Towards 2014: Holy Mass in Covenant with Congo

mkf. On a cold and rainy September morning the fact that the Original Shrine was filled with twenty deacons and priests from the Congo, Burundi, Nigeria, India, and England in addition to Sisters of Mary from more than ten countries attending along with youth and adults from several communities, was an indication there was a Mass “towards 2014”. This September 4th, the Mass was in covenant with the Schoenstatt Family from the Congo. Father Jean-Bernard from the Congo, who was participating in Conference 2014, was the main celebrant; he celebrated the Mass in French, and he asked everyone to pray especially for peace in the Congo as well as in Burundi.

Congolese priests, accompanied by African songs to the beat of drums, celebrated the Mass in Covenant with the Congo; it was a special gift on this Saturday, September 4th. Like every first Saturday of the month, the Mass was transmitted live via Schoenstatt TV.

In covenant with those who suffer

At the beginning of the Mass, Father Andrew Pastore, from England, asked everyone in attendance to pray for the victims of the earthquake in New Zealand and for the Schoenstatt Family in that country. He also announced some news that profoundly touched everyone. The previous day, the Pilgrim MTA had arrived to be present with the relatives of the miners in Chile at the Esperanza (Hope) Camp at the Saint Joseph mine, to accompany them during the long weeks of waiting until their husbands, brothers, fathers, sons…are definitely rescued.

The dining room was full for breakfast!

As usual after Mass, everyone was invited to share breakfast at House Marienau. The dining room filled instantly! Father Andrew Pastore enjoyed sharing a table with several Sisters of Mary, who arrived in Schoensatt for the general chapter meeting of their community. While at another table, some young people from South Africa tried to recall some words in French so that they could communicate with the priests and deacons from the Congo and Burundi.

It is very beautiful that Schoenstatters who live in Schoenstatt or who are here visiting can take charge of Mass 2014 for “their country”. The small Ecuadorian community in Schoenstatt and the surrounding area is already preparing for the Mass on November 6th that will be celebrated in covenant with Ecuador.

Who will take charge of the Mass for the Czech Republic on October 16th or for Germany on October 30th?

In Croatia, the Schoenstatt Family has prepared prayers for the Mass for Croatia, on September 25th, and they want to celebrate a Mass at the same time with the same prayers in several places throughout their country.

List of all the dates for the Masses (pdf)

Video at SchoenstattTV

Translation: Celina Garza, Melissa Janknegt, USA