BELGIUM, Sylvie Jacquemin. Our beautiful chapel in Gentinnes was packed on Sunday 20 October to celebrate the founding of the Schoenstatt Movement in Belgium and to consecrate the chapel as a future daughter shrine.
The joy was tangible! It was a deep seated joy, like that experienced by Fr. Kentenich and his seminarians in 1914, when they took possession of the small chapel in a corner of the garden at the seminary belonging to the Pallottine Fathers in Schoenstatt. They invited Mary to set up her home in the shrine and from there to pour out her graces. In return, they offered themselves to her without reserve. With the same heartfelt love, we also made this invitation our own.
Prophets ot the Covenant
The main celebrant was Bishop Hudsyn, who was accompanied by the Movement Fathers, Fr. Pierre-Laurent Bagneres and Fr. Sébastian Kaneza and seminarian Bruno Jacobs who regularly joins us.
In his homily, Bishop Hudsyn said: “It makes me happy that the Schoenstatt Movement, just a year ahead of its centenary, has made a home here in Brabant Wallon, where you will be able to meet, support one another in the faith of your charism…sustained by your presence and meetings, families, youths and all who are searching for a life in covenant with God.” He concluded with these very beautiful words: “I join you in praying to the Father for his Holy Spirit. May he send his Spirit to you in abundance as he did to the disciples gathered around Mary. In this place may God and his Spirit transform you into people of prayer, listeners of God’s Word, prophets of the Covenant, because at the center of your lives, you are united and each one of you is a bridge between this world and God.”
Blessing of the chapel as a future Schoenstatt shrine in Belgium
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, while the children brought up roses in a procession and placed them at Our Lady’s feet, Frs. Pierre-Laurent and Sébastian blessed the chapel as a future Schoenstatt shrine.
After Mass, there were snacks for everyone, followed by a wonderful buffet, allowing everyone to socialise in joy and simplicity. The celebration continued into the afternoon.
Original: French. Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Cape Town, South Africa
