Marianne Maier. A look back, over my own shoulders – Truly! I had my last celebration eight years ago. Whether I wanted it or not – and not because everyone thought I should have it! Nevertheless, what has to be has to be!
So much laughter and crying at the same time…
In itself it was a wonderful process – Preparations for one’s own celebration. It is strange and at the same time yes, it is very tiring. The truth is: I need to know how I would like it. Do I have everything under control?
A special anniversary and a look back go together. Suddenly I see that I have had a very full and colorful life: I have laughed and cried, prayed and experienced at the same time! To celebrate together is precisely what counts now. Many faces, stories, allies, contacts – yes, places also come to my mind. For weeks I have thought about, had the desire: “let’s have a celebration in my style and in a good place – preferably close to the Shrine”.
My Shrine was not available
The first thing that came to my mind was “my Shrine” where I cried loudly like a baby, where I was consecrated as an apostle of Mary, where I sang, prayed, cried, talked, laughed…and loved thousands of times. The enormous disappointment was when I received the response: “all possibilities were considered, but unfortunately the celebration cannot be at the center”. Of course, my God. Celebrations in basements are abundant. But my desire – your will? My prayer – a petition that is too big?…At any rate, the desire to be close to the shrine, of that atmosphere of the Shrine is simply too big.
The preparations are being made
The fact is that I dared to ask again and I was surprised that I did not think about the space close the Shrine. About “Yes” of the house, I am simply very happy. To cross open doors, to see what is in the next room, this sounds good to me.
Decorations, drinks, food, invitations…the preparations are underway along with daily life. Decisions about the halls or the dishes to use do not break my head. Then, a couple of days before the celebration – it could not be any other way – again stress set me on fire. I am so happy: the guests, all the friends, relatives, colleagues (almost) were not aware. Practical questions, new limitations, and unexpected conditions made me sweat. Interiorly, they tested me. Several times a day I asked: “Mari, is this really important, is it really worth it? You could have had your celebration in one of the thousands of basements that are available. And now such a whirlwind and work! Perhaps, afterwards, everyone will be upset: the atmosphere, a different celebration than what was expected, without considering the incalculable …consequences” … And a short time before this: “Perhaps, I should at least think about alternatives. And that was when my conviction grew: “Calm down, Mari! Schoenstatters – can’t you be calm? Your founder was almost always in crisis throughout his life, sovereignty was his element! Yes, I – like all of the allies and those who have something to do with his – yes, there is nothing else to do, but to go forward”.
So many heartshrines in one place
A few hours before the celebration -supercharged – I could not pass up my Homeshrine…I held the pink candle in the shape of the Shrine – the large poster in my bedroom, the one, which reminds me daily of great times, it especially reminds me of main value of the “HEARTSHRINE”. Doris has decorated it for me in red and pink, she told me in a recent email. Who knows, perhaps my heart will blend with the colors of the decorations of the buffet table.
Describing the celebration… all the gifts, the re-encounters, the celebration, the cocktails, the good time, the place, the hospitality, the banquet, the spontaneous guests, the surprises – I only say, friends and family, the atmosphere…yes, for this I would need three more articles. At a quiet moment, when I looked from the hall toward the terrace, when the profound atmosphere registered in me, when I enjoyed this moment – I thought: Mari, there are so many Heartshrines in one place, what more do you need! Surely, my gratitude will accompany me until the next celebration – without a shrine it will not happen.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio/Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
