From August 18 to 24, 2026, Mariela CÉSPEDES, National President of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) of Bolivia, and I went on a mission to Paraguay. We were sent there by Friar Marek WILK, OFM Conv., the Delegate of the Provincial Delegation in Paraguay, belonging to the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow). Our purpose was to meet with the local M.I. groups and talk to them about the path that the International M.I. is currently following.
The M.I. has been present in Paraguay since 1986, when Friar Rufin ORECKI, OFM Conv., came from Poland to promote the Militia of the Immaculata. In 1989, he founded the Catholic magazine Tupãsy Ñe’ê [Our Lady’s Word], which is still published today, and established several M.I. groups. Currently, there are five local M.I. groups.
On Tuesday, August 18, we arrived in Paraguay. Father Marek WILK was waiting for us at the airport. After a two-hour drive, we arrived in Guarambaré, at the Conventual Franciscan Natividad de María Church and Friary. The following day, August 19, we set out for Ciudad del Este. Along the way, we passed through Asunción and visited the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de los Milagros de Caacupé, a Marian shrine that attracts many faithful devoted to Our Lady. There, we entrusted to Our Lady the mission we would carry out that week.
In the early afternoon, we arrived in Ciudad del Este, where there are two active and devoted M.I. groups. They meet faithfully each week to pray the Rosary and meditate on the Word of God. We presented the M.I. General Statutes to them and saw that they were very enthusiastic and committed. Although they consider themselves members of the M.I., they still know little about the M.I. For example, they are not familiar with the writings of St. Maximilian.
We invited them to attend the retreat scheduled for the following Saturday and Sunday in Guarambaré, where they could deepen their understanding of St. Maximilian’s spirituality and the gift of the Militia of the Immaculata.
The next day, August 20, we went to Pastoreo, where an M.I. group meets under the leadership of a woman who was among the first people in Paraguay to consecrate themselves to the Immaculata. She joyfully told us that she had been consecrated for thirty-nine years and that, together with others, she had faithfully met every Monday for thirty-nine years. We met with the group, which shares the same characteristics as the one in Ciudad del Este. They were very welcoming, and they, too, committed to attending the retreat.
The next day, Friday, August 21, we left for Guarambaré. In the early afternoon, we went to Areguá to meet an M.I. group that gathers monthly to study the writings and spirituality of St. Maximilian more deeply. They also committed themselves to attending the retreat.
We returned to Guarambaré and attended Mass. After Mass, we met with a group preparing for consecration to the Immaculata—a wonderful, active group eager to learn about and deepen its understanding of M.I. spirituality.
On Saturday and Sunday, still in Guarambaré, we and members of the M.I. in Paraguay spent two days deepening our understanding of the Statutes and spirituality of the M.I. There was great enthusiasm and a strong desire to learn more about the M.I. and continue deepening this gift.
On Sunday, August 23, we held elections, on an experimental basis, for the National President and Council. For the first time, the M.I. in Paraguay elected a National President, namely, Mr. Basilio SAAVEDRA. We also formed a provisional Council to begin the process of establishing the National Center of the M.I. in Paraguay and obtaining its official recognition.
A group of young members of the M.I. was also formed, with the goal of introducing the M.I. and its spirituality to the youth of Paraguay.
We give thanks for this mission in Paraguay, which was a true gift for us: a week of sowing seeds, sharing, beauty, and enthusiasm. Now we are called to continue sowing seeds and guiding these initial steps, with the joy and responsibility of seeing something new come to life. It was wonderful to experience the enthusiasm of those who wish to learn more about the M.I. and to live this gift ever more deeply.
“There is more joy in receiving than in giving”―and we received so much: hospitality, enthusiasm, faith, and the desire to walk together. Special thanks to the Conventual Franciscan Friars who invited us and gave us this opportunity. Thanks also for allowing us to take part in this important moment and help guide the initial steps of the M.I. in Paraguay.
All that remains is to continue sowing seeds with trust and joy. Nothing but thanks! Thanks for all we experienced and for what the Lord is bringing to life. Thank you! Only love creates!
Angela DE MARCO, MIPK [Father Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata]
Secretary of the M.I. International Presidency Council
