenant Day. His funeral was held on Wednesday the 19^th at 3:00 p.m. in the Church of the Holy Spirit of the Schoenstatt Shrine in Bellavista; Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, concelebrated with two bishops – Monsignor Camilo Vial, and Monsignor Andres Arteaga and a large number of Schoenstatt Fathers. The news of his death caused sorrow and precious memories were recalled throughout the Schoenstatt world. During the course of the day, on the 18^th. the media in Chile covered this event widely.

He was gifted with an extraordinary intelligence, he knew how to express great theological truths in a simple and straightforward manner, and at the same time he had a great simplicity, a priestly fatherhood, and a kindness that impressed many. He was also outstanding for being a permanent collaborator in important events of the Church. He wrote hundreds of articles, especially related with family pastoral; he presented many conferences and he continued writing until his health impeded it. He titled his last book:

" Schoenstatt’s Proposal for Evangelization", it was a work of synthesis, where he showed the convergence of the thinking of Pope John Paul and the charisma of the Founder of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement. Father Alessandri also participated as a theologian in the Vatican and he was consulted by Chilean bishops, through the Episcopal Conference. He actively participated in the Latin American Episcopal Conference as an advisor, professor and as a member of the reflection team. He was one of the editors of the final document of the Conference of Puebla (Mexico, 1979).

In 1983 he founded the social work "Mary Helps", a non-profit corporation that from the Schoenstatt Shrine presently shelters 1,400 children, who are victims of abuse and their families.

At the age of 60 his health began to deteriorate which slowly disconnected him from the world that surrounded him, until he was bedridden the last 9 years, offering his sacrifice and pain in an exemplary way.

It is a great loss for Schoenstatt

"It is very sad for me, unfortunately I was unable to attend his funeral, but from Venezuela I made sure that we prayed for the repose of his soul", writes Jaime Montoya, from Venezuela. "The last time I saw him was four years ago, I was accompanied by Father Humberto Anwandter and we prayed at his side, unfortunately he no longer recognized me, it was clear that he did not recognize anyone…Some people thought that he recognized them, but he could not make any kind of gesture because of his physical state.

I met him since before he was a priest and previously on one occasion he accompanied the Branch of Professional Men (the Branch to which I belong), in the Retreat for Holy Week that sometimes took place outside of Bellavista. On these trips we were able to get to know him better. When I was in Chile several years ago, I cooperated with him in editing some of his books. On that occasion I could experience the quality of his person, his ability as a writer, and his outstanding intelligence and imagination. It is a great loss for Schoenstatt".

Father Hernán thank you, until we meet in heaven

Father Antonio Cosp, Director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Paraguay, recognizes him as a great founder of Schoenstatt in Paraguay. "If the founding of Schoenstatt in Paraguay is May 31, 1959, when the Chilean seminarians, Hernán Alessandri and José Manuel López arrived from Santa Maria, and the recently degreed lawyer from Buenos Aires, Esteban Uriburu came, the Movement was composed of four people who were beginning their first steps in the rich world of Schoenstatt. After they returned after almost eight days, they left a group," The heart as a shield" of 13 youth. . The large photo that is in the entry hall of the Fathers; House (in Asunción) was taken by him that is why he is not in the picture. As the first group from Paraguay, we entirely taken by his rich personality and his marked words, full of ideals, he marked all of us forever during those first years".

Ramón and Marité Marini, members of the International Board of the Family Federation, wrote to Father Mariano Irrureta, Provincial of the Pentecost Province of Schoenstatt Fathers, to which Father Hernán belonged: "Father Hernán remained etched in our hearts from the moment that he brought the first picture of our Mother and Queen to Paraguay, which he held against the window of the plane while it landed saying to it: CONQUER IT!

We are sure that since that moment we were accompanied with the prayers and blessing of Father Hernán, who could present God and the Blessed Mother, in such a profound way, this was his work.

How many generations have been formed with the books by Father Hernán, how many of us have learned to love Schoenstatt, to love our Father and Founder through is words and from his testimony, through his silent giving of self, from his total offering of self to God.

And we have to be grateful to Him for the gift he gave through the life of Father Hernán, with his constant work to help us to love the Church, especially in the work that he could not finish, but that the words of Father Joaquin describe with singular beauty: "…It could also be said that this book is a mosaic, it is window, it is a cascade of reflections."

He departure on the 18^th is a special seal of love from Blessed Mother, whom he served loyally

"Today, a son of the Covenant of our Father has departed to live in the final Covenant. The Diocese of Quilmes ( to which New Schoenstatt, Argentina belongs) prays the One Thousand Hail Marys in the Shrine of the Father every 18^th, and when they heard about the death of Father Hernán Alessandri we included him in the intention of his eternal rest and in gratitude for what we have received from him through his books, especially, "Father Kentenich", "History of Schoenstatt", etc. His departure on the 18^th is a special seal of love from the Blessed Mother whom he served loyally! We give thanks for him and we spiritually accompany his course brothers, the Institutes of the Fathers and his relatives", reads one of the many messages that arrived by email from the entire world.

"His Retreats on Holy Saturday meant so much for many of us! And his giving of self flourished so much! And we have already begun today, on Covenant Day, to ask that he intercede for each one of us and for abundant and holy vocations." writes the Arosemena couple from Ecuador, on behalf of the Family Federation from that country.

I met Father Alessandri in Chile in the year 1974. I remember him with his "princely" stance and his closeness to the supernatural. I always admired him for his intelligence and his love of Schoenstatt that was manifested in the books he wrote with such simplicity and depth that one could imagine or tangibly experience the descriptions or concepts that he transmitted in them.

Surely, on this Covenant Day, which he celebrated with such devoutness, the Founding Father gave him to our Mother Thrice Admirable. Now he will "play with the Child Jesus, like another small and joyful "child", writes Maria Piedad Medina, from the Women’s Apostolic League in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

A great one has left. When someone from Family dies, who knew the Father, one of the founding generation, the light of Father Kentenich’s charisma shines even more; in one way or another, he has the privilege of participating in everything that is the Covenant of Love. Each "Personal Ideal", each personal mission that leaves, leaves us in awe, with respect and with gratitude for the world that God has created in a person. And he calls us to a profound renewal in our own mission that was given to us in the Covenant of Love.

The joy that is not lost remains, what each person was remains, Father Hernán Alessandri remains. We know that the cycle to fulfill his earthly mission will be passed on. We will not leave him without a task in heaven!

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA