CHILE, Cristina Quiroz de Tagle. On December 18th, the last covenant day of the year 2011, the Shrine of Bellavista had the honor of opening its doors to the entire world and the world had the privilege of receiving the greetings and covenant graces from this historic Shrine…
Covenant Day was celebrated with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. with the presence of three priests: Father José Manuel López, Father Francisco Pereira, and Father Andrés Larraín. The reason was that along with renewing the Covenant Father Hernán Alessandri, who departed to the house of the Father four years ago on December 18th, was remembered by all. In his homily, Father Andrés recalled the fruitfulness of Father Alessandri’s life in following God’s voice he founded a very fruitful work, Maria Ayuda (Mary Helps) that is presently in twelve cities giving unconditional love to many people.
Nothing is impossible for God
He asked everyone to remember the phrase from the Gospel: “Nothing is impossible with God.” He also asked those present to renew their confidence that this Christmas Jesus will be born in their hearts and he will give all his abundant peace, his joy, and his unconditional love.
United to the Original Shrine
Everyone went in procession to the Shrine where they renewed their Covenant of Love, united to the Original Shrine, to their nation’s twenty Shrines, and to all the world’s Shrines that were renewing their Covenant on this day. The “telescope” was installed that over the distance unites us to the Original Shrine. A crystal shrine was shown where “people will be filling the jars with their talents, their gratitude and giving of self, their repentance, and desires” that were symbolized on different cards that were inserted in a slot. The Pilgrim MTAs that come every month to be refilled with graces, were raised on high.
Future Shrines
At 8:00 p.m., the 18th was celebrated for the first time on the grounds where the new Shrine, “Mount Schoenstatt” will be built, in la Dehesa. Attendance was good. There are also desires for a Shrine in Colina, in Curicó, in Punta Arenas…
A new Shrine in the Ciudad de Quillota will be consecrated on March 25th; it is almost finished and the Family is preparing to attend the inauguration in mass.
People who leave their mark
On December 12th, Chilean Schoenstatters received the sad news that Hildegard Brand, a member of the Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, had departed to the house of the Father. She had a holy death, giving herself to God until the last moment for the Schoenstatt Work. It was the same date that here course sister, Astrid, died; she is the one who convinced her to come to Chile, and it was the same day that Father Kentenich gave the Unity Cross to their Institute in Stuttgart. She worked for several years at the Pontifical Seminary along with Father Benjamín Pereira, and then her work and dedication was key for the construction of the Shrine of Campanario that is celebrating its 20th Anniversary today, and for the construction of the Holy Trinity Church.
This December 12th, we also celebrated Father Carlos Cox’s 30th Anniversary of Priesthood; he is presently the Rector of the National Shrine of Maipú. During the beautiful Mass, which lasted an hour and a half, some of the most fruitful moments of his priesthood were recalled.
How life flourishes…
I just finished reading our Schoenstatt.org information bulletin very carefully, and I am in awe to see how life is flourishing in the different places. Father Antonio Cosp gave us an excellent report about Schoenstatt life in Paraguay and we are seeing the fruits of love for our Mother and Queen throughout the country. The different places that were mentioned were: Houston, Panama, Washington, Italy, Germany…it sets hearts on fire.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
