BRAZIL, Sr. M. Caroline. The Schoenstatt Family from Guarapuava, State of Paraná, prepared to welcome the Father Symbol with the motto: “Father, we go with you with childlikeness and all of our love.” Besides the personal preparation, the Family received a daily message from our Father (via e-mail) as a daily motivation, and they prayed the prayer for his beatification together with the petition, that from the Tabor Shrine of Vocations, in loyalty to God’s personal call to each person, Cor unum in Patre will become a reality throughout the entire Schoenstatt Family.
In the days preceding the arrival of the Father Symbol, they made many preparations so that everything would be worthily ready to welcome the visit. The expectations were great, and for this reason, every detail was carried out with joy and dedication: the atmosphere, the posters, handkerchiefs, and candies. These children, who eagerly awaited the Father, did everything with great love.
The long awaited day arrived!
An Schoenstatt Family delegation from Guarapuava left early for the meeting with the Father Symbol that awaited them in Curitiba. The approximately 250 kilometers seemed like nothing when they arrived at the Tabor Magnificat and they encountered the Father! Yes, they had this experience: it was not about the Father Symbol, but rather about Father himself! After a beautiful welcome and sending forth by the Schoenstatt Family of Curitiba, they returned on their way. Prayers, songs, readings, and a montage of our Father and Founder enriched our return trip. The joy of having Father with them was indescribable.
They arrived at the entrance of the city a little late, where many members of the Schoenstatt Family were waiting for them. Father was welcomed to Guarapuava with fire, songs, applause, and much excitement. The presidents of the Family Council welcomed the Father Symbol, and carried it to the front of the caravan that was formed to go to the Shrine. Father passed through many streets of Gurapuava and placing his gaze and giving his blessing to each family. The Father Symbol arrived at Tabor of Vocations escorted not only by the Schoenstatt Family, but also by the traffic police and the military Police.
The joy at the arrival of the Father Symbol
A group, belonging to the Movement that was unable to participate in the caravan, was waiting. Once more gunfire announced the joy of the arrival of the Father Symbol. A group of the Luminous Apostles of Mary, holding lilies in their hands, opened the way so that Father could pass. The Father Symbol was led to the Queen of Vocations in the midst the Shrine’s ringing bells. The Boys’ Youth welcomed the Father Symbol on behalf of the Schoenstatt Family with beautiful and profound words. Here is an extract of these words:
“Welcome, Father Joseph Kentenich, Your Schoenstatt Family from Guarapuava is happy with your presence in our Tabor Shrine of Vocations. May your example of vocation and of holiness remain with us during this illustrious visit, and may it remain marked in our lives just as it happened in 1914 with the young seminarians. We consider ourselves as participants of your mission, which is to announce the image of God as the image of the Father. We want to be like you, firm in faith and courageous when confronting the challenges that come, never ceasing to make contributions to the capital of grace and trusting in the Covenant of Love that we sealed…Welcome, Founding Father!”
A week of spiritual retreat with the presence of the Father Symbol
After the welcome, they went to the Holy Mass, which was prepared by the Girls’ Youth and officiated by Friar Celio Ferreira. In his homily, he stressed the importance of making good use of the time that we had with the Father Symbol, and he motivated everyone by saying: “Make this week a week of spiritual retreat with the presence of the Father Symbol…Father is here and he wants to meet everyone personally!” During the offertory, everyone presented his or her contributions to the capital of grace that were conquered in preparation for the arrival of the Father Symbol.
After the Holy Mass they went on pilgrimage to the Founder’s Hall, which is in the “basement” of the Shrine. They again prayed a prayer of joy for the presence of the Father, praying the Pilgrimage Prayer to 2014, and they renewed their Covenant of Love. Afterwards, they had heard many times that Father liked to give gifts, so just like Father and after the time of sharing, he gave us a gift. A card was prepared for everyone with a sweet greeting in Father’s words.
And so with many impressions and joyful hearts, everyone returned to their homes, happy that the following day they could return for another meeting with Father.
Father worked in me
Leonardo, a young man and a member of the Boys’ Youth from Guarapuava who represented the Schoenstatt Family to go for the Father Symbol wrote:
“Well, at the beginning I did not feel anything that could be defined as a great sentiment, but a little later I began to feel Father’s great power working in me. He created situations in order for me to go to Curitiba. It was only afterwards, after reflecting and seeing that the Founding Father really wanted ME to go for him so that he could visit us in our Shrine. After the sending forth ceremony when I was already in the car for the return trip to Guarapuava, I had the enormous privilege of holding the Father Symbol. I was surprised by the enormous radiation of peace, love, and joy that surged on the return trip with the Father Symbol. This affected me instantly; I truly felt Father Joseph Kentenich’s presence with me. I did not show any feeling, but inside I was “exploding” with joy, my heart was beating strongly, I forgot about my problems, and I concentrated on giving the beloved Founding Father my complete attention, since he was very close to me. This was the greatest and best emotion that I have felt in my entire life. Yes, Father! I will give my entire life to you and to the Schoenstatt Work.”
Father’s presence is felt
“It is beautiful to see how Father attracts people, whether they belong to the Movement or not, since they come to encounter the Father Symbol…I am is impressed that some people who do not belong to the Movement, the pilgrims, who are very simple and do not know very much about the Schoenstatt spirituality, but they came anyway!” said Sister Caroline. They simply came and asked: “Sister, where is the Symbol of God, the Father?” Others asked, “Where is Father Kentenich’s relic?” I am impressed because we did not announce this, we only prepared as a Schoenstatt Family. But everyone wanted an encounter with Father!
Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English Translation Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit
I’m interested in learning more about Schoentatts fathers thank you.