COSTA RICA, Michelle Ramírez. The Schoenstatt Family from Costa Rica experienced “a little bit of heaven” through the visit of Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, who traveled to Costa Rica to participate in the Third Encounter of the Members and Consultants of the Pontifical Council for Culture and Presidents of the Commissions of Culture of the Episcopal Conferences of America with headquarters in Costa Rica. Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz is a Schoenstatt Father and he was President of the General Presidency for several years.
The excitement grew before he had landed…the desire of a possible fleeting encounter between the cardinal and the Family became more and more intense. It was 10:30 a.m. and a group of pilgrims waited outside the San José airport with posters and songs. Five minutes were enough for the Family to be with the Cardinal to make all the time they waited worthwhile.
Providence prepared the way
Father Guillermo Muzquiz, was also in Costa Rica because of his regular visits as adviser of the Movement in Costa Rica. Among all the gifts which are received from the adviser, on this occasion the Covenant of Love of 74 people from the different branches, caught the attention of the Family. The Blessed Mother, who cannot be outdone in generosity, showered graces, because not only the personal Covenants and those of couples’ and youth were celebrated, rather a new member of the family of God the Father made her baptismal covenant and was presented to all the Schoenstatters. The little girl, Clara Gonzáles Alfonso, is the daughter of the first couple among Schoenstatters and granddaughter of two couples of the Founding Generation. Both con-celebrants, dressed in blue, led the procession of all the future allies.
A very special call
The adviser was called by the Bishop from San José, Father Hugo Barrantes to participate in the Eucharistic celebration at the Metropolitan Cathedral along with the other bishops and cardinals.
“It was impressive to see him enter with the procession of priests, bishops and cardinals…we felt very proud of him…The Blessed Mother rewarded him for his efforts and sacrifices…the cardinal will find out about all the life that has taken placed here in Costa Rica”…this is a gift!, a pilgrim expressed.
A surprise celebration for Father!
But the emotions did not end there…The family of C.R. organized a surprise birthday celebration for Father Guillermo, in gratitude for his loyalty and giving of self. About 200 people eagerly awaited Father Guillermo’s arrival…he was truly surprised!!! And when it seemed that the surprise had been a success another one and a great one arrived…it was Cardinal Errázuriz, who came out from among the multitude and embraced him with special affection!
The following day at the Movement House…
Father Guillermo had already departed for Mexico…and the Cardinal wanted to be in the presence of the Family once again.
He entered and he went through the Movement House and he commented with admiration that Costa Rica “had a unique idea with the Priest Tree”, then he entered the Home Shrine and he looked at the Shingle from the Original Shrine, and he reflectively said, “This is the Cornerstone of the future Shrine”…he prayed in the Homeshrine and he blessed the family from Costa Rica.
“We were marked by the great simplicity and humility of the Cardinal. It was impressive to see how Father Kentenich’s face is reflected in him; to see him was like being in the presence of Father. When he spoke about his encounters with Father Kentenich his face was transformed with a joy and a special glow (it was the same feeling we experienced in Milwaukee with the people that we met). It was truly a super enriching experience, Lorena Mesalles de Perdomo manifested…
“It was an honor to meet such an important person in the hierarchy of the Church, and at the same time one who is so humble and so human, so committed to the service of God. The mission of the bishops and cardinals is so complex and so important! It is very important that we, as Catholics, ALWAYS pray that they will know how to interpret what God is asking and that He gives them to strength to follow Him”, Sylvia Vieto de Alvarez shared.
“We are called to have a Heavenly Vocation”
Cardinal Errázuriz bid farewell to Costa Rica on Sunday, the Feast of All Saints, with an unforgettable homily…and he reminded us that the people’s constant search for happiness and peace…is a Heavenly Vocation with which we are born as children of God…it is a desire which people never stop searching for and reaching for and to recall that this fullness is reached in heaven.
It is similar of the growth that Costa Rica has for the desire of conquering and working to attain the future Shrine. Costa Rica searches for, grows and multiplies to accomplish seeing and feeling that little bit of heaven when they will someday enter their own Schoenstatt Daughter Shrine.
