org. What Schoenstatt presence is in Palaos?, Father José María asked at the beginning of the Mass. Perhaps none – surely only the Pilgrim MTA, who was sent to this country, knows-which can inspire us to remember at this moment in the Original Shrine, the countries that are still waiting for an encounter with the Covenant of Love. Father José María García said the Feast of Saint Xavier celebrated on December 3rd motivates us to also be apostles today: apostles, who are willing to serve man, to announce the good news to them. On the road to 2014, we feel called to be apostles of the Covenant of Love.
Father José María greeted those present – alternating between Spanish and German – he also greeted those who participated in this Mass via the live Internet transmission.
We filled the jars of the Shrine
After the general prayers of the faithful in a gesture of attachment, Father José María, asked for prayers for the Schoenstatt Family from Brazil, where the Father Symbol is on pilgrimage, for the Daybreakers from Chile, who a few hours later in the early morning in Chile were going to meet at La Moneda, the government headquarters in Santiago de Chile.
Just like every Saturday, we also remembered all the people, who with faith and confidence, had sent their petitions to the Original Shrine through schoenstatt.org. In this way, the small Shrine was filled with Schoenstatters from Chile, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, Portugal, the Philippines, and the United States. Approximately fifteen printed sheets with their names and petitions were placed in the jar making this large network of attached hearts visible in the Original Shrine, which is the central location.
The petitions at every Saturday Mass make what is prayed in the pilgrimage prayer “visible”:
We filled the jars of the Shrine with our gifts:
With our gratitude and repentance,
With our surrender and longing.
Next Saturday, December 10th, the Mass will be celebrated in covenant with Panama.
Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English translation – Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit
