August 22, Feast of Queenship of Mary. Schoenstatt Youth from Germany, along with young people from many other countries, are gathered around the Original Shrine for the annual youth pilgrimage , the Night of the Shrine, culminating this night with the renewal of the Covenant of Love for the Youth of the world, at midnight local time – live transmitted via www.schoenstatt-tv from 10.00PM – 0.30 PM local time. In Croatia, the first Schoenstatt Shrine is to be dedicated today. The Schoenstatt Family in Paraguay prepares for the “Family Day” to take place tomorrow in Tuparenda…
The Night of the Shrine started yesterday night with lot of fun, music, encounters and prayers in the Vallendar Town Hall, the meeting place for the common activities. This morning, after Holy Mass in the Shrines, there are talks and statements, followed by a varied program in the afternoon with workshops, prayer times, soccer games, walks and crafting. A candle light procession leads the youth to the Original Shrine tonight; the vigil celebration will culminate in the renewal of the Covenant of Love at midnight. On Sunday, the “Night of the Shrine” program closes with a Holy Mass and commitment to work for a covenant culture.
The young men who start the Torch Run to Rome tomorrow, will be sent out from the Shrine tonight. And then a first-time-ever event for Germany will take place: the commissioning of youth who next Friday, August 28, will set out for the first youth missions (misiones) in Germany – with Pilgrim MTAs and missionary crosses – the latter ones a gift of the Schoenstatt Youth in Spain.
The Schoenstatt Family of Croatia for years waited for their own shrine. Today, the dream comes true. In Mala Subotnica, the frist Croatian Schoenstatt Shrine will be dedicated. Congratulations to the Schoenstatt Family in Croatia.
The members of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Federations who celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Foundation of the Apostolic Federation, this morning set out for a pilgrimage that leads them to Hoerde – the place of the foundation -, and to historical sites in Belgium and France related to Gertraud von Bullion, the foundress of the Women’s Federation, and of Joseph Engling.
Your Family is worth while
“Your family is worth while” is the motto of the “Day in Family” promoted by the Schoenstatt Family in Paraguay. Several NGOs will display their work for the family, workshops and talks are offered, the children will plant trees and enjoy a great program; there will be two Holy Masses at the Shrine, with a special blessing of all those couples married longer than 30 years, and the crowning of the Mother Thrice Admirable as Queen of Families.
