USA, Carlos Cantú. The Schoenstatt Movement in Texas celebrated its annual October Day on Sunday, October 28, 2012. The annual event took place at the Confidentia Shrine/Schoenstatt Center in Rockport/Lamar, Texas. Fr. Jesús Ferrás, Schoenstatt Father and Movement Director in Texas, presided at the Eucharistic Celebration. Schoenstatt Fathers Christian Christensen and Patricio Rodríguez were also in attendance and concelebrating at the Eucharistic Celebration.
With the annual Delegates’ Convention having taken place October 12th – 14th, the new Texas motto emerged from this gathering. The new motto in Texas is: IN THE COVENANT, ABLAZE FOR OUR MISSION! “IN THE COVENANT expresses our unity as the Schoenstatt Family of Texas and in our own Covenant of Love, the desire to build a Covenant Culture from living out the mission of May 31st – organic thinking, loving and living. ABLAZE FOR OUR MISSION expresses our desire to turn our devotion to the Blessed Mother into courageous acts of love for the Blessed Mother. In conjunction with the Year of Faith, being courageously ablaze for our mission, we want to transmit our Faith and Mission to bring renewal to the Church and world.” (An explanation of the motto by Fr. J. Ferrás)
Many reasons to celebrate
The journey to the great 2014 Jubilee is alive in them and inspires them to always give thanks for the great gift they have received in Schoenstatt. The Father Eye Symbol in the Confidentia Shrine is a gift from Father Kentenich, Father and Founder. Having a deep attachment to the Father and Founder, his fatherhood is a reality for them in thinking about the 2014 Jubilee as they remember the loving role of Father Kentenich and the foundation of the Movement.
There were many aspects to the celebration. Historic and grace-filled times stirred within their hearts as they recalled: the conclusion of the Year of the Shrine Current, the 25th anniversary of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign coming to Texas, the beginning of the Year of Faith, the Golden Anniversary of the Home Shrine Current, and the commencing of the Year of the Missionary Current.
Gathering at the Confidentia Shrine for a serenade to the Mother and Queen and an opening prayer is a custom and tradition for them at the Confidentia Shrine during important events. Next, they proceeded to the Training Center for a Eucharistic celebration. One of the Sisters had prepared seven beautiful candles representing each highlight of the celebration. The Unity Cross, as a symbol for the Year of the Missionary Current and also representing the future Shrine in Austin led the procession.
The seven candles represented the following: 1) the 2014 Jubilee Year, 2) the Golden Anniversary of the Home Shrine Current, 3) the 25th Anniversary of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign coming to Texas, 4) the closing of the Year of the Shrine Current, 5) the opening of the Year of the Missionary Current, 6) the 2012 – 2013 motto, and 7) the Year of Faith.
Coronation
After the homily in which Fr. Jesús Ferrás explained and expounded on the motto, they prepared for the solemn coronation of the Blessed Mother. There were several factors which contributed to the solemnity of the coronation: they were crowning Blessed Mother with the crown which adorns the first Auxiliary MTA Shrine in Texas and this crown would be placed anew on the first Auxiliary MTA Shrine, which belongs to the Diocese of Corpus Christi. This crown in particular had been on pilgrimage the preceding July with a group of Texas pilgrims. While in Switzerland, they offered the crown to Blessed Mother as Queen of the United States of America, and most significant was that in 1946, Father Kentenich himself –– had crowned the Blessed Mother as Queen of the World at the Weesen Wayside Shrine in Switzerland. These facts added to the solemnity of the crowning, which they formulated in the following prayer:
Dear Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt: Our journey toward the great Jubilee Year of 2014 is filled with much joy and a great spirit of thanksgiving. You have manifested yourself to us as our great CONFIDENTIA QUEEN. You have helped us grow in unlimited, childlike, victorious confidence. We are living in historic and grace-filled times: the conclusion of the Year of the Shrine – the 25th anniversary of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign coming to Texas – the beginning of the Year of Faith – and our commencing of the Year of the Missionary Current. We can only go into the future trusting in you and in our Covenant of Love. United with our Father and Founder, we acknowledge our bond with him, the inseparable ties, which developed when he sent us the gift of our Father Eye Symbol for our Confidentia Shrine. His spiritual presence has made his fatherhood a reality for us. As an expression of our thanksgiving and longing for the future, we crown you anew with the crown of our first Auxiliary Shrine in Texas. Ablaze for our mission, we go forth in this Year of the Mission proclaiming our Covenant of Love with our Mother Thrice Admirable in our Schoenstatt Shrine, proclaiming our Father and Founder and his mission for the Church, and we crown You Queen of Texas, Queen of the United States of America. AMEN.
Renewing the Covenant of Love
Following lunch, they gathered again in the Training Center for an audiovisual presentation on Home Shrines, after which they went in procession to the Confidentia Shrine. These items were carried in procession: the seven commemorative candles, the first Auxiliary MTA Shrine of Corpus Christi, and a slate from the roof of the Original Shrine. With everyone standing in front of the Shrine, the opening of the Year of the Mission Current in Texas took place. A slate from the Original Shrine was then handed over to the Diocese of Dallas/Fort Worth. Everyone formed a Loyalty Ring around the Shrine as they prayed the 2014 International Prayer. A ceremonial fire was then lit, and everyone renewed the Covenant of Love in song followed by singing of the new motto: IN THE COVENANT, ABLAZE FOR OUR MISSION! The benediction of the most Blessed Sacrament was next. The participants were then presented with the Home Shrine Novena booklet and delicious Shrine cookies. A beautiful picture was displayed which depicted Father Kentenich handing out Shrine cookies.
Everyone left with joyful hearts, grateful for the gift of the Covenant of Love and ablaze for their Schoenstatt Mission.
