COSTA RICA, Rudy Sauter and Marianella Coto. The Schoenstatt Family experienced great joy during the twelve-day visit of their adviser, Father Juan Guillermo Múzquiz. One hundred twenty-three Covenants of Love were celebrated! Yes celebrated! Amid so much joy, there is special outstanding news: The Blessed Mother has sealed her Covenant with the first diocesan priest in Costa Rica!
A day filled with graces and much joy was experienced. Father Carlos Humberto Abarca Herrera from Perpetual Help Parish, sealed a gift of the Most Holy Virgin, the Covenant, with the Mother Thrice Admirable and Victress of Schoenstatt.
A group of forty-two people from the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign also joyfully sealed their Covenants of Love during a morning Mass celebrated by Father Juan Guillermo Múzquiz – the naves of the church were filled. Many of the faithful and Schoenstatters enjoyed this great gift: She, as intercessor, showered abundant graces.
We filled the jars with our gifts…
The ceremony was somber and simple. Father Carlos offered to keep the niche with the picture of the MTA that was filled with flowers in order. The thing he admires the most about the Schoenstatters of his parish is their joy and solidarity in whatever they propose to do.
“I am certain that in all that I do, although I may only give 1% effort, I can count on the help of the Blessed Mother, who will always give 100%. I appreciate the presence of Father Guillermo, who always gives us great peace and above all much joy during his visits.”
One hundred twenty-three more committed
Two days before the date that marked the 125th Anniversary of the birth of Father Joseph Kentenich, there was another reason for celebration in the Movement house. Three new Couples’ Groups: Oaks, Apprentices, and Friends of Mary, sealed their Covenants of Love with the MTA savoring the fruitful effort of almost two years of preparation, of bonding among themselves, and united to Her heart.
Their greatest desire is to joyfully serve and to ask for the powerful help of Mary to attain a profound and permanent conversion.
With a joyful gaze…
The members of each group were filled with a special joy, reflected not in just their smiles, but rather their joyful gazes. Everyone was dressed in white as a symbol of purity and their willingness to renew the baptismal covenant with the Blessed Mother.
Before the Eucharistic celebration began, each one of the couples posed for a souvenir photo and then each couple holding hands went to the Home shrines where there is a shingle from the Original Shrine that for the Costa Ricans is a symbol of the presence of the Shrine on their own land. This is where they prayed their personal prayers.
The weather that night was ideal, the moon was in its fourth crescent phase, and the beautiful floral arrangements both in the Home shrine and in the Father Joseph Kentenich Hall made them feel like the favorite children of God the Father. The celebration of the Holy Mass followed.
Blessing with holy water from the Original Shrine
In the homily, Father Múzquiz recalled that Jesus compared the Kingdom of God with a banquet, where there are special guests who shared it with joy, in harmony, and in peace.
Then, a representative of each one of the groups presented the offerings with their contributions to the capital of grace that were blessed with some drops of holy water from the Original Shrine.
Once again the “ticos” (Costa Ricans) felt very fortunate, since they trust that with the help of God and the Blessed Mother the many fruits of blessing will be given to this corner of peace.
The filial covenant with the Father and Founder
On Father Kentenich’s birthday, a ladies’ group, The Sunflowers, wanted to make their commitment with him and with his Work.
They met for several days with great expectations and commitment to work on workshops. They tried to define some of the most impressive characteristics of this great man that they wanted to implement in their own lives. “We offer the best of ourselves, and he welcomes us and gives us everything that we need to carry out our mission,” says Anabelle González. Each one expressed similar sentiments in a personal letter, where they also experienced a response from Father.
Each lady wore a sunflower on her shoulder with a small picture of Father that was blessed by Father Juan Guillermo Múzquiz.
During the ceremony, each one placed their hand on the photo of the handprint of Father, and they sealed their filial Covenant in silence praying the following prayer:
“Father, we go with you. Our heart in your heart,
Our thoughts in your thoughts,
Our hands in your hand,
Your mission our mission” .
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio/ Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
