In these times, may the Shrines of Our Lady of Schoenstatt be lights of unity, peace and renewal for all the people of God at the

One Thousand Hail Marys for the Nation in the Shrine of Villa Ballester, Argentina

Invitación a todos... An invitation to all... Eine Einladung an alle...
La Auxiliar acompañando a la oración The Auxiliary accompanied the prayer Die Auxiliar begleitet das Gebet
El Santuario, lleno de gente que reza The Shrine filled with people who came to pray Das Heiligtum füllte sich mit Betern
Momento de meditación Moment of meditation Nachdenken über die Werte, die ein Volk zusammenhalten
Después de cada uno de los 20 rosarios, se entregó un rosario a la Auxiliar After each one of the 20 rosaries prayed, a rosary was given to the Auxiliary Nach jedem der 20 Rosenkränze, die gebetet wurden, übergab man einen der Auxiliar Fotos: Ivaldi © 2008

ARGENTINA, Sussana Primatesta. "We went on pilgrimage to the Shrines and wayside shrines to pray a Rosary for Peace and Unity, firmly asking Mary, Mother of the Argentineans, to illumine minds, to open hearts and to lead the will of those in conflict towards a re-encounter and peace". In the Covenant Letter – which has become a guiding star for the Schoenstatt Movement and beyond at these times of worry and anxiety, Father Arteaga, writes: In these times, may the Shrines of Our Lady of Schoenstatt be lights of unity, peace and renewal for all the people of God. Difficult times demand a greater giving of self in the Covenant. As disciples of Christ, and with Father Kentenich’s example, let us build the Nation with the soul of a Family.

This Covenant Letter was received with open hearts within the Rosary Campaign of Villa Ballester; like a call to arms - with the rosary being the arms.

Among other things the letter stated: "Every hour the situation of our Nation, Argentina, becomes more and more complicated. There are no perspectives to solve the conflict for a reasonable life; we feel wounded and overwhelmed."…

"Truth: is manipulated"…
"Justice: is placed in doubt"…
"Authority: the credibility in the authorities is in play, because their actions are not trusted"…
"Unity: there is no consciousness of a sense of value for "unity in diversity"…we continue with a confrontational attitude"…
"Social Peace: all of this places the peaceful living together as a people into play…
"On June 18^th, I invite those who call for confrontation, to unite in a day of prayer for peace and unity".

Answering the call

This is what they did in Villa Ballester: "Father, your inheritance, our Mission". They extended an invitation through the local radio station. They responded by praying the One Thousand Hail Marys for the Nation. Many, many missionaries, brothers and sisters in the Covenant and pilgrims, who saw the poster: "we are praying for the Nation" attended; they joined in, shared in the prayers and continued on their way after giving the heavy load of the lack of peace, to our Mother. She is Victorious and that is how she accompanied our Founder and the sodalists during times of war. How well She understands what we are experiencing! How well our Father knows about this!

"When persecution constantly pursues me
And every meadow becomes a desert:
Father, look with mercy on our family
and for its sake reveal your wondrous love. (Heavenwards, American edition, p. 124)

They were invited to pray Psalm 144 for Argentina:

Reach out your hand from on high;
deliver me from the many waters;
rescue me from the hands of foreign foes;
Their mouths speak untruth;
their right hands are raised in lyingoaths.*
May our sons be like plants"
well nurtured from their youth.
Our daughters, like carved columns,
shapely as those of the temple.
May our barns be full
with every kind of store.
May our sheep increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our field;
may our oxen be well fattened.
May there be no breach in the walls,
No exile, no outcry in our streets."
Happy the people so blessed;
happy the people whose God is the Lord."

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA