ROME, mda. What do Fritz Esser, the Schoenstatt Centre in Memholz, Bishop Heinrich Tenhumberg, the International Kentenich Academy for Leaders (IKAF), Vincent Pallotti and the Czech Schoenstatt Mothers have in common? A pillar in the Father’s House, the Domus Padre Kentenich, in the international Schoenstatt Centre in Rome, in the shadow of “the shrine of all of us” of love for the Church A house built on solid pillars – static because of the requirements for earthquake security, figuratively speaking – because the life in this house has to be borne by solid pillars. And so a spiritual current started … At first individuals placed themselves at the disposal of the builders as “pillars”, and then someone started to dedicate a pillar to a person … or whole communities, Schoenstatt Centres, projects …
284 pillars surround St Peter’s Square. They are connected with the statues of the saints above them and remind us that the Church at all times has been borne by living witnesses. 284 pillars also bear the shell construction of the almost completed conference centre Domus Pater Kentenich in Belmonte, Rome. It is a construction that became necessary because of the earthquake static.
It is an eloquent symbol: The Father’s House in Rome needs many strong pillars. Fr Kentenich is looking for many “pillars” who will help to carry his mission – each in his or her own place. Many pillars are dedicated to people who have lived and carried out their part of Schoenstatt’s history: Msgr Wissing, Bishop Ignazy Jez, Maria Laufenberg, Josef Engling, Fr Franz Reinisch. However, the names of many other people can also be found on the pillars, although what they have done is almost unknown. These are people who have helped to write God’s history through “faithfulness in little things” and a hidden apostolate. Many donors have used the opportunity to pay tribute to people they know. Each pillar has a unique number, eg A25. The names of the donor and the person to whom they have dedicated the pillar are registered and will later appear in the entrance to the house. A pillar costs 1000 Euros or 1000 Dollars towards the building of the Domus Padre Kentenich.
The way of life …
Since all this is not the result of an official initiative, it is the way of life … Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Dominican Republic, Germany, Burundi, Poland, Portugal, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain and Switzerland are all there.
The Schoenstatt Centre in Memholz and the IKAF have given themselves a pillar, the dreamteam collaborators of schoenstatt.org gave “their” Fr Jose Maria Garcia one on his 60th birthday last year, and schoenstatt.org itself has one donated by no other than the future Auxiliary Bishop Dr Michael Gerber.
The names tell of the great moments in Schoenstatt’s history, but also and above all that the covenant of love only becomes real and authentic when it has taken shape and form in living human beings, people such as Franz Reinisch, Maria Laufenberg, Lotte Holubars, Josef Engling, Heinrich Tenhumberg, Ignaz Jez …
Only thirty pillars are left
What about those who have also written Schoenstatt’s history? Fr Menningen does not have a pillar. Joao Pozzobon also not. Nor have Isabel Mugica and the Madrugadores. And where exactly is our Schoenstatt Centre, and doesn’t the Original Shrine deserve a pillar?
Exactly thirty pillars are left. As it is so charmingly expressed: Applications will be dealt with in the order received.
And: Every Friday the Rosary is said in the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine for the intentions of all donors.
To be really practical:
With the heading “Pillar” it is possible to transfer 1000 Euros (or a down payment) to one of the following accounts, or directly to Martin Emgemartin.emge@erzbistum-bamberg.de
Matri Ecclesiae e.V., Simmern / WW
Sparkasse Koblenz
BLZ 570 501 20
Konto 4005872
BIC: MALADE51KOB
IBAN: DE 66 5705 0120 0004 0058 72
Information about other payment methods can be obtained from martin.emge@erzbistum-bamberg.de
Translation: Mary Cole, Manchester, England
