Missionaries of Christ, with Mary, for the world of today

National Conference of Dawn-breakers from Chile in Temuco

Grupo de Madrugadores Group of Dawn Breakers Gruppe von Madrugadores
Coro Choir Musikalische Gestaltung
La Misa Folklorica  en Ayinrehue... terminó con pie de cueca After the Folclore Mass in Ayinrehue ... a cueca followed Nach der Folklore-Messe in Ayinrehue… folgten typische Tänze
Santa Misa en la catedral de Temuco Holy Mass in the cathedral of Temuco Heilige Messe in der Kathedrale von Temuco
Tomaron  las calles de Temuco, la Plaza, la puerta de la catedral... They “conquered” the streets of Temuco , the plaza, the portal of the cathedral Wenn über 400 Männer laut singend durch die Straßen ziehen…
Con Mons. Camilo Vial With Bishop  Camilo Vial Mit Bischof Camilo Vial Fotos: Galarce /Carvalho © 2008-08-21 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

CHILE, Octavio Galarce Barrera/rep/mkf. Missionaries of Christ, with Mary for the world of today: this was the motto for the Dawn-breakers from all the Chilean communities from, which gathered in Temuco on August 16^th and 17^th. They were welcomed to the 10^th National Conference by the host communities from the Ayinrehue Shrine, Temuco and from the Saint John the Baptist’s Parish.

It is difficult to write about what was experienced during those days, when the most important and transcendental things happened in the hearts and souls of each participant. It is what each person holds as a treasured memory, which left unforgettable marks in the lives of almost 400 participants.

Those people with the blue and yellow jackets

Representatives of Dawn-breaker communities arrived from all over the country. For example, some people who arrived in one bus were from Rancagua, from Bellavista, Nuevo Belén, Maipú, the Parish of Jesus the Master, Buin-maipo, and San Fernando. Among those attending were forty-four Dawn-breakers from the Valparaiso Diocese, fifteen from Placilla ("with all the commotion it seemed like fifty"), Cordillera, Agua Santa, Con Con, Quillota, Quilpué, Los Pinos, and two Dawn-breakers from the future Community of Lourdes Parish in Cerro Placeres. Enrique Fullá tells about his trip: "Just like last time, the first stop was at Pronto de San Francisco de Mostazal, where we were reunited with our brothers from Copiapó, who were making a morning stop, showers were included at this stop. The place was full, so we decided to continue; we had breakfast in Chimbarongo. More to the south, close to Chillán, we had to stop at El Pronto at the south exit; we had another surprise, just when we said at last, ‘a Pronto without people in blue and yellow jackets,’ Andrés R. a Dawn-breaker from Providencia was seated along with his little boys having breakfast. But, just like yellow jacket wasps, where there is one, more appear, soon we saw a new bus in the parking lot with forty-two Dawn-breakers from Viña del Mar…A beautiful rainbow at Temuco greeted our arrival …"

A testimony in each one of the mysteries of the Rosary

The Conference began with the Eucharist; Bishop Manuel Camilo Vial presided. It was a Holy Day of obligation, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. After Holy Mass, around 9:30 p.m., those who had not registered quickly went in search of the registration packets in addition to the packets, they received a bag, pencil, and a warm neck scarf; the latter was provided because of the low temperatures – and not because of the rain – this became the item that was most used and appreciated by everyone.

On Saturday at 7:00 a.m., they gathered in the La Salle School chapel to pray a meditated rosary, and there was a testimony for each mystery from five Dawn-breakers representing different communities.

Father Rafael Fernández presented a motivational talk, in which he explained the necessity of cultivating a Marian style and spirit in our personal life. Not only "with Mary"; but that "in" and "like" Mary lived her faith. The Dawn-breakers are called to be missionaries of Christ in their daily lives, in the everyday things, and in the small and simple things. After Father Rafael’s talk and before breakfast, there were group discussions and a time for reflection. In the afternoon, Bishop Manuel Camilo Vial helped them to go deeper and to understand the second part of the motto.

A folkloric night

A visit to the Schoenstatt Shrine – Ayinrehue – which is celebrating the 40^th Anniversary of its blessing, concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist. During the Mass, there were several signs, gestures, and very pleasant surprises. Upon entering they were given a beautiful souvenir, a volcanic rock on a wooden base with the inscription, "Upon this rock I will build my Church."(Matt:16:18) A folkloric group was in charge of the songs for the Holy Mass, and at the end, they greeted the Blessed Mother with an esquinazo, a dance by a couple, which includes circular movements with a long cloth, but in this case, the cloth was three feet long. The most admired presentation was the second one by Pablito, from the community of Copiapó, who is around either eight or ten years old, and is already an experienced Dawn-breaker, since he has attended the last three national Conferences. He danced and he did it brilliantly. The happy audience shouted with joy!

The Dawn-breaker Cantata was another outstanding moment. The presentations by the communities had to be limited to two songs per group. God has blessed them with a fantastic talent. Of course there are those from communities such as Los Ángeles, Puerto Montt, and others who have outstanding voices, and they play their instruments very well. Their performances should not be missed!

Who are these men?

The closing Holy Mass for the Conference was celebrated at the Cathedral, with the usual parishioners attending, so the Bishop explained who these men were who filled the church to capacity…The Mass was the highlight. Besides concluding all the activities as a Latin American and Caribbean Church, they were included in the Great Continental Mission. For this reason, they strongly and enthusiastically sang: "Missionaries of Christ, with Mary for the world of today"…a couple of times with loud voices.

"We took the streets of Temuco, the Square, and the door to the Cathedral; we went on pilgrimage from the school, which was our headquarters, to the Cathedral singing loudly…" relates one of the participants. Who would be surprised that they were featured in many newscasts?

Moments of fraternity and of impetus to continue

"The Conference was good, with their encouragement, joy, and motivation the participants make these Conferences a moment of great fraternity and of impetus to continue growing and struggling for a better world with the motto (including music), Missionaries of Christ, with Mary for the world of today," said one Dawn-breaker.

"What impressed me was to see boys and adolescent Dawn-breakers, from ten years old and on up, participating with their fathers arm to arm in all the activities," commented a Dawn-breaker from Valdivia.

During the farewell and almost with one foot on the bus, they were reminded and invited: "We’ll see you in Rancagua for the 11^th International Conference on October 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th 2009."

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