Paraguay

Miguel FRITZ, OMI (Apostolic Administrator)

On December 23, 1925, a group of five German Oblates made their way to the Chaco, a region that was then considered a part of Bolivia.

Catholic Presence in the Chaco Region

As we approach the centenary of Catholic presence in the expansive dry forest region of the Gran Chaco, the Oblates are continuing their mission in the Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo (AVP) and have kicked off an exciting three-year preparation period. They started things off with a youth mission in one of the three parishes served by the Oblates: the Parish of Saint Eugene de Mazenod in Teniente 1° Irala Fernández, which recently marked its 50th anniversary.

Mission with youth

Invitations were extended to the nine Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) of the AVP and the young people from their parishes. Half of the 30 youths who responded to the invitation were indigenous, proudly belonging to the Nivaĉle and Guaraní communities. Fathers Víctor ESPÍNOLA and Cristóbal ACOSTA coordinated with fifteen communities within the parish to warmly welcome and accommodate the missionary groups. Operating in teams of 2 to 5 participants, they visited each home, shared biblical passages, offered brief reflections, prayed with family members, and blessed them and their homes.

The warmth of human connections triumphed

In addition to these heartwarming home visits, they organized lively gatherings with children, youth, and adults for four days. For many, this marked their first mission experience, presenting an opportunity to overcome any initial shyness. Despite encountering a few closed doors—some due to homeowners tending to the fields and others simply not hearing the youth’s arrival amidst the mid-December heat and the hum of air conditioning—they were warmly received in almost every home.

In the post-mission reflection, conducted after the closing Mass broadcasted by Radio Pa’i Puku, participants quickly highlighted that the warmth of human connections triumphed over even the intense heat of the scorching temperatures. With spirits high, everyone expressed an eagerness to participate in the upcoming youth missions in the other two Oblate parishes of the AVP.

Mission with Youth