UNITED STATES/GUATEMALA, Sandy Gabriela Santaluce de García-Salas. A little while back, the testimony about my encounter with Schoenstatt in the United States was published on this web page. The article related that: “I live here with my husband because of his work, and how we, through the wonderful Schoenstatt network of attachments made contact with Schoenstatters in Guatemala, our native country.” Now I want to continue to relate how I got close to Father Kentenich, or more accurately, how he looked for me.
After finding Schoenstatt on the Internet, I have been visiting the Schoenstatt international website. It is very complete; I love to read everything.
Since I got married (almost three years ago), I am completely dedicated to my home. My husband’s company transferred him to New York before we married. We married in Guatemala, and then we moved to New York. I left everything behind including my professional work, my family, etc. Since I was a daughter devoted to her home, you can imagine how difficult it was for me, but I believe the consecrated ones and I have something in common: I left everything to follow my vocation… I never would have imagined it, but it has been a beautiful experience by the hand of Jesus and Most Holy Mary, because it could not have been any other way!
I read a lot, and we are very active in the Catholic Church in New York, since we also worked in our parish in Guatemala. However, it has not been easy to find our way here…but God was waiting for us!
What an example of life
I have signed up for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in a convent that is in the center of Manhattan. Last Monday I left Adoration with a message in my heart to ask the lady at the bookstore if she had something about Schoenstatt. You cannot imagine what happened. Although I expected a negative response, I heard a voice in my heart that told me that there would be something interesting there. Anyway, I returned and guess what? I found just one book that was waiting for me, at least that is what I believe!
It was a biography about Father Kentenich, the founder of Schoenstatt! I believe that the “Blessed Mother” as you call her has many things for me that she will reveal little by little…I am very happily reading! What an example he is! It is definitely spiritual nourishment for the soul to read these kind of books; “I feel blessed,” I said to my husband. I read during the day, and at night, I tell him how I am doing…
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
