"This dear Blessed Mother with such beautiful eyes and gaze…"

A year full of blessings and joy for the missionaries from the community of Saints Peter and Paul in Bahía Blanca

En el momento de la presentación a Mons. Mayer (arzobispo Emérito de Bahía Blanca). Presentation of the picture to Archbishop Mayer Das Bild wir dem Alt-Erzbischof überreicht
Misioneras junto a la Mater entronizada Missionaries of the Campaign with the picture Missionare der Kampagne beim Bild in der Kapelle Foto: Diana Zunini © 2008

ARGENTINA, Alicia Granieri. Missionaries from the White Lily Group of the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt experienced a year full of blessings and joy. We also belong to the chapel of Saints Peter and Paul in Bahía Blanca, and during the past few months, a San Roque Parish mission administered by the Barnabas Fathers. We have prepared for much more activity this year.

Twenty years ago, in 1988, we began a mission. We were always very united and at the service of the chapel, taking care of different tasks, participating as a group, and going on missions in the community. At one time, we thought about erecting a wayside shrine for the Blessed Mother, but it did not happen, so we continued with our work. We remained dedicated by contributing to the Capital of Grace in order to grow and spread the Campaign, and the Schoenstatt Movement. We also visited the Mother and Queen of the People Shrine at Paso Mayor. We always gathered for the One Thousand Hail Marys on May 31st, in which the community and pilgrims of the Blessed Mother participated; we prayed the rosary before Mass, etc.

A picture of the Blessed Mother for the Chapel

This year was the 20th Anniversary of the Chapel, and we decided to donate a picture of the Blessed Mother! We felt She should be at the chapel when we arrived to pray the Rosary, so She could accompany us. Once we were decided, we united to make more contributions to the Capital of Grace; asking that if the Blessed Mother wanted this, that She manifest herself, and that it would not be a problem for the pastor to accept. During the preparations for June 29th, the day of our Patron Saints and of the Anniversary, we spoke to the pastor, Father Miguel Angel, and the members of the commission; they accepted our proposal. "Mary had revealed herself." We continued to pray with much joy, and furthermore, we had to frame the picture. When we took the picture to be framed, the lady who waited on us asked about "this little Blessed Mother with such beautiful eyes and gaze," stating that wasn’t familiar with her. She diligently looked for the correct frame, and she mounted the picture; it was beautiful. When we were ready to pay, the lady said she wanted to donate it...the Blessed Mother had captivated her, and she felt happy to do it. As a token of our appreciation, we gave her a holy card and the book, Garden of Mary, promising to return to visit her and to continue talking and teaching her about the Blessed Mother and Her Shrine.

Father’s translator

Bishop Emeritus, Jorge Mayer, Pastor, Miguel Angel Panes, and Father José Conti concelebrated the Mass for Saints Peter and Paul. It was a very touching celebration in which the Pauline Year was announced. During the offering, three missionaries presented the picture that was blessed by Bishop Mayer, a ninety-three year old German, who knew Father Kentenich and who participated in a retreat given by Father. He also translated for Father when he visited the Paso Mayor Shrine in 1952 , and where Father enthroned the picture of the Blessed Mother Thrice Admirable, which he had brought from Germany as he had promised.

We enthroned the picture with the title, Mother and Queen of the People, on June 20th before Mass. During the homily, Father Miguel Angel made reference to the good and the bad; he referred to the Mother Thrice Admirable asking for her intercession, protection, and for much faith.

More great news: the Fathers as Regular Clergy of Saint Paul, commonly called Barnabas, received a decree from the Archbishop signed by Bishop Guillermo Garlatti on July 17, 2008, designating the Parish Church of San Roque and the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul, as places to receive a plenary indulgence.

All these events filled us with joy. Knowing that the Blessed Mother is present and accompanying us, we will be at the service of Church more than ever during this Jubilee Year of the Campaign.

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