Fr. José Luis Correa. In Schoenstatt, we have interpreted both events as a happy “God-incidence”….. an enormous gift from Divine Providence. In fact, the four Schoenstatt priestly communities had been reflecting for quite some time, before the announcement came from Rome, on how to celebrate the coming year in light of the centennial anniversary of the priestly ordination of their founder. In the meantime, some things have fallen into place; for example, the dates for the celebrations. The World Encounter for Priests, convoked by Pope Benedict XVI to close the Year for Priests, will take place on June 11, 2010. It includes a vigil at St. Peter’s on the previous afternoon.
Schoenstatt, along with the priests from the Focolare Movement and other communities and priestly groups from other Ecclesial Movements, is organizing for the afternoon of June 9th, an open encounter for all interested priests and those priests close to those charisms which the Holy Spirit has brought forth for the good of the entire Church and also for the good of priests. In fact, the Movements are a great help to the priests. This is also highlighted by the Holy Father in his Letter convoking the Year for Priests.
The Holy Father could crown Mary as Queen of Priests
On the other hand, as Schoenstatt Movement, we have sent to the Congregation for the Clergy, the Roman dicastery responsible for organizing this Year for Priests, several proposals for the entire year and some for the conclusion of the year; for example, that the Pope crowns the Virgin Mary as Queen of Priests. We can be very happy about this since some of the suggestions have been immediately accepted and are being implemented. We are in permanent and fluent dialog with the Prefect and the Secretary of that Vatican Congregation, Cardinal Claudio Hummes and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, respectively.
We want to place at the service of the Holy Church, the charism and the person of Father Kentenich as a model of priestly life, remembering the words of His Holiness John Paul II in his first visit to Germany in 1980. In addition, we have a Blessed Schoenstatt diocesan priest on his way to canonization, the martyr Father Carl Maria Leisner, and a seminarian who was a student at the time of Schoenstatt’s foundation, the Servant of God Joseph Engling (his cause for beatification has passed the Rome phase). As an aspirant to the priesthood, he sanctified himself by applying all he learned from Father Kentenich.
Upon concluding the encounter with the Pope on June 11, 2010, we Schoenstatters will gather in the afternoon of that Friday at the Belmonte Shrine in Rome.
Priesthood conference at the Original Shrine to penetrate into the priesthood of Father Kentenich
Some days later, at the Original Shrine and at the tomb of the father and founder, the priesthood conference in Schoenstatt (June 20-24) will take place in the houses of the priestly communities of the Schoenstatt Family. We will penetrate into some of the central aspects of the priesthood of Father Kentenich. There will be opportunities for great exchange, sharing of testimonies, etc. All priests who belong to Schoenstatt or are friends of the Movement either through the Rosary Campaign of the Pilgrim Virgin or otherwise are invited to this important event.
“Called, Consecrated, Sent”
Some publications supporting this entire process have begun to appear. Among them, it is important to highlight “SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT” and “PRIESTLY FATHERLINESS” published in Chile. Also, work is being done on the translation of the collection of texts by Father Kentenich on the priesthood edited by Msgr. Peter Wolf in German (“CALLED, CONSECRATED, SENT”). In light of this jubilee, two other publications in German have been planned: a book of testimonies on the priest Joseph Kentenich and a scientific publication with reflections on the priesthood. On their part, Editorial Patris from Chile and Argentina have also decided to publish other books in the context of this jubilee year. Firstly, it is about two texts by Fr. Guillermo Carmona on the vocation to the priesthood and on celibacy and virginity, and, secondly, a book with testimonies of priests where they share what motivated them to decide for the priesthood.
The First Course of the Federation of Diocesan Priests in Chile celebrates its meeting of initiation in the shadow of the Cenacle Shrine of Bellavista
Likewise, as it is yearly, in January of 2010, the meeting for diocesan priests will take place on January 25-28 in Bellavista at Casa San José. At the end of this meeting, the meeting of initiation for the first course of the Schoenstatt Federation of Diocesan Priests in Chile will take place.
I conclude encouraging everyone to pray for the priests the prayer composed by the Pope for this year and to make possible for many priests the access to all this which we place at their disposition for their sanctification (literature, meetings, etc.). If all of this would be crowned with the arrival of the beatification process of Father Kentenich to Rome, it would certainly be an extraordinary gift of generosity from God. We ask for this through the powerful intercession of the Blessed Mother in the Shrine.
That sounds wonderful!! Thank you Carlos for the translation.
Let’s continue praying that our dear Father and Founder canonization becomes a reality soon. Keep those novenas coming Schoenstatters!