BRAZIL, Sister M. Silvana Pin. August 6, 2011, Day of Tabor! The Schoenstatt Family from Santa Maria gathered close to the Tabor Shrine with great joy and emotion to wait for the Father Symbol coming in a caravan from the Tabor Puer et Pater (Child and Father) Shrine in Itaara.
A carpet of rose petals from the entrance to the Shrine
The Father Symbol arrived at the entrance of the Shrine at 5:30 p.m. There was a carpet of rose petals from the door to the Shrine and the Branch flags were at the outer edges. The bells of the Adoration Church heard on the outdoor sound system reminded us of the special place the Father and Founder’s presence in the Adoration Church in Schoenstatt is, and the bells of the Shrine also pealed to welcome Father!
The meaning of the Father Symbol:
Gabriel and Alvenir Rossi, presidents of the Archdiocesan Council of the Family, gave the talk welcoming Father. Then the Sisters of Mary sang a song that was composed to greet Father on one of his visits to Tabor. Everyone listened to the Gospel reading about Tabor and to Father’s voice reading from part of the letter to Santa Maria. Afterwards, the representatives of the Branches offered flowers to Father. Everyone went in procession to Tabor Chapel, where there was a brief explanation of the meaning of the Father Symbol in the history of the Church and especially in Schoenstatt history. Holy Mass followed and during the offertory everyone wrote his/her petitions directed to Father.
After Holy Mass, they continued in procession to Tabor Shrine, where they received the final blessing, then the Symbol was placed in front of the altar, and everyone could pass in front of it to present their petitions and to personally greet Father.
Every son/daughter returned home with the awareness that Father was with them, and for quite sometime, they could contemplate on the glories of the Blessed Mother, which radiate from the Shrine.
Video (13 min.)
Source: www.tabormta.org
