PUERTO RICO, Solmarie Sotelo. Beneath resplendent sunshine that was a blessing after a very rainy week in Puerto Rico, the Schoenstatt Family gathered on Sunday, January 17, 2010, in an Act of Solidarity with Father Kentenich in anticipation of commemorating another anniversary, January 20, 1942. January 20th was an important day that decidedly determined Father Kentenich’s departure for the concentration camp. That date and everything that happened afterwards to Father Kentenich and the Schoenstatt Family profoundly mark its history; it was a day filled with emotion.
The Schoenstatt Family gathered at the Father House (the Retreat House), where with great joy and songs, the new entry door and a small replica of the Ver Sacrum Lamp were blessed (the lamp that recalls the radical giving of self of the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth in Germany during World War II, as Ver Sacrum – “sacred springtime”; to symbolize this they presented a red glass lamp for the Original Shrine).
They prayed to Father Kentenich: “Stay with us and while you are among us, bless our hearts like you blessed the Ver Sacrum; continue to ignite our hearts as you set the Ver Sacrum alight. Continue to give us your light and the flame of your love just as you gave it in the symbol of the Ver Sacrum that now Lights your way. Bless us, Father and stay with us in the Light of the Ver Sacrum!”
With torches and flags, while holding hands with the Schoenstatt pioneers, who were blessed to have known the Founding Father personally, the Father Symbol was taken on pilgrimage to the Shrine and where everyone experienced: Father is here.
In the Shrine, Father Mario Mastrangelo invited them once again to holiness: “…this is what we need…more saints in daily life,” Father once said as he meditated on the prayer of the Our Father in Heavenwards. The presence of the Father Symbol, which was given to the Schoenstatt Family by Father Kentenich, was the source of joy for everyone.
They renewed the Covenant in the presence of the Founding Father and beneath his priestly gaze, offering their Capital of Grace to the Mother Thrice Admirable Queen and Victress of Schoensatt.
Then the children from Barranquitas, the Trovadores, arrived; accompanied by guitars, they sang their ballads that alluded to the January 20th celebration with the typical rhythm of the Puerto Rican mountains.
Father comes, Father is with us
Deacon Ronald Rojas reflected on the subject: “Father comes, Father is with us”. He pointed out this providential time in which the Father Symbol visited Puerto Rico.
He emphasized: Father is with us, and Father was also a providential man. We, his children, should also be providential.” “Father is here to remind us that in spite of the failures of society, politics, or the economy, holiness can never fail us.
Father reminds us that a child of Mary will never perish.” And finally, as Mike Esteves (who knew Father personally) would say: “Long live the Father.”
The Eucharistic celebration was a spiritual gift celebrated by Father Francisco Rojas and concelebrated by Father Hector and Father Mario Mastrangelo. The homily was more than a meditation; rather it was a message of hope, which became a prayer of thanksgiving and an offering to Jesus.
Through these words everyone was prepared to commit themselves along with the Founding Father, with his person, and his work. He risked his life for us. Now we want to identify ourselves with him. It is not hard to identify with him. We feel that we are his children. What is difficult to do is to go from identifying ourselves with him to imitating him.
As a part of this very special homily, the members of the National Council gathered at the altar to carry out the enthronement of the Father Symbol in the Pilgrims’ Center.
Father Francisco Rojas blessed this Father Symbol and unexpectedly he revealed that this Father Symbol will stay with the family of Puerto Rico, while the international Father Symbol will soon continue its worldwide pilgrimage. Each person had a small Father Symbol with his/her name.
After the prayers of commitment with Father and the act of solidarity with the Founding Father, the small symbols were exchanged as a sign of solidarity among the family.
The intention is to pray for that person, who will remain under Father’s gaze until 2014 and beyond.
The sweetness of the Father’s presence among us
After the Holy Mass, they expressed their gratitude with songs and applause for the new Sacred Springtime in the Schoenstatt Girls Youth, bidding farewell to two young ladies who departed for Wisconsin on January 19th to join the community of the Sisters of Mary: They are Fabiola and Samari.
After the Eucharist, Grisobel especially dedicated a song to Father Kentenich.
All of Puerto Rico was represented, adults and children. As a gift of Father’s paternal affection, each person received a cookie in the shape of the Father Symbol. This small detail brought much filial joy, and the sweetness of Father’s presence among us. Thank you Father!
