ROME, mda. “The shrine of all of us”, the MATRI ECCLESIAE shrine at the International Schoenstatt Centre in Belmonte, is the only shrine in the world that was given jars by many countries and shrines as an expression of their contributions to the capital of grace. This happened on the day of its dedication on 8 September 2004. The jars in the Belmonte shrine are repeatedly exchanged in order to be more closely united with the country or shrine that gave them. Shortly after the election of Pope Francis there was a jar “from the other side of the world” in the shrine, a most beautiful jar with the symbol of grapes and wheat and the inscription “Rosario”. It is the jar given by the Schoenstatt Family in Rosario, Argentina, to the Belmonte shrine. On 2 February, in the year when the promise to build an International Schoenstatt Centre turns 50, this jar has to stand in the shrine again. This is because Rosario, and the whole of Argentina, is giving the shrine of all of us not just a jar, but also a new Rector. On 2 February Fr Daniel Lozano will be inaugurated as the new Rector.
Daniel Lozano brings many and varied abilities to the great task of Rector of Belmonte. He speaks Italian, has Italian roots, and is an Italian citizen.
After his ordination to the priesthood and various tasks in parishes and the minor seminary, he took up his studies in Rome. He gained a Licentiate in spirituality at the Papal Faculty for Theology, the Theresianum. After that he worked as professor and student chaplain at various universities in his home diocese. For a long time he has been the Rector of the Argentinian group in the Schoenstatt Institute of Diocesan Priests. For many years he has served as educator in his community, and is at present a member of its General Council.
He played a leading role in the building of the Schoenstatt shrine at Rosario and the growth of the Schoenstatt Family there.
We have now been given a Rector “from the other side of the world” for our shrine, a Rector from the country in which the name “the shrine of all of us” was born, and which gave the Church a Pope who now creates a Church that helps people to discover the joy of the Gospel in a new way. This is a Church that is a mother, shepherd and home. It is a Church that goes out to the people at the peripheries of society. It is a Church marked by mercy and the widely welcoming arms of a mother. It is a Church that is Mary. It is a Church such as Fr Kentenich described and longed for. And this shrine and Centre at Belmonte exists so that Schoenstatt can be what it is meant to be – a living model of such a Church, in this Church and at her service.
The first gift of the new Rector to the worldwide Schoenstatt Family
A few days before his inauguration, Fr Daniel wrote a letter to the many who visited Belmonte in the Jubilee days around the audience with Pope Francis. It is a letter that touched hearts.
“Having turned 66 I thought of taking a Sabbatical year, but God had other plans with me. So Mgr. Peter Wolf, the Rector General, will appoint me Rector of Belmonte on 2 February … Belmonte belongs to us all, and to all to whom Fr Kentenich wanted to give this place he longed for. ‘Schoenstatt present in the heart of the Church, in Rome.’ So I ask you to accompany me with your prayers in a special way on this day, and ask God to form my eyes, my mouth, my heart and my entire self in such a way that I can complete the work I have begun within myself. In this way you are also there.
On this day I will place the names of all of you who have visited this beautiful place on the altar of the Belmonte shrine. I promise to keep you informed with news of the work we want to complete this year, 2015.
May our Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt protect you all.”
Maria Paz Leiva wrote from Madrid, “We answered him immediately”. Together with her husband she worked with a colourful international team in Belmonte last October. “Belmonte can count on us!”
The leader of the Schoenstatt Movement in Italy, Fr Giovanni Riba (who also comes from Argentina), has invited the Schoenstatt Family in Rome and Italy to take part in the installation of the new Rector in the afternoon of 2 February. It will be a celebration!
Starting capital for the new Rector: Belmonte texts and Papal audience
Prayer for the new Rector – that is a matter of honour. Then we still got an idea: A Rector needs to be able to give gifts. Wouldn’t it be possible to give him something from all the countries, so that he can give them to all visitors, friends, colleagues, bishops and priests …? What would be more suitable than a gift that tells them about Belmonte, and about what the Church expects of Schoenstatt? It would have to be handy, versatile, light, not too expensive, and also look good!
Precisely.
Belmonte as Envisaged by Fr Kentenich – this booklet with three talks given by Fr Kentenich about and in Belmonte appeared for the first time at the Jubilee in German, English, Spanish and Portuguese – and will soon appear in Italian. MAKE IT YOUR GIFT – NOW
A Culture of Encounter is a Covenant Culture that Creates Solidarity – this booklet with the text of Pope Francis’ message to the Schoenstatt Movement during the audience on 25 October 2014, will be delivered in Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese and English, precisely in time for the inauguration of the new Rector! MAKE IT YOUR GIFT – NOW
In total a hundred of each of these booklets – that would be a good starting capital for Fr Daniel at his inauguration. Too few? A hundred in each language? He won’t say no!
It is quite easy: On the website offerta.roma.belmonte.info you can give one or more books of the audience (each 7€/8 US$) or the Belmonte texts (8 €/10 US$) in the language of the donor.
Congratuations Fr Daniel! We will be with you on 2 February when the jar from Rosario will definitely be in the shrine of all of us … for you!
To congratulate the new rector: rettore@roma-belmonte.info
Original: German. Translation: Mary Cole, Manchester, UK
