ROME, mda. “Christ does not blot out cultures”, Pope Francis stated during the first audience after his visit to Korea, his first to Asia. The obvious joy he found in the completely different culture of Korea, and his ability to communicate with the people of this and every culture despite not speaking their language, resonated in his words. Christ does not blot out cultures; he does not dissolve the differences and the typical characteristics of peoples and nations. “We can learn from one another, we can enrich one another”, Pope Francis added. His vision of a universal Church united not in the lowest common denominator, but in rejoicing in our own characters while marvelling at what is different. This is the vision of the covenant of love. A covenant between peoples, between cultures, between mentalities. A culture of entering into covenants, where it is unnecessary to highlight individual characteristics, and where others are not seen as a threat, but as an enrichment. That is how Fr Kentenich understood internationality. A house in which this can be experienced symbolically behind each door is just reaching completion – the international Schoenstatt Centre in Rome, in Belmonte.
Just as at the dedication of “the shrine of all of us” on 8 September 2004 the riches of the peoples were carried to the shrine in many, original jars, so now, ten years later, countries are invited to leave a visible sign of their riches in “their” room in the Father’s House. “Do those responsible know about it already? There is nothing like it anywhere else!” remarked Fr Denis Foley, an Australian, and sent an email with photos of some kangaroos in front of the shrine. You won’t find this anywhere else in Schoenstatt, only in Australia. He’s right!
But he wasn’t thinking of the kangaroos, but of the possibility for each country to decorate one of the guest rooms in the Centre at Belmonte – and that the 31 guest rooms have been named after those countries that have a shrine in this Jubilee Year. Or almost. Costa Rica is the 31st country … Ten years ago at the dedication Costa Rica in Central America expressed its desire for its own shrine on its simple jar … and is now just about to start building one.
The Domus Father Kentenich – the riches of the people stream towards it
Each country is invited to be present in its room: with a picture of the MTA, a crucifix and another sign of a typical treasure of that country.
Each country is free to design its own MTA picture, cross and characteristic picture.
It’s getting exciting:
How will the frame for the MTA picture be designed? Which cross is typical of that country? Which picture speaks of that country and people?
A photo of the national shrine? A picture of the country’s patron saint? A picture of an architecturally important building, a national monument, or a natural wonder?
“I’ve got it. Argentina will bring a picture of Pope Francis; it’s the best we can give to the world”, a colleague of schoenstatt.org who had done the translation declared. We will see if she can win over the rest of the Schoenstatt Movement for that idea.
Either at the Jubilee in October (or during a later visit) the representatives of the countries can bring their gifts. Whoever stays in that room afterwards will also “live” in the heart and the life of a country with its own very original mission and culture.
You can also help to complete the rest of the rooms
Some countries are financing their room (from 40.000€ single room/50.000€ double room) in order to be even more part of Belmonte. Some countries have already financed their room completely – Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic. They only need to think about how they will design their MTA picture, cross and “third picture”. The room for the Philippines is almost completely financed – thanks to a donation from someone who loves that country deeply. It is possible that the little Jubilee group of pilgrims from the Philippines will be the first to bring their MTA picture, cross and third picture with them. Some contributions for countries like Nigeria or Burundi will surely come from someone with a deep personal connection to their land and culture. It is an expression of the wish to help build this house together as a worldwide Schoenstatt Family.
This international Centre in the heart of the Church is a gift of the worldwide Schoenstatt Movement to its founder and the Church. It is the gift of every country. It is a house for all peoples and cultures in the covenant of love. Where everyone can be themselves, and all live under the one roof at home with one another, next to one another and in one another.
Because Christ does not blot out cultures – nor does the covenant of love.
More information (and secure donation possibilities online) at www.offerta.roma-belmonte.org
