mkf. “Did it leave Zimbabwe ok? Were there problems at the border? Where is it now in South Africa?” These questions were asked last December 3rd in Memholz. The response was: yes. Yes, he – in Memholz, from mid November and the “Week of the Father,” the symbol is “he” and its visit simply never ends – on November 26th it flew from Manchester to Johannesburg and from there it traveled to Harare. From December 1st to December 13th it was in Johannesburg. Now it is in Cabo City. He, Father Kentenich – the Father Symbol also represents him – who in the year of the Father current visits the International Family and invites everyone to celebrate the centennial of the Covenant of Love in Schoenstatt and in Rome.
On November 21st, the symbol of the Father bade Memholz farewell. Everyone who held it was radiant, from the adults to the smallest children, as if he were still there. His visit never ends and it is told by the House, the Shrine and the people.
The beautiful scenes experienced at the farewell – on the morning of November 21st – clearly demonstrated that during this week, the relationship with this symbol and with Father Kentenich deepened. Sofia Hinterberger, who with her little sister, Helena, a few days earlier had had in their hands – with awe and respect – the Father Symbol, carried it from the House Chapel to the reception where they gave it to Sr. Marion who then took it to Schoenstatt. Within sixty or seventy years, they will be able to narrate to a Schoenstatt Family who will listen to them with amazement how it was when this precious symbol was on pilgrimage throughout the world and what they felt when they had it in their hands…
A red rose for the trip
When it left, the children formed a path, waving banners and multicolored kerchiefs and they continued waving until they could no longer see the car. “Our Father, of course, sat in the passenger’s seat with his seatbelt fastened and was given a red rose for the trip,” shared Sr. Ingrid Maria. And she added: “It was a special week. Sometimes it went to where it was not expected; at another time, it did not arrive where it was expected. At times one passes unprepared through the hallway and continues carrying the Father Symbol in one’s hands. Or, at another time, for hours one runs after it only to find out that it is precisely visiting the surrounding areas…..” Pause. “This is as it was when he was here at that time. This is exactly how it was now…..”
Narratives on Father Kentenich for children
What would he have done if he had been in Memholz for an entire week? This question was the main thought on the Week of the Father spontaneously planned in Schoenstatt auf’m Berg.
He wanted to be with his best collaborators on a normal workday
And in this way, the Father Symbol visited the different work stations of the House. He was in the offices for a while, in the kitchen, in the dining room and he saw how work is done there.
He would be especially happy to be with the children
Everywhere he was, the children always wanted to be near him. He liked to make jokes and laugh with them and he liked to give them gifts. This is verified by the many photos and stories of Schoenstatters who are now adults. In the morning, 19 children gathered to hear Mrs. Weh tell them about Father Kentenich. She organized a riddle contest on Father, she gave out Blessed Mother and Father Kentenich medals, they made Rosaries and they were simply happy to know this Father. She concluded with the blessing of the children in the Shrine…
He took plenty of time to listen and to narrate. Plenty of time
That is why Norbert and Gertrud Jehle narrated – in the presence of the Father Symbol – anecdotes from Milwaukee and about the multiple aspects of a prophetic paternity which one encounters on the pilgrimages following the footsteps he left there. The Father Symbol visited a young Family Federation course during the reading of Father texts; and “he” was also there when Mr. Vogler, the artist who designed the “Prophet’s Room,” spoke about his journey toward and with Father Kentenich and how he – with “his hand in his hand, his heart in his heart” could forgive the bus driver who had hit him…
He participates in the celebration of the Covenant of Love in the Shrine and in the “Study of the sources” – a time dedicated to the study of the conferences which Father Kentenich gave in Memholz – and he is simply present accompanying his family.
He was present when the promoters of the future “Kentenich School” in Kempten, developed, along with Sr. Kornelia from Schoenstatt, their next steps with public relations. He was present at the opening ceremony of the Academy, at the week’s Holy Masses, in the hours of adoration and in the Saturday night vigil organized by the youth.
He also visited…
He visited the persons in the surrounding areas who were or are connected to him. On one day of this Week of the Father, the Father Symbol went along with a small group – amid the ice and snow – to visit the tomb of Gertraud von Boullion.
On another day, he saw the possible buildings in Kempten for the future “Kentenich School,” not only from a “realistic” point of view to a:”because it is impossible, then it is possible.” On this issue there is a separate report (in German).
And in the evening, naturally, also visited is the apartment of the Sisters, the living quarters of the family responsible for the house, the apartment of the chaplain, Fr. Erhard….. A special program is organized for this.
He returned again
Saturday, November 20th. The ceremony for the opening of the Academy will begin in two hours. Three persons are on the stairway: one of them is carrying the Father Symbol (and has to take it to the House Chapel) and truthfully, everyone should already be somewhere else, but as they speak they get enthused and continue chatting. “He” was simply among them. An older couple entered. They were arriving early – along with their oldest daughter – for the ceremony of sending off of their son and they still had some time. “Look there, it’s the Father Symbol!…..” – “The Father Symbol? We did not know it would be here. On the contrary, we would have gotten here earlier.” A bit sad and with a definite trace of nostalgia in their voice ….. a long look. “Do you want to have it?” With shining eyes they answered: yes! And together they held the Father Symbol in their hands, continuously looking at it…
43 years ago, on the occasion of the visit to Memholz, Father Kentenich specially blessed a lady who very much longed to have her first child. He asked the Blessed Mother – prayed insistently – that She would do something in this regard.
It was that same lady who now radiantly carried the Father Symbol.
Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA 12282010
