ROME/BRAZIL, Sr. M. Nilza. The journey to the great celebration of 100 years of the Covenant of Love is gaining momentum within the Schoenstatt Family all over the world. The Schoenstatt centre in Rome where Schoenstatt members from all over the world will meet, is without doubt, one of the busiest places. We are happy to have been able to collaborate with this international centre by sending three Brazilian Schoenstatt Sisters who will be working with the branches throughout Italy. In addition to this, another Brazilian woman — a family mother — was invited to join the design team.
Maria Aparecida Lopes Silva (Cida) from Mairiporã/São Paulo lived in Rome from 16 November 2013 to 12 January 2014. She explains how this happened: “I was asked, as a designer, to work with a team of volunteers and the Movement leaders in Belmonte — Sr. Vera Lúcia S. Mangas and Fr. Stefano Muller — on a project to create a display of the 100 years of Schoenstatt and the history of Schoenstatt in Rome, particularly the Matri Ecclesiae shrine in Belmonte. Sr. Vera Lúcia invited me because she needed someone who understood projects, culture and Schoenstatt experiences and was available to live in Rome for two months.”
The Brazilian Contribution
Cida’s contribution was to create a display: five tents where the pilgrims who arrive at the shrine will be able to learn about the history of Schoenstatt (100 years) and the history of Schoenstatt in Rome-Belmonte. “I created the display, the concept, the pieces, the project. The display is more than just an exhibition. It is a display where pilgrims will be able interact with the various elements in it: an interactive display with sound, lighting and artistic pieces that recount Schoenstatt’s history and explain how Schoenstatt is an answer for the Church on the new shore. Our project is progressing nicely. If all goes well, we will have a beautiful display in October. I am certain that whoever visits Belmonte, will like what they will see and feel there.”
Encounters with Pope Francis
During those 60 days, the Brazilian designer also had unforgettable experiences at the heart of the Catholic Church. In addition to living right next to the shrine, from which she could attend daily mass and accompany the life of Schoenstatt in Rome, she was also able to attend several celebrations with Pope Francis. She relates: “What touched me the most was Pope Francis’s serenity. He is serene, he is calm and peaceful. It is like the peace one feels in Assisi at St. Francis’ tomb. It is incredible! When he speaks, he speaks softly and people believe in what he says, there is no doubt. His words sound like truths that cannot be questioned. Also, his simplicity…”
What I Bring to Brazil
Back in Brazil, Cida is still finishing up bits and pieces of her volunteer work. But she is starting again with all of the blessings and experiences she had. She explains what she brings back to Brazil from all of these experiences: “Lots of lessons! Rome is a beautiful and cultural city, the people there have so much architectural expertise and solutions for everything. I bring back an understanding of the traditions and customs of the nativity scene. They build nativity sets everywhere. The language is very beautiful to listen to and perhaps that is why the music is so lovely and pleasing to the ear. I learnt beautiful songs. I had the privilege of hearing Gregorian Chant live in St. Peter’s Basilica during Mass on Christmas Day and again on New Year’s Eve, which was an unforgettable experience. I was able to be so close to the Holy Father during the celebrations at St. Peter’s Basilica.
I’ve come back with thousands of photos of all the places I visited, but more important are the emotions that these pictures will remind me of. I also bring my respect for those people, who like the Brazilians, are very welcoming. I bring the joy of having lived in the shadow of the Belmonte shrine, of having participated in the Christmas celebrations with the people there. I bring my longing, because it was such a wonderful time! I also bring the experience of seeing and living in a shrine where people come together: the Fathers, the Sisters of Mary and the Schoenstatt Family…what great diversity! Imagine the difficulties! But, also imagine the wealth!
Our Christmas experiences were so beautiful! The children, even though turn things upside down, bring new life and joy to everything! Christmas was a very beautiful experience. People from the groups in the community brought a little star which they placed before the Nativity to warm Baby Jesus’ manger, then they took the stars back, carrying the Light of Christ, which accompanied them to their homes, their workplaces, their schools. This light, despite the smallness of the contribution, will help to build the Jubilee year in 2014! Like the uncountable yellow lights of Rome, I also bring with me a little star to help me carry that light.
These differences give rise to new reasons each day to work on my self-education and to offer my small sacrifices to the Capital of Grace: Collaborations with the creative and multiple solutions to everyday problems…things like arranging the flowers and the nativity scene in the shrine take on a very particular and rich significance when the children, in particular, are involved. The presence of a priest for daily Mass, what a treasure!
The Sisters with their apostolic duties, their presence which is always peaceful and determined! I bring back the certainty that life will be more joyful when it is lived in community! And that although differences come with their own set of difficulties, they also bring a richness! One needs courage and lots of determination and patience…but the fruits are always good surprises!”
An Italian-Brazilian Schoenstatt heart
And finally, it seems that the Brazilian heart became even more Roman, because the volunteer finishes with a petition: “I ask everyone in Brazil to pray for the intention of the Belmonte Mission! Our father and founder, Fr. Kentenich, asked for an international shrine to be built there. And from what I saw, the first steps are already being taken. But the blood of many heroes is still required for the construction! Blood that is spilled will certainly fertilize the life of the Schoenstatt terrain! I also want to congratulate all those who are already working for Belmonte! In addition to this, one can already see the fruits of the pioneering work being done among the families, within the Pilgrim Mother Campaign. Congratulations! The Blessed Mother goes out with great joy from the shrine to conquer Roman hearts…
Thank you for the opportunity to speak about my time in Belmonte-Rome, at the international Schoenstatt shrine. And thank you also to Sr. M. Vera Lúcia who believed in my work and invited me to experience this very rich and important time in my life: Mille Grazie!“
Translated from the Portuguese by Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa
