With Guitar and Pilgrim MTA in Hand

Family Missions in Lobería, Argentina: A Test of Fire and an Experience of God and Confidence

ARGENTINA, Carlos and Lilita Ricciardi. As always, there were prayers, Masses and offerings for the Family Missions in the following localities: Caseros and Villa Clara in the Entre Ríos Province; Lobería in the Buenos Aires Province; and in La Paz in the Mendoza Province. This is always known and greatly valued. During the week prior to Conference 2014, the Mission in Lobería demonstrated the power of this prayer (as was experienced as well by the delegates to the Conference). For more than a month following these Missions, the experience of God and confidence remains.

Without a doubt, the missionary community is formed not only by the coming together of the missionaries, but also by all those who in one way or another collaborate so that this challenge becomes a reality. During all these years, we have counted on a fundamental pillar for the mission. This has been the prayers of the community and the missionaries.

God does not allow Himself to be outdone in generosity and manifests Himself with gifts of love to fulfill the task; however, in Lobería, this year, we had a special experience.

On Monday, January 26^th, we arrived in Lobería at noon. We were greeted by the pastor, Father Pedro, and a lady who gave us the keys to the parish school where we would stay. There were 48 of us missionaries who stayed there: several youths, the Bussi, Minvielle, Oviedo, Zurita, and Martiarena families; also accompanying us were Father Beltrán Gómez and Oscar, a seminarian.

The opening of the Missions was held at 7:30 P.M. with a Holy Mass in the parish Church. To our surprise, the only ones present were we, the 48 missionaries, and the sacristan. We had never had such a test of fire. It was a unique challenge because in only 6 days, the Mission would experience a miracle.

It was a challenge which involved coming out of total anonymity from a community which did not know that a missionary group would be present during the week.

It was an experience of totally letting go (in our lingo: we had to bite the dust). We were there to fulfill a new Mission and it was up to God to lay the cards on the table (perhaps the 4 of spades to win the game).

The only thing left to do was to trust and pray, knowing that in prayer and in confidence in God, we would find the key to this mystery. This is where this praying community yearly backs us up and reaches the fullness of being missionary partners interceding with God so that hearts open up to Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

Praying to God and working away

At the end of Mass, with guitar and drum in hand, we all went to the center of the plaza and singing made our presence known to the town. This was the first step to announce that we were there.

On the next day, we began with visiting the homes in the morning and making announcements on the radio. In the afternoon we came to the hospital and the nursing home….. With guitar and Pilgrim MTA always in hand, the youths gathered at the city water trough, and another group met with the children at a neighborhood school. At the Mass at the end of the second day, only three ladies accompanied us. Even when everything seemed difficult with changing experiences in regard to the response of the homes where the doors would not open, the prayer transformed more and more to the center and united with each one of you whom we remembered in our daily night prayer, offering our small efforts for the intentions of each one of you.

Pillar of the Family Missions

On Thursday afternoon, the youths from the town gathered at the school. Prudently, we expected a small group. Finally, at benediction, there were 30 youths participating. Then came some families interested in knowing about the spirituality and the work of the family. Others were interested in being missionaries. There were two baptisms. The struggle of Friday evening was overcome with an impressive participation and at the closing Mass on Saturday, there was also a large attendance.

In summary, we have had an experience of God and of confidence: a community which unites in prayer intercedes so that the Holy Spirit may manifest itself in abundant gifts of love through the intercession of instruments, who like the apostles, feel small because of their limitations, but great because of the apostolic and missionary blessing.

Once again: we thank you not only for your prayers, but for being the pillar of the Family Missions.

Translation: Carlos Cantú Schoenstatt Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 030909