A Covenant for a New American Generation

USA, Harry Weaver. Late at night on Saturday May 7^th, 2011, around twenty young men from the University of Texas at Austin were celebrating Mass in the Schoenstatt Shrine in San Antonio, Texas during their closing retreat of the spring semester. As several of the University Men’s Branch members were saying their goodbyes during Mass, the retreat seemed to be coming to an end. However, the next day had much more in store for eleven of its members. On Sunday May 8^th in the Shrine, those eleven members sealed their Covenants of Love.

Preparing for the Covenant of Love

The next day, the men were getting dressed in their suits, preparing for the day to come. While much work needed to be done with the land, it was quite apparent that the work was incredibly unimportant compared to their exchange of hearts with the Blessed Mother that was about to occur.

As friends and family came pouring into the land, most of which made the almost two hour drive from Austin to San Antonio, the eleven started to make their way up to the Shrine to once again prepare themselves for this Covenant.

Be Transformed

The Shrine was packed, with many of the visitors having to sit with umbrellas under the intense San Antonio sun in the overflow section outside. As mass began, the song “Be Transformed,” a Schoenstatt University Men original and favorite, flooded the whole Shrine. It was fitting start given the transformation that was about to occur among the hearts of the eleven.

When the Covenant rite concluded, the eleven stood their hearts ablaze for the blessed Mother. As one of the eleven, I can truly say that the experience was completely transforming. I sit here writing this with my Covenant medal around my neck, still not exactly sure what the Covenant will bring to my life, but I am positive that nothing but beauty will come from sealing it.

Graces flowing from the Shrine

The Schoenstatt University Men’s Branch in Austin is so new, but the graces flowing from the Shrine to it have been so great.

With several of its graduated men in the Schoenstatt Fathers` seminary in Chile and more around America doing great things with their faith, we are truly trying to renew the world and fulfill our ideal “Transforming Hearts with Mary”.

If you have yet to hear about us, we hope that someday you will remember us as being some of the great American saints of tomorrow.