AMERICA/PARAGUAY - Paraguayan Missionaries join fellow Paraguayans in Argentina to celebrate Our Lady of Caacupé

AMERICA/PARAGUAY – Paraguayan Missionaries join fellow Paraguayans in Argentina to celebrate Our Lady of Caacupé
Asunción (Agenzia Fides) – Yesterday 3 December, a group of 25 Paraguayan missionaries, departed for the outskirts of the Argentinean cities of Buenos Aires, La Plata and Rosario to celebrate with their immigrant countrymen and women living there, the Feast Day of the Virgin of Caacupé, much loved by the people of Paraguay. Before setting off the missionaries took part in a Mass celebrated at Asunción Bus terminal, praying for this annual mission now in its 42nd edition.
Bishop Gabriel Escobar of Chaco Vicariate, tells Fides in a message, that Paraguayan immigrants look forward to the feast day, an opportunity to strengthen their faith and celebrate their traditions, honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of Paraguay. The 25 missionary priests, sisters and deacons provide spiritual support for their fellow Paraguayans who have lived in Argentina for many years. "It is a way for our local Church to assist them " said Bishop Escobar, in charge of human mobility and pastoral care for Paraguayan emigrants living in Argentina, Brazil, United States and other countries.
The programme of the visiting missionaries, hosted by local families, includes a project in collaboration with Argentinean church authorities to improve the precarious living conditions of many Paraguayan immigrants. The mission starts December 5 and closes December 14 with a masse gathering in Quilmes. The Feast of the Virgin of Caacupé is celebrated in Argentina soon after the December 8 feast of the Immaculate Conception. "The figure of Mary is extremely important for all Paraguayans, especially those living abroad " said a missionary who has been involved in this ministry since 1977. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 04/12/2014)