GERMANY, Sandra Lezcano. It is always a great joy to go to Gymnich to Father’s home. More and more in the minds of many Schoenstatters the word Gymnich is associated with a family atmosphere, with sheltering, with joy, and above all with the Kentenich family. On the occasion of the 125th Anniversary of Father Joseph Kentenich’s birth, Saint Kunibert Parish in Gymnich united the association that sponsors Father Joseph Kentenich’s birth home and the Schoenstatt Family by inviting them to come to Gymnich. On November 22nd, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, the press, and hundreds of people arrived at this small town near Cologne. On November 16, 1885, a child was born here who was not appreciated at first perhaps because of the circumstances of his birth. At that time, he was not recognized, and yet today he is more and more venerated in Gymnich, his birthplace, and throughout the Schoenstatt world.
The internationality of Schoenstatt as a family
A bus left Schoenstatt for Gymnich that morning; it was truly a family outing. Father Peter Noethen, Rector of the Provincial House of the Schoenstatt Fathers at Mount Sion, welcomed everyone warmly. Schoenstatt Fathers, Sisters of Mary, the girls from Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay who are spending time in Schoenstatt were among the passengers. There were also deacons and priests from India, Burundi, and the Congo who were participating in the tertiary at Mount Zion in the company of Fathers Locher and Andrew Pastore. There were also several Schoenstatters who live near Schoenstatt and me: a Paraguayan volunteer at the Press Office.
During the trip we had a beautiful experience: the holy rosary led by Father Andrew Pastore was prayed in common in German, English, Spanish and French, with songs between each mystery. Everyone had a printed copy of the prayer of the rosary in the different languages, in order to follow it, and in this way to unite as an international family.
But you, Gymnich, although you are small among the city of Rhineland
We arrived at our destination, Father Kentenich’s home, from where the procession would depart minutes later.
The arrival of Cardinal Meisner was a very festive moment for everyone; he had left a day earlier for a consistory meeting of Cardinals and then to be in Gymnich on this day.
After Father Joseph Pikos welcomed the Cardinal, the procession began: led by the altar boys, followed by the Rifle Club from Saint Kunibert, the deacons, priests, the Cardinal and all the faithful.
A great figure from Rhineland
The Mass was beautiful, the effort and the affection of those who prepared it was noticeable. A wonderful choir accompanied the Mass. The cardinal presented a homily that truly transmitted energy, optimism and it encouraged everyone present. Paraphrasing the words of (Micah 5:8) about Bethlehem (“But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel,”) he said, “But you Gymnich, although you are small among the cities of Rhineland, the Founder of Schoenstatt came from you.” He continued: “On the Feast of Christ the King, we celebrate that God does the greatest with the smallest, with the humble. That is God’s style,” he stressed. “Let us look at this great figure from Rhineland, the Founder of Schoenstatt, to receive orientation from him during these times. Like all great Mary’s founders, he found the model for being a disciple of God. He mentioned the Fiat (the Yes), the Magnificat (the hymn of praise of God), and the “beata quia credidisti”, the faith of Mary as three moments in the life of a disciple of Christ that can also be observed in the life of Father Kentenich.
During the offertory, the Cardinal was enthused when he received a small model of the Schoenstatt Shrine that was presented to him as souvenir of his visit to Gymnich…but later it became known that it only had been loaned for the Mass. Father Noethen probably had to tell the small Shrine’s owner about the change of plans for this small Shrine.
An afternoon of celebrations for Father Kentenich
After the Holy Mass, the entire group went to the hunting lodge, where through the work of Divine Providence, the more than five hundred people who participated in the Eucharist could enter. Everything was prepared; it was a festive atmosphere. The stage was full of white roses with a photo of Joseph Kentenich as a child along with one of his mother, Catherine, and one of Gymnich.
Between songs after lunch, there were talks by the pastor, Father Joseph Pikos and by Father Willi Josef Platz, Director of the Schoenstatt Movement from the Diocese of Cologne, Dr. Franz Georg Rips (Mayor of Arftstadt), and the district leader, Mr. Werner Stump.
A stronger attachment
Both had already visited Schoenstatt, and they gave an impressive testimony about their admiration for Father Kentenich. “He is one of the most outstanding representatives of the Catholic Church of recent times,” said Franz Georg Rips. Mr. Werner Stump, the district leader, related that he had contact with Schoenstatt as a child through his parents, but it was only within the last two years that he learned about Father Kentenich and his work more in depth, and that he was fascinated with his person and his modern spirituality. He was also impressed by his sincerity and his resilience. He expressed his desire of having a stronger attachment between Gymnich, Father Kentenich, and Schoenstatt.
the women’s situation at the end of the 19th century
Mrs. Kläre Schmitz also gave an impressive talk about the women’s situation, especially of single mothers at the end of the 19th century; in this way, she illustrated what Catherine Kentenich had experienced. She presented written translations in Spanish and English.
Later Father Ángel Strada informed us about Father Kentenich’s process of beatification; he explained everything that has been done and also all that still needs to be done. In addition, each person who went to the stage presented a white rose to the Father and Founder.
Gymnich and Schoenstatt united by the Father and Founder
Next there was a cultural presentation by the children from the Gymnich kindergarten, the families, deacons, the tertiary Fathers, and the girls spending time in Schoenstatt. Father Noethen directed the movement on the stage, and the children expressed their appreciation by giving them a photo of Father Kentenich. After the celebration, Father Heinrich Walter expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire Schoenstatt Work, and he and the priests who were present blessed everyone attending this event.
Outside of the building, there was a small stand that was prepared by Father’s Secretariat, where Sisters M. Adele and M. Resia, along with Mr. Labe, offered Father Kentenich novenas, texts, and they invited the people from Gymnich to learn about the meeting place with Father Kentenich in the Kentenich House on Mount Schoenstatt. Many people showed interest in the material.
Father’s house, a place that shelters many
When we boarded the bus to return to Schoenstatt, we had the opportunity to greet Father Kentenich at the home of his birth. It was magical to see Father’s illuminated house in the darkness. From afar, the silhouettes of the people inside could be seen. The house is small, but a great number of people entered to visit it. It was the perfect highlight to conclude the day in Gymnich.
This beautiful day we experienced at the birthplace of the Father and Founder was a special way to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of his birth, and to get a glimpse of everything that Catherine Kentenich had to experience so that her son could become the great man that people today consider as their Father.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio/Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
