Agathe Hug. “Where are the boots?” was the first question I was asked when I arrived at the Original Shrine. Ugh! What a problem! They are very damp because they were not put away properly in the basement, so in spite of my plans to the contrary, this is the reason I am wearing regular black shoes. But it is good to be at the Holy Mass in covenant with and for Montenegro. The sky above the Original Shrine is a brilliant blue, just like Montenegro…only the sea is missing.
United in prayer in the Original Shrine
The number of petitions that are sent week by week to the Original Shrine through schoenstatt.org is increasing.Photos of the deceased of the week: Teresita de Sokolowsky, Nancy Argentieri de Sainz (50 years old, an Argentinean missionary), Candela, a little girl, who was found dead in Buenos Aires… Photos of children especially entrusted to the Blessed Mother in the Original Shrine, petitions and prayers, gratitude and hope…Everything is received and placed on the altar during this Holy Mass.
Everything was considered along with the intentions for the country for which we were praying.
Father José María García, who had returned from WYD, mentioned all these petitions in the introduction and then he proceeds to the saint of the day, the Pope, Saint Gregory.
Sister M. Ramona, who works with the Pilgrim MTA in Montenegro, was in charge of musical accompaniment as announced.
What an antependium can awaken!
Like every first Saturday of the month after Holy Mass, breakfast is shared at House Marienau. During the previous breakfast, the new flag for 2014 was presented. This time it was the rough draft for an antependium for the Shrine.
All the participants at the breakfast talked about the existing model. What material should be used? It should be economically feasible, but also something noble. It cannot be embroidered (because of cost), but what can be chosen that has a similar aspect?
Too wide, too narrow, too light, too dark…
The designs that were presented were discussed. Isn’t the design too wide? Does it have to be so narrow? Won’t it be too dark above the altar which is also dark? Does it have to generally clear? Should the text – Your covenant our mission – be of one tone over a colored background? Or should it have color with a neutral background? What does this design transmit? What is preferred? Should few languages, and large letters, or small letters be used making it impossible to read from the last pew? If we opt for several languages, which ones will they be? What is easier to read?
To begin with, can a text be used? What are the liturgical norms concerning the use of the antependium in our Shrine. Many discussions emerged based on something as simple as the antependium for the altar of the Shrine.
The result of the discussion will surely be known in the coming weeks, as we get closer to the Year of the Shrine Current.
Breakfast at House Marienau can be very interesting.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio/Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
