Blessed Mother, here I am, send me forth!
Annual celebration of the Campaign at the Shrine of Montahue, Chile
 |
Montahue, Chile: Fiesta anual de la Campaña de la Virgen Peregrina
Montahue, Chile: Jährliches Fest der Kampagne der Pilgernden Gottesmutter |
 |
 |
La Virgen Peregrina en andas The Pilgrim MTA presiding the procession Das große Bild der Pilgernden Gottesmutter wird voran getragen |
|
 |
|
El Santuario de Montahue, Concepción The Shrine of Montahue, Concepción Das Heiligtum von Montahue, Concepción |
|
 |
|
La banda naval The navy band Die Marine-Kapelle |
|
 |
|
La Hna. Eugenia María Sr. Eugenia María Schw. Eugenia María |
|
 |
|
La cruz The crucifix Das Kreuz Fotos: Adela Jiménez © 2008 |
|
|
CHILE, Adela Jiménez. "Blessed Mother, here I am, send me forth!" This was the motto that gathered more than one thousand people in the Shrine of Montahue, Concepción, Chile, for the annual celebration of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. It was an emotional day filled with graces, joy and blessings.
The pilgrims – children, youth, adults, and grandparents came from different deaneries of the eighth region of Chile – they arrived to Montahue in the morning. They were welcomed by members of the Movement, with songs and small flags. With great emotion each person placed the Pilgrim MTA’s in front of the altar; they received instructions and the dynamic "Route of the Shrine" began: this dynamic consisted of traveling the grounds making three different stops. Each stop had a meaning; it was a grace of the Shrine. So, the first stop was related to the parable of the prodigal son, they experienced the sheltering of God the Father. The second stop was the wedding at Cana, the participants were invited to transform. The third stop was inside the Shrine, Pentecost inflamed their hearts and they loudly said: Blessed Mother, here I am, send me forth!
They were sent to collaborate with the continental Mission
Time passed quickly while hearts received all the graces of this pilgrimage. Songs, laughter, food served outdoors, live music provided by the naval band of the region…everything encouraged the participants and convoked them in one spirit.
The procession of the rosary was held beneath the sunlight. All the pilgrims participated with enthusiasm. Minutes later the Holy Mass began along with the commissioning of the pilgrim crosses that each deanery received; these crosses are the Capital of Grace to be conquered for the future pilgrim cross at Montahue.
At the end of the day all the pilgrims were sent forth with the altar of the "Continental Mission", and they bid farewell saying: "Blessed Mother, here I am, send me forth! making the commitment to continue on the road, and to live this motto with much love and joy.