Becoming a family: Our Nation celebrates
Crowning Mary, Queen of peace and unity for a Family Nation
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Madre ven, ¡ Recibe la corona ! Monseñor José María Arancibia, Arzobispo de Mendoza ingresando al Santuario Accept the crown! Archbishop José María Arancibia, of Mendoza, enters the Shrine Wir schenken dir die Krone! Erbischof José Mar ía Arancibia von Mendoza trägt die Krone ins Heiligtum |
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El sol brillaba en Mendoza y los corazones en torno al Altar. Radiant sunshine around the Shrine and in the hearts as well Die Sonne strahlte in Mendoza und in den Herzen der Anwesenden Fotos: Michelini © 2008 |
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ARGENTINA, Rufino and Catalina Michelin. On August 22nd, the annual Celebration of Queen Mary was held at the Shrine, FATHER’S NAZARETH: LAND OF UNITY, in the Province of Mendoza.
The preparations for the most traditional and well-attended celebration of the Family from Mendoza began at dawn on Sunday the 24th; this year the Rosary Campaign organized it with much love and self-sacrifice.
The first group of people began to arrive at noon. The daring pilgrims walked from far points of the city and even from neighboring towns; they arrived to greet our beloved Mother and Queen in her La Puntilla Shrine. Several buses were parking while the caravans of cars also were parking on the grounds nearby forming a multitude of several hundreds that filled the foot of the small hill, where the Shrine is located. This Shrine generates much life and attracts thousands of pilgrims year after year.
The opening ceremony began with the triumphant entry of the Argentinean flag, followed by the flag from Mendoza, and then the Papal flag, which were carried by flag bearers from God the Father School; while a sea of little flags welcomed them, and the choir sang different songs, which provided a solemn welcome.
The Pastor and Family crown their Mother
The Holy Mass began punctually at 4:00 p.m., presided by Monsignor José Maria Aranibia, Archbishop of Mendoza. With great clarity, the Archbishop invited the participants to reflect on their faith and to educate it to become like Mary’s: a living faith that is tested and on a mission. This faith not only enjoys the presence of the Lord and rejoices in Him; it also takes Him to others, and most of all to those who have fallen away.
The ceremony was very impressive, and there was a comment about how it was very touching to see the different pictures of the Blessed Mother accompanying the celebration that were ready to out to meet the families that are visited every month. There was even a gigantic Pilgrim MTA!
The celebration ended with a large pilgrimage to the Shrine led by Archbishop Arancibia, who carried the crown of flowers for the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt, who was waiting for the participants.
The crowning was very touching. Many of those present cried with emotion, and they prayed in unison to Mary asking that in exchange for the Crown of flowers, she would give them peace and unity, and transform them into missionaries disciples of Christ to develop a Family for the Nation. A family on the move and for the Nation!
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/amj