BRAZIL, Sister M. Nilza. “If God is Brazilian, the Pope is Carioca!” When the Pope John Paul II made this statement in 1997, in Rio de Janeiro/RJ, the public was elated. From November 16th to the 24th, the Cariocas are celebrating again: this week the Father Symbol, destined for the Original Shrine, is Carioca! He is present in this wonderful city.
Welcomed with the blessing of rain
Father arrived from Belo Horizonte/MG to the Tabor Redemption of the Family Shrine, on the 16th, at 8:00 p.m. He was welcomed with a birthday celebration, on the 126th year since his birth. Approximately 50 Branch representatives of the Schoenstatt Work waited for him with songs, prayers, flowers, and the Father Symbol was also welcomed with the blessing of rain.
Today, we say our yes
After a brief welcome, blessed with water from heaven, close to the Father statue, the Symbol of God the Father was taken over a red carpet, surrounded by flowers and lights, to the Shrine. The depth of the prayer of welcome expressed the love and commitment for the mission of the Carioca Schoenstatt Family: “Welcome, Father! Rio de Janeiro welcomes you with open arms. It is the transparency through which the Eye of God the Father contemplates us with love…Make us participants of your charisma…Tonight, we want to give our yes to your invitation: as the Schoenstatt generation of this time, we are ready to be followers of your covenant…”
Father celebrated his birthday
Even the rain “paused to pray”, then the family returned to the Father statue, for the birthday celebration, with a cake in the shape of the Father Symbol, which was made by the workers of Marta Gloria Smith’s confectionery. Each child enjoyed the celebration and greeted Father with the birthday cake. It is difficult to describe the atmosphere: the joy, the acceptance, the love: “For me, it is not only the Symbol that arrives: I felt that I saw Father in person, through this Symbol: María José Santana said.
The Father Symbol arrived to Rio!
Just as in 1947, Father is with us! Now it is our time, our week of Thanksgiving: Father is in Rio de Janeiro and he is in the midst of his family in Rio de Janeiro.
Source: www.maeperegrina.com.br
Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English translation – Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit
