Posted On 2011-08-18 In Covenant Life

“Gymnich is the greatest!”

170 Jugendliche aus Paraguay vor dem Geburtshaus Pater Kentenich in GymnichGERMANY, Petra Stegemann/Sponsor association Birthplace of Father Joseph Kentenich. “Gymnich is the greatest!” This was the headline of a local newspaper in the city of Cologne when it published the news on 8-13-11 about the visit of 170 Paraguayan youth to Gymnich).

 

 

 

Drei Busse reichten gerade...

170 Jugendliche aus Paraguay vor dem Geburtshaus Pater Kentenich in Gymnich“Gymnich is the greatest!” This expression made by Santiago Yegros does not exclusively apply to the 170 Paraguayan youth who accompanied him; others visiting Gymnich had the same reaction. During July and August, the following groups of pilgrims -the majority of them youth- were in Gymnich to visit Father Kentenich’s birthplace: 50 from Portugal, 21 from Switzerland, 17 from Argentina, 42 from Chile, 13 others from Chile, 30 from Brazil, 41 Chile, 75 from Brazil, 49 from Chile, 46 from Ecuador, and another group of 23 from Ecuador…

Other groups of Argentineans and Chileans have announced their visit, and in between there will also be large and small groups, and there will also be courses from several Schoenstatt communities.

The Sponsor Association of Father Joseph Kentenich’s Birthplace, especially Ludwig Schlömer and Ludwig Reimers, offer guided visits. These visits include the parish of Gymnich where Joseph Kentenich was baptized on November 18, 1885.

Many groups organized a solemn Holy Mass with the renewal of the baptismal promises. The garden also offers a place for reflection with its commemorate monoliths about the life of Father Joseph Kentenich.

The groups accepted the offer of the two menus that the Sponsor Association Birthplace of Joseph Kentenich provided at a good price.

A fruit of World Youth Day in Cologne

Diese Fahnen wehen jetzt in MadridBefore WYD 2005, the pastor of the place, Father Josef Pikos, along with two couples, the Lichtschlägers and Stegemanns, and other neighbors from Gymnich founded the Sponsor Association “Birthplace of Father Joseph Kentenich”, motivated, impelled, and accompanied in the endeavor by the Schoenstatt Fathers through Father Carlos Bausenhart (deceased: November 27, 2006).

Important works of restoration and maintenance were carried out, under the first President, Karlheinz Lichtschläger (deceased: July 31, 2009), which made it possible to welcome large groups of visitors.

The planned expansion of the commemorative place is presently carried out with the valuable backing of the district leader, Mr. Werner Stump, the regent mayor, Dr. Rips, and the first mayor, Mr. Fred Schmitz.

The largest group was from Paraguay

Vor der Taufkirche The deputy, Gregor Golland, described the birthplace as a jewel that, as of now, is worthwhile to make it shine. On Friday, he was very enthusiastic before the magnificent charisma of the Paraguayan youth.

They arrived accompanied by a Schoenstatt Father and three Sisters of Mary, who he enthusiastically met in front of the birthplace. They participated in the guided tour in small groups, while the others waved their flags, and sang with great animation in front of the house and in the garden.

One of the participants said, “Our Catholic faith and the interest in Father Kentenich brought us here.”

The youth radiated an enormously, positive dynamism during the Holy Mass, which was celebrated in Spanish and German as a gesture of respect and friendship with the German hosts.

The great joy of the youth was expressed with strong applause, tambourines, and guitar music; they are on their way to WYD in Madrid. “Over there we will meet Schoenstatters from the allover the world. It will be a great celebration.”

Those who saw these youth here in Gymnich immediately believed their words! Those who have shared their enthusiasm would wholeheartedly like to travel with them to Madrid.

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Translation: Celina Garza, Melissa Janknegt, USA

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