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Estatua de la Sagrada Familia, Santuario de Tuparenda Statue of the Holy Family, Shrine in Tuparenda Statue der Heiligen Familie im Heiligtum von Tuparenda Fotos: Schoenstatt Paraguay © 2008 |
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PARAGUAY, Fr. Antonio Cosp. "We have concluded a commitment to our parish today and we could not miss on Tuparenda," commented the first family who arrived early on December 30th, the Feast of the Holy Family. All night it poured down rain and thundered but the lounge was filled. For many, the memory of three years ago when the beautiful image carved in wood was enthroned in the Shrine was still very much alive. "Here the gifts of Mary, our Mother, are experienced. Here I asked the Virgin for the gift of a son, and today I bring her gift of the child as he celebrates his first year," a woman testified.
As the message that day, what Father Kentenich said was emphasized: Family implies that "noble hearts beat with affection and bear with each other …" and also from St. Paul, "Bearing with one another…(Col. 3:13)," since it isn’t easy for us as people to change, for him it was necessary to allow each one to be who they are…. At the end, parents hugged their children and blessed them.
The Blessed Mother is established in the car
Many remained for the blessing of the car shrines. One incentive by a group of youth and supported by the parents was having the MTA established in a car shrine since a good deal of time is spent in their cars. They are committed to showing over time the growth in their inner life through deeds that they accomplish such as: being able to observe the driving laws through proper handling of their cars and driving friendly. As this group of young people grew they are now passing the torch to another group of youth. They now dedicate themselves to the Youth Shrine.
A few minutes more and...
Something special! Lorena, who was pregnant with her first baby, accepted an invitation from her boss to share this Mass in Tuparenda. During the readings, she began to experience the first contractions of labor, so they brought her a wheelchair to help make her more comfortable. Shortly after, her doctor, who was also providentially at the Eucharist, decided to rush her to the nearest hospital. A few minutes later and a baby boy would have been born in the car! When asked what she would name him, the mother answered, "Karem." And someone suggested, and MARIA JOSEPH… which she liked and agreed. Meanwhile in his homily, the priest had just said that the Blessed Mother in Tuparenda had concentrated her graces on the family. How many more had flowed this day!