May your faithful people, surrounding the table of the altar, celebrate the Easter memorial

Consecration and dedication of Saint Joseph’s Pilgrim Church on the Schoenstatt grounds Belén de Escobar, Argentina

Adoración Adoration Anbetung
Adoración del Santisimo Sacramento Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament Aussetzung des Allerheiligsten in der Monstranz
Santa Misa Holy Mass Heilige Messe
La iglesia, antes de la bendición The church, short before the blessing Kurz vor der Einweihung
Estatua de San José Statue of St. Joseph Statue des heiligen Josef
Estatua de San Pablo Statue of St. Paul Statue des heiligen Paulus Fotos: Susana Urrutía © 2008

ARGENTINA, Susana Urrutia. With the grace of the Pauline Year recently inaugurated in Rome by his Holiness Benedict XVI and on the day of the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, a large group of people gathered June 29^th, in joy and gratitude, around the Shrine of the Mother Thrice Admirable Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt in Belén de Escobar for the solemn celebration of the consecration and the dedication of the Saint Joseph’s Pilgrim Church, which was built to extend the area around the Shrine.

The rite of consecration and dedication of this church was celebrated by the Most Reverend, Zárate-Campana Diocesan Bishop, Monsignor Doming Sarlinga and concelebrated by seventeen priests.

The day of celebration began at the Shrine with a greeting, consecration to the beloved Mother and Queen, and giving thanks to her for taking possession of this place by establishing her Throne of Grace on these grounds six years ago.

Then there was a procession from the Shrine to the main entrance of Saint Joseph’s, where the rite of consecration and dedication of the church began. A magnificent choir of fifty people accompanied the Liturgy from the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, elevating the solemnity and joy of the rite even more and increasing the heavenly atmosphere experienced on this day.

A holy place forever

Father Benjamin Pereira, Diocesan Advisor of the Schoenstatt Family in this area, welcomed everyone. Next, Fernando Carlucci and Pio Uriburu, who represented everyone who worked on the construction of the Church, presented the keys to the sanctuary to Bishop Sarlinga. Then, the Bishop opened the main door of the church.

The guide of the Liturgy introduced this moment with the words: "Today, we have gathered for the first time in this new Church, Saint Joseph’s Pilgrim Church, which has been reserved for a sacred and special reason, in which the Christian community will gather to listen to the Word of God, to pray in unity, to receive the sacraments and to celebrate the Eucharist. We offer this church to the Blessed Trinity, we present it to the Universal Church in the person of his Holiness Benedict XVI and through the hands of our Bishop."

After imploring the intercession of the Church Triumphant through chanting the Litany of the Saints, the Bishop placed the relics of the saints and the Liturgical Ceremony Document in the place that was prepared at the foot of the altar. The relics of the altar of this church belong to Saint Juliana Falconieri, Saint Alejandro Maria Sauli, and to Saint Pius X. While this was taking place, a brief summary of the lives of these saints was read.

They listened with feeling to the beautiful prayer of Dedication of the Church after which the altar and the walls of the Church were anointed with the holy chrism and they were incensed.

Lord, we pray
that you will pour out
celestial holiness to this
Church and altar,
so that they will always be a holy place
and that the table will be prepared for the
sacrifice of Christ.
Here the waters of divine grace
will cover the sins of men,
so that, Father, their children dead to sin,
will be reborn into divine life.
Here your faithful, surrounding the table of the altar,
will celebrate the Easter memorial
and they will be strengthened with the nourishment
of the Word and the Body of Christ…"
During the Offertory procession, the symbols of spiritual conquest and the construction material of the Pilgrim’s Church were presented along with the Bread and Wine; the Capital of Grace was symbolized with twelve red roses, representing the twelve million Hail Marys that were prayed during this time.

A day full of grace

After Communion, Bishop Sarlinga incensed the Blessed Sacrament on the altar, and then he incensed it again in the beautiful and new Tabernacle.

After a few minutes of silent Adoration, Father Periera read the Papal Blessing for this Church, followed by Mrs. Maria Soledad Valcarce, representing the Regional Council of the Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, who expressed gratitude and presented some gifts.

Bishop Sarlinga proceeded to bless the icon of Saint Joseph, and everyone prayed the prayer to Saint Joseph, which had accompanied them throughout the time the Church was being built. Meanwhile the choir sang the Hymn of Saint Joseph, and the children from the catechism classes presented flowers and flags.

Father Periera read the Decree of the Plenary Indulgence that was given to the Church of Saint Joseph by Bishop Sarlinga, which was a very special gift for Schoenstatt and the Church.

The Eucharist concluded with the solemn blessing by the Bishop and by the singing of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

The celebration continued with a buffet luncheon, where everyone could share the experience of the day.

This unforgettable day, full of grace, ended with Adoration and the Solemn Blessing with the Holy Sacrament in the Church, which had just been blessed, presided over by the Secretary of the Apostolic Nuncio of his Holiness in Argentina, Bishop Alberto Perlasca.

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