Jubilee of 100 years: pilgrimage and sending forth

PARAGUAY, Fr. Oscar Saldivar. We probably still have everything experienced on this of October 18^th, 2014, in our minds and in our hearts, 100 years of the Covenant of Love! 100 years of Mary’s proposal and of Joseph Kentenich and the sodalist’s yes!

So many have gone on pilgrimage to the Original Shrine and the daughter shrines of Paraguay, Tupãrenda, Asunción and Ciudad del Este!

Undoubtedly it is too soon to examine everything that was experienced – we still have to go to Rome for Schoenstatt’s encounter with Pope Francis! But it would be good to be aware of what this jubilee has not only been as a celebration; but rather, with the renewal of the event of faith on the 18^th of October, and for this, a sign of sending forth that places us on the road going onward.

The MTA picture of grace returned the Asunción Youth Shrine to be enthroned as a part of the renewal of the Covenant of Love with Mary. Mary returned to take possession of her Shrine, Mary listened to our plea and Father Joseph Kentenich’s plea: “Establish your throne here in a special way, dispense your treasure and work miracles of grace.” [1] Yes, Mary has once more said yes. She is generous and loyal.

What does this mean for us as a Schoenstatt Family, and for each one as an ally of the Blessed Mother?

Personally I feel small before such a great gift. Christ has truly entrusted his Mother to us (cf. Jn. 19: 25-27). What a great gift! Who are we that we are entrusted with the Mother of the Lord and his mission? (cf. Luke 1, 43). Before such a gift, it is impossible not to fall on our knees in an attitude of humility and gratitude.

Just as Mary has renewed her yes with us, this event of the Jubilee calls us to renew our yes with Her. The words that the Father and Founder placed on her lips on that 18^th of October 1914, apply to us especially at this time: “Do not worry about the fulfillment of your desire. Ego diligentes me diligo. I love those who love me. Prove to me first that you really love, that you take your resolution seriously.”[2]

Yes Mary has returned to live in her Shrine, and she has placed it in our hands as a gift to share. For this reason, we should not forget that the Shrine is kept alive and fruitful in the measure in which our Covenant of Love is kept alive and fruitful.

Living and missionary Shrine

The dynamic of the capital of grace is so timely! Covenant is the constant giving of our lives, of our joys and concerns, of our accomplishments and limitations, of the persons that we love, and above all of our heart to Mary.

And that attitude of giving of self is made constant and concrete in the offerings to the capital of grace. And the first capital of grace that we offer her is that of our self-education, that is, our collaboration so that she can transform our homes and hearts in her shrine.

Yes, the Jubilee is a pilgrimage of gratitude and committed sending forth so that Mary can continue to live in our midst by our loyalty to the Covenant of Love. Mother make each one of us a living and missionary shrine!