ENGLAND, Fr. Bryan Cunningham/mkf. “In the year 2000, Bishop Terence Brain welcomed Schoenstatt with these words: Pope John Paul II wrote in 1987 “Shrines are like milestones that guide the journey of the Children of God on earth.” They are visible signs of the presence of the Invisible God. Throughout the whole world and throughout every age, Our Lady has made it her business to be part of the earthly pilgrimage of all people. She is fulfilling her role as Mother of the Church, just as in her life on earth she was the first disciple of her Son and followed him not because He was her Son, but because first of all, he was her God. May our Lady join all who come here on pilgrimage in the years …”
Ten years later, as the Schoenstatt Family of England celebrated the 10th anniversary of their Shrine – in presence of a bishop from their ranks, Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury – these words set the tone for a celebration marked by joy and gratitude in awe of the opening of the years of preparation for Schoenstatt’s 100th anniversary, marked by the idea of pilgrimage.
In the year 2000, the Schoenstatt Movement in England and Wales gave this Shrine as an invitation to Our Lady of Schoenstatt to make her home among them. Following the ancient tradition of the National Shrine in Walsingham, they prayed that this shrine could become a new Nazareth for the new millennium. On October 3rd, they celebrated the tenth Anniversary of the blessing of the Shrine. They did so in presence of the Father Symbol that Fr. Andrew Pastore brought from Schoenstatt – the same Father Symbol that is traveling the world to unite the Schoenstatt Family in a new pilgrimage to celebrate centenary of the Covenant of Love.
Pope Benedict’s visit to England and the graces of the Shrine
Around 10:00 AM, it was pretty rainy… honestly, it poured. Streams of love and life were flowing, we prayed Heavenwards; but right at that moment, there were streams of water flowing around the tents… However when Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury crossed the diocesan border, it stopped raining. Some 400 participants enjoyed the celebration in a beautiful atmosphere.
Bishop Davies said he would like to “place the 10th Anniversary of our Schoenstatt Shrine in the light of that remarkable visit of the Successor of St Peter to our country.” In his sermon on the graces of the Shrine, he started from his own personal experience of having a home in the Shrine: “On various occasions, I have been able to come here and simply spend some time — at home with the Mother of all the Faithful — and ask her to give birth to Christ in my heart and life again. I still remember with gratitude the eve of my Episcopal Ordination, when I came here to pray and ask that the Blessed Mother would implore for me the gifts of the Holy Spirit for my new task and service as bishop.”
“When people feel ‘at home,’ they begin to tell stories, and they become grateful for the many experiences made and for the friendship and community shared,” he continued. “In the past ten years, we could fill a few volumes with the many stories of how people’s faith has been renewed and how they have felt touched by this holy place.”
Tents filled with stories
These stories that Bishop Davies mentioned filled the marquees around the shrine – a chance to walk down memory lane for some. Young people showed how their lives have been affected and changed, and those involved in the mosaic project – a prayer garden with the Little Hours from the prayer book Heavenwards – were taking the opportunity to inform about developments. There was a display on outreach, a program for children, and of course a Café marquee.
Procession with the Symbols of the Day
At the beginning of the Holy Mass, the symbols of the day were brought forward in procession: a book of memories, a Shrine, a Pilgrim Mother picture, a jubilee candle, the Father Symbol.
Children brought a “Tree of gratitude.” In front of the Shrine, there was a big heart with the MTA in the center; families lit candles there. Everybody was invited to place a blue or yellow ribbon into the net inside the shrine – as it had been done 10 years ago for the blessing. Joyfully, the participants signed the jubilee book in the Shrine. Each one is part of the network of the Shrine, and this Shrine is part of the network of Shrines: “We feel united with the original Shrine in Schoenstatt and think of the other Shrines that were built around the world in the year 2000 especially the Shrine in Paderborn, Germany and in Madurai, India,” Father Bryan Cunningham said at the beginning.
The Benedict bounce
“In the weeks after the visit of our Holy Father, people were already speaking fondly about the “Benedict bounce.” Let us pray today on this 10th anniversary, that this “bounce” can be felt here and inspired and motivated from here,” Bishop Davies said at the end of his sermon, and then he ended with a prayer: “Mother Thrice Admirable, accept today our thanks for the ten years of your presence here. May Christ be born in us again. Pray for us and intercede for us as we place our hope and trust in you. Amen.”
