PARAGUAY, Mónica Enciso •
After several months of preparation, fifteen young women from the Asunción Professional Women’s Branch decided to seal a Covenant with Fr. Kentenich in a very special way by going on pilgrimage to the New Schoenstatt Shrine located in Florencio Varela – Argentina, a shrine blessed by Fr. Joseph Kentenich.
Upon arriving at New Schoenstatt on Saturday, 1 October, they experienced great emotion at the Father Shrine, blessed in 1952, by the Father and Founder, where he knelt in front of the altar many times. More than one reflected that emotion in shedding some tears.
These young women heard the testimony of Sr. Miriam, who knew Fr. Kentenich closely. This Sister of Mary charmingly told several very funny anecdotes that she experienced with the great Kentenich. Among other things, her testimony confirmed what many others said: that Fr. Kentenich was a true Father, that when one was close to him one felt his paternal character and felt like his true son or daughter.
Moreover, they had the experience of going through the Father House. Every room narrates Joseph Kentenich’s history from his consecration to the Blessed Mother as a child to his return to Schoenstatt after exile. Neat showcases exhibit several of his belongings such as his hat, coat, shoes, hairbrush, and suitcase among other things.
The day and time arrived!
On Sunday, 2 October, at 5:00 p.m. everything was ready for the ceremony of the Covenant with Fr. Kentenich. They arrived at the Shrine where years ago Father had prayed. They had great emotion; with smiles on their lips, they were impeccably dressed for such an important occasion with each one carrying a lily in their hand. In the ceremony, they assumed the commitment of the ideal they chose: “My holiness, your holiness,” and they presented the Father and Founder with their symbol as a gift, a lily, which was Father’s favorite flower for Mary’s Garden.
At the end of the ceremony, each one silently prayed her childlike covenant prayer. They had a personal encounter with Father and the rings that each received were blessed.
From now on, these new allies want to depend on their Father and Founder like a daughter depends on her father. They are bonded with him, and they have undertaken the future road at the service of the Schoenstatt families with him and in him. Through Fr. Joseph Kentenich they seek the face of God the Father and reposing on Him, they want to mold his Kingdom and fulfill his will. We agree on that! We remain loyal!
Original: Spanish. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA. Edited: Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, TX USA
