ECUADOR, Sister María Auxiliadora. I would like to express the gratitude and profound emotion of Schoenstatt in Ecuador, which was experienced yesterday, October 17th, and that extended to the awaited October 18, 2010. On that day, the Schoenstatt Family gathered close to the Guayaquil Shrine to experience the opening of the triennium together…united as a local Family, but more importantly as an international Family.
The preparation was beautiful. Many Schoenstatters worked to make this great time possible: they prepared the Family Day, lunch, the tents, and they obtained the signal that cost 800 dollars…A friend of Aquiles and Laura Guerrero loaned it. They worked to inform, motivate and prepare. Everyday they sent all the Schoenstatters a message about the conference with a suggestion for meditation; a large poster of invitation was displayed.
And then, the day arrived. The church was filled with about 850 people from all the branches, ages, and areas.
We experienced the international opening
We experienced the international opening. It seemed like a dream that – near the founding one- hundred years ago – it would be possible to simultaneously experience a liturgy, a rite, and processions in all the countries. At 11:15 the Eucharist was celebrated followed by the direct transmission. It was a pleasant surprise that the transmission was prepared in several languages, and in a manner, that everyone could understand and follow!
The best part was that all of us learned about the elements of the triennium at the same time, in every country, and that it was proclaimed at the moment that we were tuned-in; that we could sing the hymn of the Family together seeing who represented us in Schoenstatt, and visually entering the Original Shrine.
I was in front complementing the translation along with Mónica Maruri and the Guerreros, and from there I could see the happy faces, the smiles of Schoenstatters that expressed the same joy. How touching that here we are in the Original Shrine united to so many brothers and sisters from other countries entering the triennium of preparation for the centennial of our Covenant of Love together!
The winner of the logo contest
Another enormous gift was that the logo designed by an Ecuadorian, María Cecilia Avilés (Chulla) who, at this great time, explained how she did it: she was in the Shrine, and the Blessed Mother drew it for her.
Moreover, we saw the Ecuadorians in Schoenstatt, the Ecuadorian flag…all the countries were named. Everything gave us the feeling of being in the Original Shrine. A large group in Quito also gathered to watch the transmission. And in Manta, everyone went on pilgrimage to the wayside shrine.
We cannot express our gratitude enough for this prelude to October 18th.
Thank God, there are people, who in Schoenstatt, here and everywhere, give all to make this miracle of family unity possible. Thanks to Team 2014 for everything, for its daring and generosity. Thanks to the excellent jubilee commissions here who have the spirit of the first sodalists. The following commissions were established:
- Headquarters
- Liturgy
- Finance
- Communication
-
Adoration
The work is beautiful with unity and joy, with gratitude for our Father and Founder.
Now we are united on this road to the Schoenstatt Centennial; we are ready for the large Covenant Mass that will be celebrated tonight when we will cross the arch of the next three years.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA/Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
