La Nazarena, a center for integral human development located in the heart of the southern belt of the city of Buenos Aires, is a way of responding to the mission entrusted to the Church by Father Joseph Kentenich.
A few months ago, we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the promise that Father Joseph Kentenich made to the Holy Father Paul VI at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. On behalf of the entire Schoenstatt Work, he offered our contribution to the fullest realization of the Council, to make the synodal style of the Church a reality, in keeping with the Holy Spirit.
We feel especially challenged by the social situation in Latin America. Our Shrines are immersed in a culture of unequal opportunities, and this reality reaches us through the faces we encounter in large cities and their outskirts.
“The future of humanity lies in the hands of those who can give coming generations reasons to live and reasons to hope” (No. 31, Gaudium et Spes, Vatican II).
Hearing this statement, we rejoice at the many social initiatives that have arisen from the Covenant of Love we have sealed with Mary.
Today we have chosen one of them: La Nazarena, located in Florencio Varela.
A Grassroots Perspective
Before writing this article, I decided to visit some families in nearby neighborhoods.
After walking several blocks of uneven dirt roads, I arrived at the home of Silvia, a 36-year-old woman.
She welcomed me into her small one-room home, and told me:
“I work twice a week in a household, a one hours bus ride away. I do everything—from cleaning to painting. I must leave my children alone; a neighbor watches them, though I take the youngest with me.”
Sometimes she searches garbage containers with her daughter to find clothes or items to clean and sell.
“At night we live almost in darkness. To save money, we cook together with a neighbor.”
When it rains, she fears flooding from a nearby stream.
Despite everything, she says:
“La Nazarena is my home, my refuge, my salvation. I feel safe there.”
She completed cooking and baking courses and now sells cakes.
A Center Focused on the Whole Person
Silvia also shared that she was invited to learn more about the Virgin Mary. She proudly wears the medal of Mater ter Admirabilis.
Then I visited Lorena, 41 years old, mother of five.
After her husband’s death, La Nazarena supported her family emotionally and materially—education, food, mattresses, blankets.
The institution stands on key pillars:
– Education
– Health
– Work culture
Wenn Solidarität zum Bündnis wird
During a visit to the center, I saw classrooms, workshops, a dining hall, and a newly built hall for a Solidarity and Educational Fair, where donations are turned into support and opportunities for small enterprises.
I receive it all back
I also met Sergio, a pediatrician volunteer from La Plata.
He said:
“At La Nazarena, the entire family is cared for. It is a place of order, respect, and peace. The children are happy and free. They discover another way of living.”
He concluded:
“When people thank me, I say: thank you for letting me come. Because I receive everything—everything— back.”
As the Schoenstatt Family, we renew our promise to Paul VI by living out Vatican II in concrete acts of solidarity.