PUERTO RICO, Solmarie Sotelo. “The saddest moment has come…” says a song, and this was the feeling at the moment of bidding farewell to the Father Symbol in Puerto Rico. The Holy Trinity and the Founding Father are represented in this symbol. It was Joseph Kentenich who chose to be represented in the Father Symbol when a family asked what symbol he would like to represent him in the Home Shrine..
On Friday, February 5, 2010, the Schoenstatt Family gathered in the Chapel of Our Lady of Providence at the Luis Munoz Marin Airport to give thanks and bid farewell to the Father Symbol.
During the farewell at the celebration of a very beautiful and touching liturgy, those present thanked heaven, the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt, and the Founding Father for the many blessings and miracles experienced during its visit to the Enchanted Island. Yes, miracles! Not physical miracles, but there were spiritual ones of inner transformation and apostolic zeal: “Father has done great things for us!”
Father’s treasure’s visit and presence extended throughout the island
This symbol, which is one of Father’s treasures, having been given by the Founding Father to the Diocese of Treir in Germany, has visited much more than Schoenstatt Shrines. The visit extended throughout the island, through seven dioceses, where it conquered Home Shrines and above all the hearts of the Schoenstatt Family in Puerto Rico: Cor Unum in Patre (One heart in the Father). It was a time of celebration and joy with a Puerto Rican flavor.
Thank you Father, for visiting us.
Finally, “The saddest moment has come,” because the physical symbol of the Father is departing the Schoenstatt Family from Puerto Rico, but they are happy, joyful and blessed because Father remained with them, in each heart! The Pérezes took the symbol to Schoenstatt, where it would be given to the representatives of the Schoenstatt Family from Hungary.
As Mike, who had the blessing of knowing the Founding Father, would say: Long live Father! May he live!
The visit of the Father Symbol continues to shine in the Schoenstatt Family, who travels toward the centennial of the Covenant with the motto: Father, may we live under your priestly gaze: In Solidarity and in Childlikeness -Until 2014!
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA /Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
