BRAZIL, Marcos and Cassiane Weizenmann – World Youth Day (WYD) is starting. In Rio de Janeiro the pilgrims can already been seen on the streets wearing their national colours. A WYD atmosphere has taken over the city. Catholics are enthusiastic and animated as they work and pray. Non-Catholics have noticed that something is going on, asked what is happening and are getting in the mood.
The city’s landscape is changing: scaffolds have been put in place in Copacabana to receive the Pop, and numerous stages and stands in the city centre and the Quinta da Boa Vista have been erected. WYD information centres have been set up in all of the tourist hubs and shopping malls. Parishes display banners and information about WYD activities. The Cathedral is a meeting point for many of the groups arriving in Rio.
Setting up the “Pilgrim Shrine”
A huge WYD banner is displayed in the tunnel that connects Botafogo to Copacabana. Schoenstatt has also changed the “carioca” [popular name for the people of Rio] landscape: The “Pilgrim Shrine,” a life-size wooden replica of the Schoenstatt Shrine is being built next to the tunnel, alongside the entrance to St. Teresa of the Child Jesus parish and next to the Rio Sul Shopping Mall. In other words, during WYD, Rio de Janeiro will have two Schoenstatt Shrines: The Redemption of the Family Tabor Shrine and the “Pilgrim Shrine” in the heart of the city and the WYD.
This idea emerged more than a year ago during a preparatory WYD meeting of the Brazilian Boys’ Youth (JUMAS): Why not take the Shrine into the heart of the “madness?” Some time later, special help came from one of the Family’s benefactors in São Paulo and the efforts of the Schoenstatt Family in Rio de Janeiro and Niterói to make this idea a reality.
Now the “Pilgrim Shrine” is being born, altering the landscape of the Marvellous City.
The Niterói Family League will be responsible for this project between 19-27 July, open from 09h00-20h00, offering pilgrims a Schoenstatt Shrine in the heart of the WYD, where they can find the Blessed Mother and the Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament in a Tabor environment, and find out more about Schoenstatt.
The inaugural Mass at the “Pilgrim Shrine” will be on 18 July, at 18h00, celebrated by the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Orani João Tempesta.
Contributions to the Capital of Grace are needed so that that this can truly become a Schoenstatt Shrine. Join us by offering us your contributions to the Capital of Grace so that the Blessed Mother may also set up her throne during the WYD.
Schoenstatt is part of the Rio landscape, so that the Blessed Mother can make herself present during WYD and “draw many youthful hearts.”
Come and visit: It is next to the St Teresa of the Child Jesus Parish – Av. Lauro Sodré, 83 – Botafogo. Telephone: (21) 2295-5197 | (21) 2543-1770 (near Copacabana)
Fantastic! thank you so much for all your efforts for our MTA!