PERU, Consuelo Falcón de Pereda. This year on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the presence of the Carmelite Fathers in Peru, the Urn with the relics of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus arrived in Peru on August 30th, the Feast of Saint Rose of Lima. Since then the relics have traveled throughout the country on a mission of evangelization, mainly in the places where the Carmelite Fathers have houses and/or parishes. The city of Trujuillo was the first city where they were established in 1911; the relics arrived there on November 16th.
Our hearts were filled with profound joy, the same joy that the Schoenstatt Family from Trujillo wants to share with the International Family, since Saint Theresa, whom the beloved Founding Father called the “the first Schoenstatter” visited the Daughter Shrine on Friday, November 18th, the date when all relive their Covenant of Love. The relics arrived at noon, and the Holy Eucharist was celebrated at 4:00 p.m. presided by Father Oscar Murillo, our Diocesan Coordinator and con-celebrated by Father Esteban Llona, O.C.D. P., Juan Luis Novao, S.J.; Father Charles, S.J.; Father Elias (Diocesan Priest) andFather Reinhold Nann, Schoenstatt Diocesan Priest.
In the Heart of the Church
Those present felt that this was a very special blessing, that gave them strength to renew their fraternity and commitment to work and to communicate Schoenstatt’s mystery to many; transforming themselves and becoming like this “Little Flower of Jesus”, who became a saint by discovering her vocation of love in the Heart of the Church. With simplicity and childlikeness, they want to learn the road of spiritual infancy from her, which is the opposite of the values that are proclaimed in the modern world; but that is so attuned to the spirit of the beloved Founding Father.
They prayed to him, who all are sure works very closely with her in heaven, for his intercession before the Lord, and our beloved Mother Thrice Admirable Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt, that their hearts may be open to this very special grace and that they have the prudence of “gathering petals of roses” from her passing through their lives will bring as great blessings. They ask the entire Family for their prayers that they may be attentive to receive such a great blessing and to respond to it with generous hearts. They pray that the entire Schoenstatt Family will unite to pray for the fruits of evangelization from the visit Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus’ relics to Peru.
They hope to heartily understand the responsibility and also the commitment that they have to respond to this sign of God and our Most Holy Mother’s love for each one of them, their families, community, and country; that they may be instruments of communication, so these graces can be multiplied to many of their brothers and sisters. In addition they hope that God will be present in other’s lives just as He is present in theirs through grace.
Covenants of Love in Trujillo
They also want to share the joy of being witnesses of the Covenants of Love sealed with their beloved Blessed Mother by four ladies of the Ladies’ Branch at the end of the Mass with you, and that night by five girls from the Girl’s Youth: María Luz, Chintya, Carlita, and Diana… Nine Covenants of Love were offered to the Mother and Queen in 2011 that are added to that of Sarita, of the Girls’ Youth, who sealed hers during Sister Petra’s visit last September. They thank the Lord and the Blessed Mother for these signs of hope and of renewed vitality for their local family.
They hope that this news will be published on the website of the International Schoenstatt Family so that they can unite in giving thanks for the many blessings they have received.
Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English translation – Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit
