ITALY/GERMANY, mkf. Forty young men of the Boys’ Youth from Germany are already close to Pisa, and they continue to run with enthusiasm that seems to grow with each kilometer, with each mountain pass that is overcome. With a torch in hand that was lit at the Original Shrine, they have been running since August 23rd. The torch only stops for a few hours at night, and then continues as they run. Their goal: Saint Peter’s in Rome- the heart of the Church. They are carrying the fire of the Covenant of Love that was renewed during the Night at the Shrine – along with hundreds of petitions from people who have presented their needs, desires, pain…
Each one of these young men has taken this very seriously. One of them said on the blog (it is worth looking at it even if you do not understand German since the photos speak for themselves…): “Four o’clock in the morning, I get up. What a joy! Now it is my turn to run with the torch. We are on the mountain; I have a steep stretch ahead of me. I take out the paper with the petition that I am carrying. Blessed Mother, this is something hard, something heavy… There is so much pain! Who am I to be worthy of carrying this? You send me…Blessed Mother give me strength. I am going to run faster now, and a few kilometers more…for them, so that you will work miracles…Blessed Mother each step, each pain, all the weariness is for them…”
All for Schoenstatt, all for the Church
While one carries the torch, the others accompany him on bicycles, and still others follow in cars loaded with water, food, tents… and notebooks with wireless Internet, so they can share their experiences live with everyone. That is how we know that in Chur, Switzerland, the Schoenstatt Family welcomed them with a celebration. Or that Kilian hurt his knee on the second day but that he can now run again. Or that they parked the car in a “No Parking” place, but when the Italian Police found out that they were taking the torch to Rome, they did not have to pay the fine. However they did have to park in a proper place!
Those who were most physically fit conquered Mount Splugen in Switzerland – an unforgettable time, where they felt closer to God at the summit…
There were also some funny situations: like getting lost in the many circles of Italy, the bridge at Piacenza that was only a construction site and which made the navigator give up, the shopping tours in Italy not knowing any Italian, and the struggle against mosquitoes…
They hope to arrive at Saint Peter’s in Rome, the heart of the Church, on Tuesday, accompanied by the prayers of many people. “Our torch race does not only belong to us, it is for all of Schoenstatt, it is for all of the Church”, they said.
Wow, what an inspiring story! The community aspect of bring together Schoenstatt and the Church is amazing!