PORTUGAL, mkf. The time has arrived! On Sunday, April 18th, the Schoenstatt Family in Portugal celebrates its 50 years in the country at the National Shrine of the Blessed Mother of Fátima. And this culminating moment will be transmitted direct through the camera that works 24 hours at the Shrine of Fatima.
Father Francisco Sobral wrote from Lisbon: “On the occasion of the Golden Anniversary of the Schoenstatt Family we will make a brief visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima on Sunday, April 18th, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (local time). If it were possible, it would be beautiful if it was transmitted directly from Fatima -through the Internet – and that it to appear on our web page. Then the entire world could pray with us”.
TODAY, April 18th we will pray here along with all the Schoenstatt Family in Portugal!
We will commemorate the 50 years of Schoenstatt’s presence in Portugal, and for this reason we will celebrate! This can be read on Portugal’s web page. An anniversary such as this is a time of special graces. It is a celebration, a celebration of the gift received from God, and to which He invites us. Among other things, this anniversary includes new life, the renwal of all things, reconciliation, pardon.and the joy of unity. It is the time to renew the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother in the Schoenstatt Shrines, and in this way return to the source. It is in this spirit that we want to experience the national encounter that will be held on April 18th in Fatima. Upon reaching the 50 years of Schoenstatt’s founding in Portugal, we understand that it is the precise moment to express gratitude and to joyfully renew our commitment with the mission and the inheritance of our Father and Founder. For this reason, contrary to the usual practice, we will not carry out the three day pilgrimage to Fatima, in order to concentrate the effort to celebrate this anniversary, on April 18th at Fatima”
This celebration was preceded by a day of pilgrimage on foot, on April 17th, which departed from the train station named “Fatima” to the Shrine of the Blessed Mother traveling approximately 22 kilometers.
Congratulations from the Original Shrine, Schoenstatt Family in Portugal!
