Zimbabwe, Marlene Peter •
On 29 March 2015, the Zimbabwe Schoenstatt Family began again the nine-week Queen of Africa novena in preparation for the crowning of Our Blessed Mother Thrice Admirable as Queen of Africa on 31 May 2015. This was to be the 35th time they have done so, having first crowned her on 31 May 1981.
At the time, Zimbabwe had just come out of a bloody liberation war and the future seemed very uncertain. Zimbabwe was not the only country in Africa with serious problems and fears, and it was to the Mother of God, our Mother too, that we turned to for help in interceding for us and protection beneath her mantle of grace. We resolved then to re crown her every year on that date, the anniversary of the Third Milestone 31 May 1949. She has seen us through many trials and difficulties and kept Faith, Hope and Love alive in us. It became our 100-birthday gift to our father and founder Fr. Kentenich in 1985. Last year, 2014, we chose this crowning as our Jubilee Gift in thanksgiving for Our Mother’s care and protection and the hundred years of Schoenstatt,
Africa like other continents still has many areas of conflict and who better than our Mother Mary to enfold us in her mantle of love and reign over Africa, leading us to her Son Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
He checked the Internet to find out more on Schoenstatt … and found the Jubilee Audience
Our Crowning Mass took place on 31 May 2015, Trinity Sunday, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Braeside Harare. It began at 2pm. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and people came from the various parishes to be present for the occasion. There was such a warm, ‘Good to be here’ atmosphere. The main celebrant was Fr. Paul Edwards SJ, assisted by the Parish Priest, Fr. Shepherd Muhamba. At the Entrance we sang, “I the Lord of Sea and Sky.” The chorus rang so true, “Here I am Lord. It is I Lord….” We chose the readings of the Feast of the Visitation. I would like to share some of Fr. Edwards’ homily. He began by saying that he had decided to check the internet to find out more about Schoenstatt and its founder as well what Pope Francis had to say. And there was the picture of Our Holy Father gazing at and touching a picture of Mary Mother Thrice Admirable in Rome during Schoenstatt’s 100 years jubilee celebrations.
Fr. Edwards SJ said that what we were taking part in was what is being done in our global Church. It is in the thinking of Our Holy Father. We are crowning our MTA who is a part of our lives and devotions, as we ponder her in the Gospel, going to be of help to her cousin Elizabeth. Then Fr. Edwards mentioned messages from Pope Francis to the Schoenstatt Movement at the time of the jubilee, and so, echoing these messages for us all , for us to live, right here in Zimbabwe. — Urging Schoenstatt to support families and defend marriages which are so attacked and wounded from all sides as they are today. That the Sacrament of marriage is becoming more of a social event instead of a Union with God. We need to help those getting married.
Something else Pope Francis said during the audience with the Schoenstatt Family last year was so true…The importance of Mary as Mother…that the Church is ‘an orphanage’ without her. Jesus did not want us to journey through life without Our Mother. Mary was able to turn a stable into a home with swaddling clothes and love. She understands all our pain and is a Sign of Hope. She is the Missionary accompanying us and opening our hearts to Eternal Love. She walks with us, surrounding us with God’s love. Referring to The Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel), Fr. Edwards gave us so much food for thought and made me think it was vital that we the People of God should get ourselves a copy (if we have not done so) and read this important document. In addition, we should not lose a single word of the direction given our Schoenstatt family in Rome last year as well as his continuing shepherding.
Covenant of Love
We all lit our candles for the Crowning Ceremony. Led by Fr. Edwards we prayed, in the words of Fr. Kentenich, to Our Mother and Queen, beginning, “O Virgin Mary, the Triune God exalted you, making you Queen of Heaven and Earth. You are the great Queen at the side of Christ Our King. We rejoice at your greatness and glory…” We all responded, “Descend Mary, descend here. Accept the crown as a symbol of our gratitude and of childlike confidence in your queenly power. Allow yourself to be crowned “Queen of Africa.” Use your power in Africa. Accept our simple homage now.” Then began the litany with the priest naming each country, and us responding, “Accept our homage and love.” After all the prayers, the Special crown made by the Brothers of Mary in Vallendar Germany in 1980 was placed on the picture of Our Mother Thrice Admirable and we sang joyfully, the Queen of Africa hymn, the chorus ending, “You we shall follow, with Faith fully unfurled.” – Always a moving moment. Africa is in safe hands.
Another special happening then took place. A mother of two, Patricia Murambinda made her Covenant of Love with our Mother and Queen. For a number of years now, some people who attended one of the crowning ceremonies, have decided to join our Schoenstatt family and after prayerful preparation, have made their Covenant of Love. So our little Family grows, slowly but surely. Something Father Edwards told us Pope Francis urged comes to mind, that we should live in such a way that others are conquered and love as we do…and that we are “transmitters of Him who saved us.”
Another little anecdote: In 1981 when we had the first crowning in Zimbabwe, a young couple, Cyril and Davina Nogueiro who were in our Family group, brought their newly born baby son Ricardo to the Mass. Last Sunday they were at the Crowning with Ricardo, now thirty-four years old. He is about to enter the seminary to become a Jesuit priest. I remember that little boy when he was very young swimming in the pool at Norman and Sybil Macdonald’s home when our boys were in the Schoenstatt boys’ group with Norman their leader.
The mass ended with a Feast Day blessing, and the joyful hymns, “Holy Virgin, by God’s Decree,” and a hymn to Mary in the Shona language.
It’s always a blessing to receive news from Africa. I remember to have read about the Crowning in previous years and they update these recrownings with a different hallmark. This time a reference is made to something so close and dear to all schoenstatters as is last year’s Audience with Pope Francis. And I loved the song “I the Lord of Sea and Sky” which I found on YouTube: beautiful. Thanks for sharing!