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A Pilgrimage to the Shrine in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, with the children
Nachrichten - News - Noticias
 published: 2008-12-10

The challenge is to give the children an opportunity to visit the Shrine

A Pilgrimage to the Shrine in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, with the children

 

Die Kinder aus der Katechesegruppe der Pfarrei St. Ambrosio in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, besuchten das Schönstatt-Heiligtum

Los alumnos de catequesis de segundo año de la Parroquia de San Ambrosio del barrio de Belgrano en Buenos Aires, fueron en peregrinación al Santuario de Schoenstatt

The children participating in the catechesis groups of the San Ambrosio parish in Belgrano, Buenos Aires visiting the Schoenstatt Shrine in Belgrano

Die Kinder aus der Katechesegruppe der Pfarrei St. Ambrosio in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, besuchten das Schönstatt-Heiligtum

 

El Santuario de Belgrano

The Shrine in Belgrano

Das Heiligtum von Belgrano

Fotos: María Silvina Rocca © 2008

 
   

ARGENTINA, Maria Silvina Rocca. The second year catechesis students from the San Ambrosio parish of Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina, went on a pilgrimage to the Schoenstatt Shrine that is in the same neighborhood.

It was a beautiful but very hot day. They had to walk fifteen blocks to their destination (around a mile or so). The Sisters and Graciela, who is in charge of the local Rosary Campaign, greeted the children. One of the Sisters invited the children to enter the Shrine. The beauty of the Shrine astonished them. It was moving to see the children listening closely to Sister Maria Laura talk about the Shrine, in which she gave them a little teaching about the origin and the meaning of the symbols found in the Shrine by relating it to what the children had already learned in their religious education classes. Children and adults were amazed at the straightforwardness and clarity of Sister’s teaching them about the history of the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt and of the Shrine.

After the talk the children had with the Sister, Graciela gave each boy a pretty little bottle of Holy Water and explained how to use it. They listened carefully in the Shrine after being astonished by this gift. "What a beautiful gesture!" "The boys will never forget this experience." It was a special experience because many of those present, including the parents and catechists, did not know about the Shrine.

Those who organized this pilgrimage realized that they must be intentional about this kind of pilgrimage in order to initiate the children to walk with Mary. This Shrine can be a meeting point for all the children from the different parishes located in this area. This will help turn this community’s predicament into a more homey community. During the walk it was possible to teach several lessons about friendship, patience, teamwork, of walking quite a way without being discouraged or giving up knowing that the Blessed Mother is waiting for them with a dedication different from that of the parish. She is the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt.

The challenge then is to offer the opportunity to these children, so that they can go visit the Shrine accompanied by their catechists by continuing to promote these outings in this beloved and traditional neighborhood.

Childhood memories

"The place impressed us very much by its beauty and being an island of peace and quiet," said one of the catechists. One of the dads who had accompanied the children got excited because he remembered that when he was a boy he went to the Shrine with his mother to pray, and that for a pretty long time had not been there anymore... "I have re-lived a beautiful childhood memory."

The moms who didn’t go were very emotional when their children came back to the parish with the Holy Water they had been given. This was very important for many people; it is a greatly utilized sacramental… "The supernatural atmosphere of the place invites us to pray and to the silence and to experience it together was very comforting for the children." The children commented on the beautiful garden and the tranquility of the place "I wanted to remain sitting and looking at the Blessed Mother and the garden," said one girl.

"In the Shrine, many felt great peace, because you can feel and relive all the intense moments of spiritual growth that we and Andrés have lived including his catechist and all the members of San Ambrosio. And I can keep moving because I received an enormous dose of strength that helps (because sometimes I droop) me to keep on going in this life."

said Andrés' mom whose child has special needs.

I hope to go again

Just before closing this article, this little note came from one of the children: "Hello! My name is Thomas and I am twelve years old. I just wanted to say that it was very nice for me to go to the Shrine with all the children from the parish, my catechist, and my mom. A Sister kindly greeted us. I liked the visit and they gave us holy water! It was very pretty and I hope to go again. Thomas"

We are hoping many children will join on a new pilgrimage. It is the desire of the whole Schoenstatt Community. "Mary waits for them…"

"Thank you, Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt, for being able to be near you and enjoy the peace that you give us!" Dad’s group and San Ambrosio’s Catechists.

"Don’t ask the Blessed Mother to accompany you unless you have the will to be motivated so that others may know her too."

 


 

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