USA, Carlos Cantú. It was a beautiful evening, cool enough for a jacket, and it was a still night, exuding solemnity. There was a sense that something majestic was taking place. There were about 200 persons present for the 6:00 PM Mass at Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in McAllen, Texas USA. Our Movement Director in Texas, Schoenstatt Father Héctor Vega, was concelebrating the Mass with Father Carlos Zúñiga, pastor of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.
The 5th Wayside Shrine in the Diocese of Brownsville
The 5th Schoenstatt Wayside Shrine in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas would be blessed after Mass. In addition to the local parishioners, Schoenstatters from McAllen, Edinburg, Weslaco, Progreso, La Feria, and Harlingen were in attendance. Father Carlos expressed his gratitude to those Schoenstatters who had come from other parts of the diocese. In his homily, Fr. Héctor spoke on the significance of the Schoenstatt Original Shrine and its extention through the Daughter Shrines, Wayside Shrines, Home Shrines, Heart Shrines and ultimately through the Pilgrim MTA setting out from the Shrine. He highlighted the special graces Our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt dispenses to all who come to her. The picture of the Mother Thrice Admirable which would adorn the new Wayside Shrine was attractively situated near the altar so that She could be seen by all.
An ocean of roses
After Mass, a solemn procession ensued following Fr. Carlos carrying the image of Our Mother and Queen to her new home which is strategically located between the parish church and the parish hall. What appeared to be an ocean of roses awaited Our Mother. At the Wayside Shrine, Father Carlos spoke a few words of introduction and Father Héctor read a portion of a text detailing the significance of the Shrine highlighting the following: “The experience of the Schoenstatt Shrine is that – there – the Virgin acts as Mother, Queen, and Victress, manifested in three special graces: the graces of a home, transformation, and apostolic fruitfulness. These same pilgrimage graces are also dispensed at the Wayside Shrines where the faithful go on pilgrimage and surrender to the Virgin of Schoenstatt their spiritual gifts since the action of the Virgin depends on the generosity in the exchange of gifts. The dynamic exchange in the Shrines and Wayside Shrines creates a giving and exchanging of gifts between the pilgrims and the Mother Thrice Admirable.”
Let us reflect your image and walk through life entirely like you
The ritual used followed a format which was a type of dialog between the pastor and the faithful. When the pastor asked: “Are you willing to accept the spiritual presence of our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt in this Wayside Shrine, to attach yourselves to Her and to this Wayside Shrine as a holy place and a place of spiritual renewal?” All responded: “Let us reflect your image and walk through life entirely like you: strong and noble, simple and kind, spreading love and peace and joy. In us go through our times and make them ready for Christ.” At another point he asked: “Do you believe that the Blessed Virgin, as Mother of Jesus and our Mother, wants to help solve the problems of our lives and those of others from this place?” All responded: “Yes, we believe!”
An historic event for the diocese
After the two priests blessed the Wayside Shrine, all devoutly prayed the Covenant of Love prayer: My Queen, my Mother….. After a final benediction, Father Carlos proclaimed in a loud voice: “Long live Christ the King!” And all joyfully responded: “And His Mother Mary too!” Many then personally greeted Blessed Mother in her new home and entrusted their petitions to Her. Everyone then enjoyed refreshments.
This was indeed an historic event in our Texas Schoenstatt history, and especially so in our Schoenstatt history in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas.
A bit of history
I think it is important to offer a bit of history which led up to this event. By the way, the Wayside Shrine was dedicated on December 18, 2010, a very special day for Father Carlos because earlier that day, his twin brother was ordained to the permanent deaconate. Quite a few years ago, Father’s sister-in-law delivered a premature baby girl. The child had numerous health issues and was in a delicate condition. At the hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, they learned of the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt and her Shrine in Rockport/Lamar which is approximately 40 miles from Corpus Christi. They went, of course, to the Shrine and a connection with the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt began. So, the uncle, the now Father Carlos, also began an attachment. Father Carlos was ordained to the priesthood in 1998 and came to minister at the parish of St. Francis Xavier in La Feria in 1999, which is the founding place of Schoenstatt in the Diocese of Brownsville. In La Feria, Father Carlos deepened his knowledge of Schoenstatt and sealed his Covenant of Love with her in 2000. In 2002, Father Carlos attended the National Leaders Convention in Waukesha, Wisconsin and in 2004, he went on pilgrimage to original Schoenstatt in Germany with the Texas Schoenstatt Family.
Loyalty
The first Wayside Shrine in the Diocese of Brownsville was dedicated in 1964, the 50th anniversary of the founding of Schoenstatt. On the 25th anniversary of this Wayside Shrine in 1989, the local Movement gave it the title of “Shrine of Loyalty” because they believed that Blessed Mother had blessed them with loyalty, not only to Schoenstatt but to the Church and family as well. As it would happen, the parish of St. Francis Xavier in La Feria, Texas became divided between the old property and the new property. Due to the need for expansion, property was secured for a new church and new facilities. The new church was built in 1992…..so, that meant that the old church and the Schoenstatt Wayside Shrine were on the old property. Plans for the sale of the old property continue, but it was decided to build a new Wayside Shrine on the new church property…..but, what about the Wayside Shrine on the old property? After prayer and discussion, the solution was that Father Carlos wanted the Wayside Shrine at his parish where 15 Pilgrim MTA’s now visit the families and many now find their way to the Schoenstatt Shrine in Rockport/Lamar with the guidance of Father Carlos. Studies to move the Wayside Shrine indicated that if this were done, it would be harmful to the Wayside Shrine and that prompted Father Carlos and his parishioners to build a new Wayside Shrine on the grounds of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in McAllen, Texas USA! Blessed Mother continues to be visited by many at her Wayside Shrine on the old parish grounds in La Feria, especially by a group of senior citizens who attend an Adult Day Care Center in the parish hall on the old church grounds. The local Movement sponsors a Rosary there on the first Saturday of the month, thus continuing to thank Blessed Mother for her gift of loyalty!
Hello,first,best greetings to Schwester Alicia Vogl,I knowed she in Queretaro,when I was working in San Miguel de Allende,Mexico,but I haven´t seen she for a very long time,hope she is fine.
I want to make a peticion,because I have a friend,we knowed they for a long time and now he is a little sick in the heart and he must go to a hospital in Baden,Austria. If you can pray for him please,he knowed the Schönstatt-sisters,because I talked very much about this organisation,one time I had a very bad case,too in my family in Mexico and she get well.I believe very much in the Schönstatt-sisters. The name of the friend is FRANZ HAMETNER. I like it so much to write in english,spanish,too,of course,but my motherlanguage is german of course. So thank you very much for all,my work is in Tirol,can see the webside: http://www.hotelkarlwirt.at Greetings from Austria,Viele Grüsse aus Österreich,Christian Stockinger