ROME, mda. Many will come registered, others simply will come and everyone is welcome! The “shrine of all of us” in Rome, waits for Jubilee pilgrims coming either from Schoenstatt or from Rome to meet with Pope Francis on the morning of October 25th. These pilgrims will be sent forth by him to the world’s streets as missionaries of a renewed Schoenstatt in the strength of a Covenant of Love, which is capable of creating a culture – a Covenant Culture.
The diocesan priests, the Sisters of Mary who live and work in Belmonte, members of the Schoenstatt Movement from Italy and collaborators of the shrine from the nearby parishes, as well as many volunteers who will help beginning October20th, and others are preparing everything so that pilgrims will find open hearts and doors at all times– except during the audience and the Mass of sending forth on Sunday morning.
The broad and green grounds around the shrine invite one to breathe; there is even a children’s park. Almost nothing here reminds one of the jungle that Belmonte was literally for years. But there is much that reminds us that Father Kentenich was here, on the grounds. Father’s land, upon which his vision of a new Church is transformed into a concrete gift and task in the dimension of time and space; at the same time, it is a promise and a challenge, for his Schoenstatt Movement, which ventures to step into a new century.
At the center the shrine
On the road toward the shrine, pilgrims who enter individually or as a group will be able to travel the stations on the left side of the grounds, which are marked with silhouettes of the shrine that explain the Schoenstatt history and mission in Rome and in the heart of the Church. Everyone is given a brochure in five languages with a brief, main message of Belmonte. “There will be much motivation and information about Belmonte in a short space,” Dr. Peter Wolf, Rector of the Schoenstatt Diocesan Institute of Schoenstatt Priests, said.
A “Mostra”, an exhibition conceived and configured during these days about a Brazilian architect’s idea, and an Argentinean art student will collaborate with this exhibit.
Every group will have time in the shrine – for a limited time on the two days of October 23rd–24th, when more pilgrims are expected; more time will be available on the other days.
On the other side of the grounds, in an atmosphere of silence, every group will have the opportunity to pray or simply be together…
Encounter and more
On the lower part of the grounds, there is space for socializing and for everything that goes along with a pilgrimage: refreshments, coffee, shopping (for the loved ones at home or for whomever), meeting together and with others…one can visit the new retreat house, that is almost finished – and if a country acts quickly, they can already place their typical cross, a MTA picture or another symbol in their room.
The latest books that appeared for the Jubilee can be obtained at the Editorial Paris Chile stand: “In the footsteps of Father Kentenich in Rome” (Dr. Peter Wolf) and the new edition of Father Kentenich’s around about the symbolic placing of the cornerstone of the shrine of all of us in Rome (in Spanish, Portuguese, English and Italian – already now available at www.patris.cl). Also “The 100 Years of Schoenstatt” (in five languages) by Father Carlos Padilla, from Spain and – only in Spanish – the in-house production of “Jubilee packets,” of Schoenstatt pedagogy, spirituality and history.
Fans, socks and more things
There are fans with the Belmonte logo for the heat and socks in case it is unexpectedly cold, as well as noodles in the shape of Saint Peter’s Cathedral, a brand new collection of postcards, a Belmonte calendar, and mugs with the Belmonte logo, so a little of the Roman feeling can be taken home.
In reality it is not about a visit
It is truly a pilgrimage to the shrine of all of us, but in reality it is not about a visit. And there are no hosts, because the shrine and the center do not belong to any one person. It belongs “to all of us”. It is our shrine, and the Schoenstatt Center of all of us. The Schoenstatt International Center of Belmonte, Rome is the worldwide Schoenstatt Movement’s gift to its founder. It is the local realization of its love for the Church that was so important to Father Kentenich, who asked that: Dilexit Ecclesiam (He loved the Church) be written on his tomb.
Belmonte is available for the dynamic of building its vision together. It is an offer of the Kentenich charism in Francis’ era. It is a place of grace for him and the Church that experiences a new Pentecost–that Pentecost to which Vatican II opened the doors and windows.
The offer of the Schoenstatt generation, which is beginning the second century of its history, is to build this vision together.
It is now.
Soon there will be more at the new webpage: www.roma-belmonte.info. Opportunity to collaborate already not at: www.offerta.roma-belmonte.info
Sign up for the visit or to ask about the organization at Matías Cerviño – schoenstatt.roma@gmail.com
Original German: Translation Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
