TINOGASTA (Argentina)

Last January, we, the 17 misioneros (young Christians fully engaged for a period of time in 
animation/missionary catechesis activities) from Argentina and Uruguay have joined the mission proposal which,
for the third time, has taken place in Tinogasta, in the province of Catamarca.
During the experience, we were surprised by the modalities with which people express and live their faith;
besides we were moved by their devotion to the Virgin of the Valley and their way of approaching her with such a filial love.
We were welcomed with great cordiality not only by the parish community but by all those who offered us hospitality
in their home;  in fact, in the evening we used to meet in one of the barrios (suburban areas) where we were sent in turn
for catechesis. We used to propose evangelization programmes to the children through games and the presentation of
the figure of Mary as Mother and with the different titles with which she is invoked and venerated; in particular, we talked
about Maria Bambina.
Amongst the youth and the adults, there were many women and mothers with their children. In the morning and
in the evening we also had formation meetings with the young ‘missionaries’ of the parish; each moment
dedicated to sharing, prayer and preparation has been important to carry out this mission together; even in
the diversity of age and living conditions, we were united by the same passion for God and man.
We concluded the Mission – together with the local community and the misionero group Caminando con Jesus –
with a procession  to the church of «Our Lady of Perpetual Help», in the small town of Cachiyuyo, despite the fact that
it had been raining the whole week  and the roads were not easily practicable. We returned with a renewed heart and
the conviction that the ‘mission’ must continue, day after day, in our daily life experience.