ENGLAND, Fr. David Musgrave. On 18th April 1968 the founder of the Schoenstatt Movement, Father Joseph Kentenich blessed a MTA picture in the shrine of House Regina, Schoenstatt, Germany. It was a black and white version in a simple frame. Holding the framed picture for the Founder to bless it was Mary Jordan. She was a member of the Secular Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt and the first from England. In many ways she stood as a representative of the Schoenstatt Movement that as such still had to be founded in the British Isles.
Jesus said: suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God (over one sinner who repents).’ Luke 15: 8-10
It is this year-date of 1968 that is to be seen today on the light frame of the MTA picture in the shrine at Kearsley, Bolton in England. A reminder of a hope, a dream and a reality for the future.
Go set the world afire
A photograph of this auspicious yet simple occasion is to be found on the reverse side of the black and white picture with a number of signatures including that of Mary Jordan and Maria Elisabeth Jungmann, another member of the Institute, who lived out her life here in England too.
In addition it bears a simple statement in Latin originally from St Ignatius of Loyola and hand-written by Father Kentenich: Ite incendite mundum (England). Non sine sanguine.Go set the world on fire (i.e. England) (but) Not without blood. Mphc JK
Eventually this picture together with Mary Jordan would come to England and serve as a marker for a seed to take root and grow. And it did!
The seed was sown
In the late nineteen sixties an “accidental pilgrimage” from Bolton of young people under the guidance of Father James Rawson took place. Accidental? Yes! in as far as the original trip of young tourists sight-seers in Germany ended up in Schönstatt in the town of Vallendar somewhat lost and endeavouring to find overnight accommodation.
The seed was sown, to be followed in 1972 by the first official pilgrimage of young families to Germany.
Eventually the picture found a home at England’s first dedicated house in Chamber Road, Oldham (part of Greater Manchester) and was much honoured on various and many occasions.
A coin of much value was lost and is now found
When the eventual move to the permanent Schoenstatt pastoral centre here in Kearsley took place this picture got lost. And so it remained until the week of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady 2012 when it was re-discovered among many other discarded frames and pictures in a back cupboard of the sacristy of the parish church. This now precious framed picture in the meanwhile bearing a crown is now suitably hung in a worthy manner and place for all to see and cherish once again.
A coin of much value was lost and is now found. Rejoice with us.
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| Aus 30. August 2012 |
Is Schoenstatt Oldham no longer a shrine? I recall visits there with my grandparents as young boy and later, the shrine at Kearsley. I never knew if we visited Kearsley simply because it was closer than Oldham, or if the Oldham shrine simply ceased to exist. Fr. Duncan and Fr. Pat Tansy were both very good to me as as a young boy. My grandparents also took me the Schoenstatt shrine near Glasgow and also to Germany. Fond memories.
This is truly a time to rejoice. This picture and inscription is very precious to the English Schoenstatt Family. However, there is still something missing. Fr. Kentenich wrote the same message in Mary Jordan’s copy of Heavenwards. We were given this after Mary died and it was always kept on the Shrine Altar at Schoenstatt House in Oldham.. It is a well worn, well used prayer book with Fathers handwriting on the last page. This also was lost during the move to our Schoenstatt Centre, please join in with us praying that this precious prayer book is found and returned to its place of honour on the altar.