From August 21 to 23, a new edition of Totus Tuus—the high school mission of the Schoenstatt Movement in Uruguay—brought together more than 120 young people aged 15 to 18.

For three days, young people from diverse communities shared an experience defined by mission, fellowship, and joy. They reached out to people and families in the neighborhood, shared their faith, and offered their talents and time in service to others.

The mission featured a range of service activities, moments of reflection and prayer, opportunities for fellowship, and a torchlight pilgrimage culminating in the traditional Vigil. Each activity was designed to help young people concretely live out the missionary spirit and discover the Blessed Mother in every person they encountered.

Anything can happen

Totus Tuus is one of the great treasures of our Family. Year after year, this mission enables our youth to have a profound encounter with others, with the faith, and with the Blessed Mother, leaving an impact that extends far beyond the three days of the mission.

Once again, Totus Tuus reminds us of what can happen when young people dare to go out to meet others and let the Blessed Mother work through them.

“I’d do it a million times over”

Federico Martínez was part of the organizing team and shares his experience:

“It was an amazing experience. It was truly wonderful and, for me, a huge challenge because it was my first time organizing a mission. Participating as an organizer is completely different: there’s a lot of nervousness and anxiety, and you have to constantly adapt to the schedule, the timing, and everything that comes up. But, without a doubt, I’d do it a million times over.

It’s deeply moving to see how the young people rejoice, how they begin to entrust themselves to the Blessed Mother, and how they live each moment. And then, at the end of the Vigil, the Mass, and the mission, seeing the fruits is truly impressive.

We were three communities, each with a different location on Sunday. On one day, they held a service that also involved young people from other communities, so we had to coordinate transportation. We even made a pilgrimage from one place to another so we could celebrate Mass together.

And that’s exactly why I’m so happy to see that all that work, all that planning, and all that organization paid off. In the end, seeing the young people happy, living out the mission, and taking something away from everything that was prepared makes it all truly worth it.”

“I returned home with a full heart”

Agustina Bocchi is participating in Totus Tuus for the third time and was also part of the organizing team:

“This year, I had the opportunity to serve as the finance coordinator for the mission, and we had a wonderful time leading up to the event, filled with love and enthusiasm from all the organizers to ensure that Totus Tuus went as smoothly as possible.

During the mission, we did several activities: we painted the courtyard of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, where part of the group was staying; we played with children, reflected, and evangelized.

Above all, we returned from the mission with huge smiles on our faces after speaking with several people from the neighborhood who shared their stories with us. I remember with special fondness the owner of a neighborhood newsstand, who told us his whole story. It is in those moments that we see the Blessed Mother most clearly: in all those who open their doors to us and allow us to be part of their story.

We also held a torchlight procession through the neighborhood, followed by the Vigil. We had a time of adoration, during which the young people from the Spirituality group shared beautiful reflections with us, and we listened to the Youth Choir.

Without a doubt, it was a great mission! Seeing the missionaries enjoying themselves, jumping around with so much energy and enthusiasm, makes all the effort 100 percent worth it.

I returned home with a full heart and a wide smile. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we let the Blessed Mother work through us.”

The Totus Tuus experience once again shows that the mission isn’t limited to reaching out to others—it also transforms those who allow themselves to be sent. Amid encounters, service, prayer, and joy, the young people discovered that every person they visited could become a place of encounter with the Blessed Mother. Thus, Totus Tuus once again leaves its mark on Uruguay and reminds the entire Family that, when young people open themselves to the mission and trust in Mary’s action, anything is possible.