CROATIA, Xenia Schmidlin: On August 22nd, the blessing ceremony of the first Schoenstatt Shrine existing in the country took place in Mala Subotica, Croatia. Many came to participate in this great event among them were pilgrim cyclists, from Austria, and the Schoenstatt Family from Hungary, Romania, Germany, and a large group from Switzerland; and of course, the Croatian Schoenstatt Family who had sacrificed for many years through prayers and having had the desire to build this Shrine. The dream became a reality on the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, which is a very meaningful day for the Croatian Family. It can be rightfully said that since last August 22nd: The newest Schoenstatt Shrine that exists on the face of the earth is found in Mala Subotica, Croatia!
Xenia Schmidlin, a member of the Girls’ Youth from Switzerland, relates how the Swiss experienced the blessing of this Shrine.
This was the schedule for the weekend: A twenty-four hour trip for a stay of just thirty hours. This is already a little crazy, if you consider that the trip of 760 kilometers (or about 472 miles), for the purpose of the blessing of a Shrine on Croatian territory, began on Friday night after the workweek or after classes, with the return trip on Sunday in order to punctually report to work the following morning. Some may ask, who are the crazy people who undertook these things…Aha! They are the Swiss!
It is evident that there are also precedents that justify the reason for taking the Schoenstatt Girls Youth to participate is such “craziness”.
In the Summer of 2007, on August 22nd, the leaders group decided to begin the preparations for the crowning of the MTA with the title: Queen of the Swiss Girls’ Youth – which took place on February 22nd, 2008. A short time later, precisely a few months later, we found out, through our Schoenstatt Father from Switzerland, Father Horn, who works in Croatia, that the blessing of the Shrine at Mala Subotica, in Croatia would take place on August 22nd. In view of this news, we had no doubt that this was a sign from heaven and that this little parallel was not merely a coincidence. It was then that we decided to participate in the blessing ceremony, and as a spiritual contribution, we would especially pray I Trust Your Might for the Schoenstatt Croatian Family at 9:00 p.m., which was the special hour of our Father and Founder, Joseph Kentenich’s blessing.
A surge of adrenalin for the final contribution to the Capital of Grace for the new Shrine
And that is how August 21st, the long awaited day, arrived. There was enormous joy previously; since, for better or worse, we had contributed to the Capital of Grace for the new Shrine. Come to find out, the bus was supposed to depart from St. Gallen, Swizterland for Croatia at 8:00 p.m. However, for some reason, we had another schedule in mind, fortunately, half of the group were at the bus station at the precise time of departure, while the others were still at home or on the way to the bus station.
A surge of adrenalin par excellence seemed to be scheduled. Thanks to our Father of the Croatian Family, who was also traveling with us and some tear glands that went into action, the bus drive felt sorry for us and he turned off the bus and waited until everyone arrived. This had a certain advantage, because many people asked us where we were going and why it was such a large group. A priest from Burundi, Africa, who is presently in Swizterland, was also with us; there were also ten ladies from the Women’s Community and some Schoenstatt Mothers.
Mary – Queen of our heart
The blessing of the Shrine began at 1:00 p.m. with the welcome and and opening comments. The heart holds a very special symbolic place for the Schoenstatt Shrine on Croatian territory; there was an enormous, framed heart made of cypress in the Shrine.
The talk presented by Father Chrisoph Horn was based on the theme: My Heart – Your Shrine. Father Horn added, that in the end, it is about our heart, since the Shrine, which is exteriorly visible finds its most profound meaning, if our heart additionally becomes the Shrine of Our Lady. “Beloved Mother, You be the Queen of our heart, Queen of our decisions, Queen of our lives, Queen of the Croatian Schoenstatt Family!”
“Descend, Mary, descend…”
The solemn blessing of the Shrine took place beneath a radiant sun, in spite of days before there had been a hailstorm. It is evident that Holy Mary was already working! Before the bishop in the Shrine enthroned her picture, a small procession led her to her new place from which She will work.
„Beloved Mother, Thrice Admirable Queen and Victoress of Schoenstatt! We now show you the little piece of land that you manifestly chose to establish yourself among us and you allowed us to experience your kindness and glory.
Incline your gaze over this, your Shrine, that we built with sacrifices and personal contributions. Some from our rank and file offered their lives for your Shrine as a living sacrifice of construction. In the Founding Document, you promised: I love those who love me.”
We ask you: “Descend, Mary, descend…”(JK, 2.07.1950)
Incline your gaze over everything that surrounds your Shrine: since everything is in the shape of a heart. This speaks of your love and of the graces of your Shrine, that, for several years, we have come to experience when you visited us through the symbol of the Pilgrim MTA or through your presence in the Home shrine. For this reason we are impelled to prove our reciprocal love.
The beautifully prepared grounds as well as the Shrine are now yours; it is our gift to you. From this moment, this should be your favorite place and ours; we want to come here often to visit you and to fill you with prayers, so that the blessing that emanates from here will reach many men and women.
Our beloved Lady, we expect great things from you. For this reason we ask you: Descend, Mary, descend…” and widely open your heart and that of your Son”. (JK) Show yourself to us as a solicitous Mother to those who come here, as a guide who indicates the right road, and as a wise educator.
From here, send us forth as your instruments 
to our places, so that many will experience your merciful love, through our people. Along with our Founder, Father Kentenich, we pray: “Sta et tene locum a Deo tibi ab aeterno praeparatum! Remain in your place and occupy the place that God prepared for you from all eternity! In other words: Remain in your place! Which in means: “Be the Queen of our hearts, remain eternally as the Queen of our hearts!” (5-31-1966).
Many stood in the long line in front of the Shrine waitng for their turn to visit it
Immediately after the blessing ceremony of the Shrine, everyone of course wanted to ask for their three petitions ( Note from the translator: it is a tradition in Europe to ask for three petitions when you visit a church for the first time). Fortunately some of us were among the first twenty to enter the Shrine to visit our Lady and her beloved Son in their new home. After the profound and solemn blessing ceremony, there was a confraternity among the participants with a dinner and typical dances. Of course, we, the Swiss, also made our small contribution to this celebration by singing a Song of the Alps, and we offered the Croatian Schoenstatt Family a wax candle in the shape of a crown that a member of the Girls’ Youth had molded especially for this occasion.
The participant’s impressions of the blessing ceremony of the Shrine
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“It was a great joy for me to see such a large number of people coming on pilgrimage to the Shrine. At the same time, I also noticed how many hearts were open and which have a profound love of Most Holy Mary. In this way, I was also able to “regain” my strength, and I know that the MTA will take perfect care of our petitions as well as those of the Croatian Schoenstatt Family. Our hearts should return to the Shrine again and again.
I know that there are innumerable fruits that emanate from this Shrine. One lady who lives close to the Shrine told me: “It wasn’t until yesterday, on the day of the blessing, when I saw so many people arrive, that I realized the great importance of this Shrine for our area and what a blessing this is.”
I believe that we can “learn” some piety from the Croatians. -
” What really enthused me was to see so many people praying, singing and jointly participating in the blessing of the Shrine, which motivated me to take this joy home with me. -
“The welcome of our host families was cordial and joyful; they had already impressed me. I was very happy after the surprise close to the little Chapel with the large heart around it.
I was also was happy to see so many participants who calmly paid attention to the development of the program throughout the afternoon. The sky was clear, especially at 4:00 p.m. at the time of the blessing, when the youth brought Our Lady with profound interior joy…Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA/Melissa Janknegt,Elgin, USA
>>> Photos of the Blessing- Photos: Andrea Kempter and Nadia Bächtiger
