MEXICO, Eduardo Shelley. Few countries could be prouder of having such an obvious Holy Virgin as Mexico. The Virgin of Guadalupe is a national icon that crosses social classes and even religious beliefs. Before this formidable maternal presence, what chance did a German Virgin, with a name that was hard to pronounce, have in a Mexican soul?
The Schoenstatt Movement in Mexico is relatively recent. In 1977 the Sisters of Mary established themselves in Querétaro, a beautiful colonial city 200 kilometers north of Mexico City. On October 18, 1980, the country’s first Shrine, Mary, Mother and Queen, Loyal Heart of the Church, was blessed there.
Schoenstatt allover the country
The fame of the Virgin of Schoenstatt spread quickly and the Querétaro Shrine is now the pilgrimage destination from allover the country including the United States and Central America. The Blessed Mother has arrived in many homes through the Novena of the Virgin of Schoenstatt, and She has awakened the interest of the people in learning more about this Virgin and her Movement.
Presently there are also Shrines in: Chilapa, Guerrero, blessed on November 18, 1988, the San Luis Potosi one blessed on December 1, 2001, and the one in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, which was blessed on May 18, 2002. Schoenstatt communities exist in many Mexican cities such as Saltillo, Torreón, Taxco, Guadalajara, and Mexico City. We also have several priestly vocations that are being trained in the Schoenstatt seminaries.
Like a breath of fresh air
Why then, has this German Virgin gained a place in the heart of Mexicans? Perhaps it is an openness to the maternal figure of the Virgin which our Lady of Guadalupe has given us, perhaps we feel empathy with the violent atmosphere of two World Wars in Europe during which Schoenstatt flourished, and through which we have suffered in some measure during recent years. Probably the pedagogy of Father Kentenich with his emphasis on self-education and freedom have been like a breath of fresh air for our spirituality, but it is clear that the Blessed Mother has arrived in Mexico to make the hearts of all the Mexicans hers without lessening our Guadalupana identity!
Long live our Lady, Mother Thrice Admirable Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt!
Adress sent by Fr. Ignacio Camacho, Movement Director
Schoenstatt-TV will record the Holy Mass. It will be available as video-on-demand.
