CHILE, Sister Jimena Alliende/mkf. Without a doubt, Chile is on the way toward 2014. There are ribbons on the national flags with the Schoenstatt logo and the International motto for 2014. There is also a photo of the Original Shrine in every Shrine, and a triptych representing the streams of this triennium that will take us on to 2014 that speaks for itself. Everything began with the solemn opening of the triennium in the country’s Shrines and Wayside Shrines and with the Delegates’ Conference in October.
Six hundred people representing Schoenstatt, which is present in each of the country’s dioceses from Arica to Punta Arenas joined by a network of Shrines and Wayside Shrines, were convoked by the same main idea: to go forward toward the jubilee of 2014, to fall in love once more of the Covenant of Love that explains so many things in personal life and that of the Movement. This conference was lived as an experience that undoubtedly marked the itinerary toward October 18, 2014.
It is the generation of the Schoenstatt centennial in the world!
They departed happy, very happy, and there was sufficient reason. Several factors came together apart from everything that the Blessed Mother and the Founder gave through their own initiative in their new presence; they are the most interested in the event.
The delegates came prepared, and they showed it in the animation that transpired when they met old friends – and others -, all of them carried the picture of the Original Shrine in their hands that had presided at the opening of the triennium in each place on October 18th along with a Chilean flag that has become the most important symbol during this bicentennial year of the nation. It felt as if the experience was still fresh. It is the worldwide Schoenstatt centennial generation with pride and responsibility, especially since it was inaugurated during a celebration of the 200th year of independ-ence marked by unusual events.
The Jubilee logo was seen from the Cenacle
Bellavista was at its best in creating an appropriate atmosphere to tug deeply at those who believe that they are protagonists and witnesses of a charism destined to travel with gusto in the life of the Church. Everything was filled with red flags. Father’s statue has a special bearing with the flags, especially the one of the Centennial Jubilee. The logo printed on this flag will accompany us during these three years. Suggestions were proposed from allover, and the one from Ecuador was chosen. Each symbol has a meaning: the Shrine, the world, and the three wavy red lines representing the stream of the three graces that have flooded the five continents, and from the Cenacle, we can see the mission expanding like the fire of the Cenacle.
For some unknown reason, a rumor began to spread that it was better to go to Schoenstatt on another date and not on October 18th because everything was already full. At the assembly, Father José María García invited everyone to attend on October 18th. Everyone can come on October 18th and should do so if one wants to experience the jubilee fully in Schoenstatt as well as in Rome and not just by making a local or community pilgrimage before or after this date.
Flags and jars
Outside of the Shrine, there were two bouquets, and by the way they were placed, it was in the purest style of worldwide encounters of all kinds – there were Chilean flags from throughout the country. This emphasized the relationship of the Shrine with everything that has been experienced in the country during this year. Inside, many jars were visible in the presbytery along with the beautiful floral arrangement; the jars were inscribed with: nothing without you, nothing without us. At the moment of the sending forth, each coordinator took one to his/her place of origin. On the way to the conference hall, there were pennants of the Shrines or wayside shrines from each place with details of the places that marked their originality with symbols.
The mystery of Schoenstatt
Another reason to return home happy was the simplicity and closeness of the main theme that was the main point of the conference: the mystery of Schoenstatt – the Blessed Mother, who established herself in the Original Shrine in a covenant sealed with our Father that involves all of us in a mission of expanding the mission of Mary in the world and in the Church. Schoenstatt Mystery! Don’t we know this by heart? This message was heard with the same attention and fascination as if it were the first time we heard it. We truly enjoy savoring this world in which we believe and which we know is an enormous gift. And it also influenced the main theme presented by Sister María Jesus adviser of the Girls’ Youth that was very practical, concrete, interesting, and easily to apply to daily life. And no less important was the smile and joy which she radiated by speaking about this subject. This talk will serve as very good input for the later meetings within the local families or branches.
An experiential Conference
It was an experiential conference, difficult to explain with words. The schedule was well planned nothing was either too long or too deep, however it was very eloquent at the same time. The youth dramatized the event of Father’s consecration at the age of nine in a very original manner. Brief, motivational audio-visuals were presented. The testimonies were the substance of genuine people: Father José Manuel López spoke about Father Hernán Allesandri, Carmen Delia Sepúlveda illustrated Barbara Kast and Isabel Margarita González spoke about Mario Hiriart. The main idea was how the Covenant of Love molded them.
Pilgrimage to Maipú
Everyone returned motivated from the pilgrimage to Maipú, the Chilean National Shrine. On Saturday afternoon they were very touched by what Father Carlos Cox read what Father Kentenich told Father Joaquin Alliende in 1963 when on behalf of the Schoenstatt Fathers he would be in charge of the pastoral of the national church dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen. To the surprise of many, Father involved the entire Chilean Family.
Father Mariano Irureta gave a very motivational talk in line with the main idea of the conference. In general, the pilgrimage to this holy place gave the impression that the Schoenstatt presence was expressed in the life of the Church. (It is common to use the expression: we give Schoenstatt to the Church! But this phrase should be given up once and forever as it causes some confusion: the charism of Schoenstatt belongs to the Catholic Church! We are not beyond the borders of the church but a vital part of it!).
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Unity Cross
There is no shortage of jubilees. It is also the 50th Anniversary of the Unity Cross! Father Luis Ramirez motivated this idea with great zeal.
Now we must transmit what we have received that is so essential for Schoenstatt in every Shrine, Wayside Shrine, area, Institute, Federation, League, and to pilgrims, within the context of a bicentennial marked by the earthquake and the rescue of the miners in the northern part of the country.
Ah! I almost omitted something important. The missionary of the Pilgrim MTA in Copiapó was present; she took the Pilgrim MTA to the thirty-three miners at the bottom of the mine, 620 meters below the earth. This was very symbolic!
Source: Vínculo, Magazine of the Schoenstatt Movement from Chile and mundoschoenstatt
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio/Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
