DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Sister M. Marissel. Sunday, October 17th, was a day of great joy for the Schoenstatt Family in the Dominican Republic: the opening of the triennium towards 2014 and following Father’s footsteps was celebrated.
The national Family gathered to:
- Celebrate the 96th Anniversary of the founding of Schoenstatt.
- Present the new motto for the year: “In loyalty as instruments of Mary, we follow Father’s footsteps towards 2014”.
- The official opening of the Triennium towards 2014.
The Father Symbol
The Father Symbol was enthroned once again in the Shrine for the opening of the triennium and the Family’s presentation of this year’s new motto dedicated to the Father current.
The pilgrims and members of the Schoenstatt Family from the different parts of the country began to arrive at 8:00 a.m. A long line of the Blessed Mother’s children could be seen from afar, and they waited for their turn to greet her at her throne of graces that was beautifully decorated for this event. On the outside front wall of the Shrine, there was a large photo of the Father and Founder, surrounded by footsteps, which attracted the attention of everyone; beside, a painting of the rainbow, symbol of the Covenant, allowed the discovery of the motto for the year.
Your Covenant our mission
The Holy Rosary was prayed at 10:00 a.m.; some pilgrims were chosen to pray a Hail Mary. In this way, a beautiful living rosary was formed in the Shrine’s square …
Then Sister M. Georgina Ramirez accompanied by a group of musicians, rehearsed the new year’s motto for the Schoenstatt Family from the Dominican Republic and the motto for the year 2014 that had been explained previously.
At 11:00 a.m. the most solemn ceremony of the day led by representatives from the different Branches of the Movement began with the meditation of the eighteen phrases taken from the Schoenstatt Founding Document. A beautiful procession followed the ceremony accompanied by solemn music. The procession departed from the Father memorial and proceeded toward the Shrine. There were eighteen children holding balloons that contained a message taken from the Founding Document. Five members of the Girls’ Youth carried the logo and the motto for 2014, the Schoenstatt flag, and lastly, Father Elgio Diaz Pérez held the Father Symbol in his hands.
The Jubilee Prayer was prayed for the first time
A beautiful instrumental melody accompanied the very solemn moment when the meaning of the logo and the motto for 2014 was explained.
Upon arrival at the Shrine, the five youth went to the square to welcome the Father Symbol with a dance, then the priest passed through the children, and the Father Symbol was placed in front of a rainbow-shaped portal designed for the front of the Shrine. Then the jubilee prayer prepared by Team 2014 was prayed.
After the prayer, the priest crossed the rainbow portal with the Father Symbol in his hands; at this moment everyone applauded with much joy and enthusiasm. This was the solemn opening of the triennium towards 2014.
Testimonies of the miracles of the MTA
The time for the children to release the balloons one by one arrived. While they were elevated, the messages written on them were read. Each child crossed the rainbow portal to release his/her balloon. When the last balloon ascended, the priest prayed a prayer and again placed the Father Symbol in the Shrine. This moment was accompanied with a song.
During the lunch that followed the ceremony, some testimonies about the wonders of the MTA’s work were heard, and there were other experiences and testimonies related to Father Kentenich. Songs and dances that were joyfully prepared by the pilgrims to greet the MTA during her celebration were also enjoyed.
At 2:30 p.m. the Holy Mass presided by Father Silvio Ortiz was celebrated. The different branches of the Schoenstatt Family prepared the Mass. During the homily the priest referred to the true meaning of the Covenant of Love and the importance of the capital of graces loyally experienced in daily life, making contributions of offerings and renouncing vain pleasures as a way to attain holiness in this world of mass men, where fashions and addictions attract the men and women of today. He continues to motivate the parents to educate their children with ethical and moral values to create a new society.
About 3,500 people around the Shrine
As usual, after the Holy Mass there was the commissioning and the renewal of the missionary commitment for the Pilgrim MTA missionaries.
The celebration concluded with the final blessing of the Holy Mass and expressions of gratitude; about 3,500 people around the Shrine participated to commemorate the 96th Anniversary of the Covenant of Love.
The following day, the 18th, Holy Mass was celebrated at the Shrine to commemorate the founding day; this Mass was attended by a smaller circle of the Family united to the preparations for the great 2014 Jubilee.
