Covenant of Love in Rome

ROME, Fr. José Luis Correa. On 31 May, the last day of the Month of Mary as well as the feast of the Visitation and the anniversary of the third milestone in the history of Schoenstatt, Fr. Simon Donnelly (from South Africa) sealed his Covenant of Love with our Mother Thrice Admirable at the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine in Rome.

Fr. Simon Donnelly, ordained as a priest last year, studies in Rome and has been attached to Schoenstatt since he was a very young boy.

Without a doubt our MTA chose this day for some reason that even Fr. Simon does not know!

By placing the Epistola Perlonga on the altar of the Shrine in Bellavista (Chile) on 31 May 1949, the founder of our Family began a crusade for an organic way of thinking, living and loving as a mission for the Church and the world.

Therefore the 31st of May is a day filled with abundant graces for Fr. Simon, for the international group that accompanied him as well as entire family that is heading towards 2014 to celebrate the centenary of the Covenant of Love.

Some ten priests from different countries (two from South Africa, two from the USA and priests from Burundi, France, Argentina the Czech Republic and Chile), as well as a large group of French seminarians, one from Rome and another from Burundi were present. And, of course, we cannot forget the Sisters of Mary who run the house.

The Shrine was full just as our Mother likes it!

The ceremony was conducted in various languages – the main language was Italian but the gospel was read in English by an American deacon. And Fr. Simon said his personal Covenant prayer in his own language.

After Mass, the Sisters had prepared a special moment to celebrate such an important event – which we all hope many will want to imitate.

Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Pretoria, South Africa