Field of Heaven, colony of heaven…
The Schoenstatt family from Rauch reflected, worked, and strengthened their attachments, and it was done with great joy
 |
| Jornada de la familia de Schoenstatt de Rauch, Argentina: todos juntos en el trabajo de hermosear el lugar Retreat of the Schoenstatt Family of Rauch, Argentina: all together helping to beautify the place Tagung der Schönstatt-Familie von Rauch, Argentinien: bei der gemeinsamen Arbeit auf dem Gelände wachsen Beziehungen |
 |
 |
Misioneras jovenes de Tandil Young missionaries from Tandil Junge Missionarinnen aus Tandil |
|
 |
|
Procesión a la ermita Procession to the way side shrine Prozession zum Bildstock |
|
 |
|
Juegos Time to play Entspannung beim Spiel |
|
 |
|
Dos chicas que este año sellarán su alianza de amor, pintan el cuadro en la ermita Two girls who will seal their Covenant of Love this year, painting the picture at the wayside shrine Zwei Mädchen, die dieses Jahr das Liebesbündnis schließen, malen das Bild des Bildstocks an |
|
 |
|
Taller Workshop Arbeitsgruppe Fotos: Zudaire © 2008 |
|
|
ARGENTINA, mfa/abz. Sunday, April 6th, the anniversary of Father Kentenich’s release from Dachau, the Schoenstatt Family from Rauch –in the central southern province of Buenos Aires – gathered at the Field of Heaven, a beautiful place where there is a wayside shrine of the Blessed Mother, the Pilgrims’ House, and if it is in God’s plan, a Shrine will be built in the future.
Everything was planned ahead of time, including some beautiful printed invitations and a schedule of the program sent by email. Sunday, April 6th, was a sunny day with a cool breeze and impressive blue sky. The representatives from all the Family Branches and the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign missionaries were welcomed at the Pilgrims’ House, which had been impeccably prepared by the Mothers’ Branch.
Very early two volunteers from the Family Work had lit the wood in the grill that was under the trees as they prepared the coals for the noon barbeque. At 9:30 a.m. vehicles carrying the many participants began to arrive one after the other. The Field of Heaven is only three kilometers from the center of Rauch, a small city surrounded by broad fields, where cereals sent around the world are cultivated.
The mission of carrying out Father’s charism
The Pilgrims’ House was like a magnet that attracted everyone who arrived. There were happy greetings and encounters. The young couples and a group of missionary adolescents from Tandil (the other city of the Diocese of Azul where the Schoenstatt Movement is established, about 70 kilometers from Rauch) were joyfully welcomed. They also participated in this conference. Then there was a procession to the Wayside Shrine, which included a large photo of the Shrine and another one of Father Kentenich. The opening prayer was said before the Blessed Mother and petitions were made for the most pressing needs: for the nation, which is undergoing a hard times, for peace, for justice, for truth…for the Church its disciples and missionaries, and it is made concrete in the parish and in the apostolic work of each individual, and for the meeting on this day.
Upon returning to the house, there was a motivational talk by Sister Maria Andrea, adviser of the movement in the Diocese of Azul: "As we proceed towards Schoenstatt’s centennial, we invoke the Father and Founder in the 40th Anniversary of his death." Then the participants chose the subjects to be discussed during the workshops, which would help them apply the reflection to their lives. This most important task is the mission of carrying out Father’s charism and of strengthening the local Schoenstatt Family spiritually as well as increasing in numbers. This is a year of mission for the Diocese of Azul, which will celebrate its 75th Anniversary very soon.
The groups spread out among the trees or in the sunshine, according to their preference, and their conversations were very animated. Then it was time for lunch. Tables were quickly set up outdoors, and they had a delicious meal of barbeque and bread. Many people had brought salads of all kinds, drinks, and desserts so it was a complete meal. Above all it was a family meal because of the sharing among the different branches, ages, life styles, etc.
Hands at work!
After lunch the work to beautify the place began: some cut the grass, others worked on the flower beds, some dry branches were cut, the entrance gate and the Field of Heaven sign indicating that this is the home of the Schoenstatt Family in Rauch were painted.
Yes, it was truly a piece of heaven. Many of the participants said: "This place is so beautiful! I prayed at the Wayside Shrine and I felt very small before the immensity of heaven…" "The people from Rauch are so friendly! And they are so generous!" (This was said by someone from Tandil). There is so much love for Schoenstatt, so many sacrifices are joyfully made to conquer this place, which becomes more beautiful as time passes, and above all it is filled with the spiritual presence of the Blessed Mother! May it not only be a Field of Heaven; but may it especially be a Colony of Heaven just as the Father and Founder pointed out in Home Song.
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/amj