USA, mev. After four days of deep joys and reflections, the Home Shrine Congress came to an end with a closing ceremony at the Exile Shrine. All the participants were sent out from this place of grace – so filled by the presence of Fr. Kentenich – to bring into daily life what they received during these days.
Saturday and Sunday where filled with spiritual nourishment and abundant material for meditation. Testimonies taken from daily life from families that live out of the reality of their Home Shrines captured the attention of everyone. These families were so generous as to share very personal experience with more than 500 people.
Open hearts
“These testimonies are so enriching!” these words could be heard throughout the day, they came from the many who were moved by what they heard and where followed by the longing: “Will I be able to accomplish something like that from my Home Shrine?” Their eyes expressed the openness of their hearts and the longing to experience in their own lives the reality of the Home Shrine in depth.
After all the impulses received, the afternoon was set for group discussions. The groups shared about their experiences in their Home Shrines, talked about what impressed them the most from what they had heard during the Congress and came up with a few concrete points about how to present the gift of the Home Shrine to the Church.
“Our mission for the world”
On Sunday, Sister Marie Day gave a talk in which she invited everyone to become real apostles – ambassadors – of the Home Shrine: The Home Shrine “the answer to change the pious metaphor of the domestic church into a literal reality” as she summoned all not to be afraid to announce the Home Shrine to the 1.8 billion Catholics in the world.
After lunch, the pilgrims headed towards the Exile Shrine. The sending out ceremony took place there. The Father Symbol for the Original Shrine was also present in the celebration and it was given to representatives of the Dominican Republic.
Many echoes were heard throughout the Congress and many stated the decision to renew the life of their Home Shrines to be open to the graces flowing from them and to share these graces with all those who visit their homes.
Photos
 |
| Home Shrine Congress |
Documents
Thank you Donnellys and Hublys for all the wonderful updates and pictures from the Home Shrine Congress. For those of us who could not attend, we felt like we were there. Our Home Shrine is the center of our home in Florida.
what a wonderful Home Shrine Congress and incredible testimonies all what we have been to he congress heard. Home Living Shrines the answer to the crisis the world lives today! what a moment of grace we all received during this 4 days . Thank you Mater for educated all your Schoenstatt children.
United in our Covenant…we remain…
Wonderful coverage of the Congress and excellent pictures. It was truly four days of blessing from heaven. Now we look forward to our mission for 2014! What a wonderful father we have. Note: I can not open the documents at the bottom of this page. – Cor unum in Patre – Joe
Was a wonderful event from which we received so much peace and spiritual joy.
Those 4 days was the must greatest days of my life.
Nos cun prole pia.
Benedicat Virgen Maria.