BRAZIL, Sister M. Nilza P. da Silva. “I praise you, oh God, who has revealed these things to the little ones…” Jesus’ words could not be truer for the Leaders of the Schoenstatt Family in the southwest region. These words were from the Holy Gospel at the opening Mass, on October 21st, at 8:00, at the Tabor Shrine of the Permanent Presence of the Father, in Atibaia/SP.
Father was present just as in 1967
In 1967, during the last week of October of his life, Father Kentenich presented to the Diocese of Trier, Germany the Father Symbol, which was destined for the Original Shrine, with the mission of ensuring that Father would always remain alive in the family. Now after forty-four years, at the closing of the Year of the Father in Schoenstatt, this same Father Symbol was present at the Leaders’ Workshop right in the Shrine of the Permanent Presence of the Father. These are delicate signs of Father’s love, who chooses the little ones.
The Symbol is welcomed in a celebration
The Schoenstatt Family, which participated in the Leaders’ Workshop, came from thirty-seven cities, and joyful and enthusiastic about the mission, they met in front of the Shrine as brothers and sisters in the covenant. After brief words of introduction, they were invited to welcome the Father Symbol that came to the Workshop, a true sign of the Father and Founder’s presence. A festival of fireworks expressed the festive beat of each filial heart. Father arrived in an automobile and was welcomed with songs and joy. A family accompanied the symbol and presented it to Father Alexander Awi, the National Director of the Schoenstatt Movement, who was accompanied by Father Vandemir Meister, the Superior of the Schoenstatt Fathers. A poem was read to welcome Father.
Father is in the center of his children’s hearts
Then, each city was presented to Father. They were called by name, and a candle was placed in a special place. Little by little, with profound symbolism, the thirty-seven candles were placed in the shape of a heart. The Father Symbol was in the center: the Father unites all his children in the flame of love that warms and illuminates the cold and dark night. It was not necessary to explain everything with many words.
The Father reveals himself to the little ones
Then the Family accompanied the Father Symbol, which was led to the chapel of the provincial house, for the Holy Mass, presided by Father Alexandre and Father Vandemir. In his homily, Father Alexandre recalled the words of the Gospel, cited at the beginning of the text, and he affirmed that each one of us is one of these little ones who God has chosen and placed them as a guide for their Branch to reveal the secrets of his kingdom. They are the little ones to whom God reveals a great mission. They are the little ones, to whom God gave this great grace and the privilege of having the Father Symbol with them. They are the only Leaders’ Workshop in the entire world of the Schoenstatt Family that has this presence so full of grace.
Father Alexandre took a retrospective glance at the world’s main events, the Church’s, and the Schoenstatt’s Work in the world and in Brazil in this 2011year, and he invited everyone to thank God the Father. Furthermore at the same time, he looked toward 2012, the Year of Shrine in the great walk toward 2014, the centenary of the Covenant and the Schoenstatt Pre-founding Document. Meanwhile, Father Alexandre presented the direction that the Leaders’ Workshop, and the main current of ideas that will hopefully become life during this Schoenstatt year that is beginning.
He is in our midst
So, with the awareness of being chosen, the Family unites even more in the same Eucharistic bread, and hearts are illumined with Him, who is the light of life.
After Mass, the Family returned to the Shrine with the Father Symbol, where Father Alexandre officially invited Father to be with his children during these very important days for the life of Schoenstatt in several places. They renewed their commitment of loyalty to Father, and they received the blessing for the beginning of their work.
So that everyone would get some good rest, each child received a candy from the Father and Founder, and they joyfully retired, with burning hearts, illuminated and united to the heart of the Father.
Source: www.maeperegrina.com.br
Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English translation – Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit
