ZIMBABWE, Marlene Peter. On Friday 20 January members of our Zimbabwe Schoenstatt Family, and friends, gathered in Sheila Coleman’s home where our Altar Shrine room is, for the celebration of a special mass during which the Happi family made their Covenant of Love Consecration as Co-operators in the Family League. Gilbert, Genevieve, their children, Gabriel, Naomi, Junior, Mary, and grandmother Suzanne and niece Vimie, had been preparing since last year for this occasion.
The family come from Cameroon and have lived in Zimbabwe for several years. Last year on 31 May they were invited to attend our annual crowning of Our Mother Thrice Admirable “Queen of Africa,” and have become a part of our Schoenstatt family ever since. Soon after, having attended covenant day celebrations, they expressed the desire to make the Covenant of Love with Our MTA. With the help of literature and some DVD s sent to us by Sister Jessica Swedzinski in Madison USA they made their preparations.
The 20 January 2012 was the date chosen because of its importance in Schoenstatt’s history. Gilbert asked parish priest Fr. Paul Edwards SJ to celebrate mass for us, and all was made ready. An altar was set up in the lounge and a specially framed picture of our MTA was hung on the wall. The family had prepared their individual prayers and Gilbert Happi had written one on behalf of all of them. Medals had been sent to us by Sister Marian and candles were beautifully decorated with little MTA pictures. Our “Queen and Mother of Zimbabwe” crowning candle was lit. The shrine was decked out with flowers and lit candles. The mass was due to begin at 6.30 pm, (which in Africa can be anytime about then). At 6 pm there was a power cut so candles had to be lit and the inverter was there to provide light from one lamp. While we waited for people to arrive we had some practice hymn singing. During this time too, the family went for confession in the shrine. Then we waited for some people who had lost their way.
Ave Maria… the same in all languages
Finally the mass began. It was the mass of The Visitation. Our entrance hymn was “Holy God we Praise Thy Name.” The readings, first, Gospel and responsorial psalm, were perfect for the occasion. After Father Edward’s homily the ceremony for the consecration began. Sister Marian had also sent us a booklet for this. It was such a moving time filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Kneeling, the family made their responses and after blessing the medals they were each handed them. By this time little Mary had fallen asleep. So mum accepted the medal on her behalf. Gilbert prayed his prayer, so heartfelt and placed it together with the others on the altar. Gilbert, in his prayer, reminded our Mother that when his mother died when he was nine years old, she had become his mother. I thought of Fr. Kentenich. During the Offertory we sang “Christ be Beside Me.” A deep sense of reverence filled the place as we received Jesus. The Cameroonians sang a hymn in French which had the same tune as “Holy Virgin by God’s Decree.” Maybe it was the French version. Anyway we sang along in English, especially Ave, ave, ave Maria…”(The same in all languages)
Maybe a Covenant Book is needed here
After the final blessing we sang, “We Crown You Maria Viva” while the family signed the covenant cards which Sheila and I will have entered in the covenant book in Bedfordview when we go in March, because we don’t have one here. Maybe we should look into getting one for our shrine. A number of consecrations have taken place here. After signing the family processed down the passage into the shrine singing “Enfold us in Thy Mantle,” with their lit candles and the cards and prayers were placed before the picture of Our Mother Thrice Admirable, NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, NOTHING WITHOUT US.
Gilbert reiterated our motto, “Through our ‘Yes,” may we become Living Shrines of Hope and Love”. A delicious joy-filled shared dinner followed. I forgot to mention that during the mass a heavy downpour of rain seemed a blessing for us as our rainy season has been very erratic with drought threatening. We went home that night filled with the knowledge that we had been part of a very special occasion, a Tabor-like experience.
