ROME, Irmgard Classen. From the 26th to the 30th of June 2014 for the first time in Belmonte – Rome, a day of reflection of the General Presidium of the Schoenstatt Wok took place. The concern was to get to know the Shrine and its Center and exchange ideas on the mission, the tasks and the significance for the International Schoenstatt Family.
Presently at Belmonte, they are working intensely to finish the Retreat House. Everything must be completed in time for the October Jubilee. The Matri Ecclesiae Shrine and Center are situated on land already prepared in such a way that it welcomes one to rest, pray and meditate, and for meeting and sharing with others.
After a detailed tour through the place and a visit to the house – accompanied by Msgr. Peter Wolf and Father Egle – they were immersed into the history and mission of Belmonte.
I reflect on three important moments:
The promise made in 1965 by the General Presidium to Father Kentenich
On his 80th birthday, November 16, 1965, the then General Presidium promised Father Kentenich that they would build a Shrine and an international Center in that place. Likewise, the founder believed that the Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests should assume that responsibility. Nevertheless this immense objective could not be undertaken by itself alone, not only in regards to the financial responsibility but also in the personal and spiritual. According to Father Kentenich’s conviction, the Institute had to be supported in solidarity and co-responsibility by the International Schoenstatt Movement.
Only in unison is it possible to achieve this aim.
Belmonte’s Task and Mission
Belmonte should become the face of Schoenstatt in Rome, in the Heart of the Church
How to achieve it?
Father Kentenich wanted Schoenstatt to be present in Rome with its different members and communities, through some people or small groups, and thus early on, live concretely the mission of Schoenstatt. They should procure contact with those who lead the Church and with other Movements and Ecclesial Communities. Thus we will be able to reach Father Kentenich’s aim, the Universal Apostolic Confederation, even more effectively.
Belmonte wants to become a home for Schoenstatters who come on pilgrimage to Rome from all over the world.
Belmonte as a pulpit and forum for our Founder in Rome
In this place, one must reflect on the message of our founder and contribute to dialogue within the Church. For Father Kentenich, it was very important to maintain close unity with Rome, a city that he visited eight times as founder. This must be shown to the participants and in the topics from the different Days of Reflection or International Conferences.
Belmonte as point of encounter for the Italian Schoenstatt Family
During Belmonte’s period of construction, the Italian Schoenstatt Family has grown. Through them, the Roman Church becomes aware – more than before – of the presence of the Schoenstatt Movement. As the General Presidium, we are happy when they find their home in Belmonte.
Also, the difficult financial situation became evident. To complete the International Center, it is urgent and necessary to have many benefactors, and it must be supported by new charitable activities.
(Information on the new Webpage: www.offerta.roma-belmonte.info)
To give life to the new Center, people from the different communities and from different countries willing to work at the Center are necessary. It is necessary to develop oneself with pastoral concepts.
In such a situation, a heartfelt thanks to the Institute of Priests for their great and long presence in Belmonte without which we would not have the Center today and with it our concrete promise of 1965.
What do we as General Presidium want to do for Belmonte?
We take seriously the promise made in 1965.
As we look at the size of Belmonte’s challenges and as the General Presidium, we experience the destitution and the smallness. Trusting in the working of the Blessed Mother and the help of our Father and Founder, we would like to spread the word, so that the Belmonte Center can come to be known throughout the entire international Movement and in our communities.
We would like to invite all Schoenstatters to make Belmonte our common international project, to support the Institute of Priests in prayer, personally and economically.
To make present our co-responsibility as the General Presidium, we have decided to meet once a year in our Day of Reflection at Belmonte promote concrete ways of helping.
Giving of the Center
On Sunday, June 29, 2014, within the background of praying vespers and in a simple act of confidence in the Mother of God and in our father, we gave the Belmonte International Center as a gift.
“Let us build together with his Vision”
This motto of Belmonte should always and at each moment enkindle the International Schoenstatt Movement to take our co-responsibility seriously.
The author is the General Superior of the Institute of the Ladies of Schoenstatt
Editors`remark:
At the same time as the closed meeting of the General Presidium was taking place, the Communication Management of the International Schoenstatt Centre in Belmonte presented a series of new postcards chosen by test customers of the worldwide Movement. The answers provided not only determined the choice of the motifs and the design of the postcards, but also showed that Belmonte lives! It became “the shrine of all of us” at the dedication in 2004 … and it has remained “the shrine of all of us”.
An echo from Argentina:
“How lovely! These pictures take me back to the day of the dedication of the shrine!!! Think of all that has happened since then! Marvellous! It really makes my long for this most blessed day ten years ago. I still have the little jar we were given at that time in my home shrine. Thank you, a thousand thanks! When can I get the postcards? I want them all.”
Original Spanish: Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA
