Frank Blumers. The large MTA mosaic for 2014 is growing day by day; you can follow it online at www.mta-schoenstatt.de. What is it all about? By 2014 a huge MTA mosaic should have been created in Schoenstatt and Rome – cf. 2005 Pope John Paul II at the World Youth Day in Cologne. The MTA mosaic means showing our true face for Schoenstatt, latching spiritually onto the preparations for 2014 and doing a good deed in the process – supporting the celebrations in 2014 and Belmonte. With Fr Kentenich we ask the Blessed Mother, “Let us resemble you …”, and she responds, “Give me your face!” With our MTA mosaic we want to make our covenant of love visible and practical. On behalf of his pastoral visit to Mexico and Cuba, some seminarians uploaded Benedict XVI – find his photo here.
In this series we will act on behalf of various personalities and upload them into the large MTA mosaic. Is that possible? Of course, we can dedicate people to the Blessed Mother and ask her to be a Mother to them. Think of young Joseph Kentenich, or the covenant of love we made for the youth of the world.
Our series will start with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on the occasion of his journey to Mexico and Cuba.
A delicate mission in Mexico?
As usual, when the Pope visits a country there is talk of it being a difficult mission … but in Mexico the Pope is visiting a country that is faced with tremendous challenges. Last year alone there were twelve thousand victims in the so-called “drugs war” between the Mexican government and the drug cartels. It also happens increasingly that people who have nothing to do with drugs are murdered and kidnapped. Since the start of the battle between the government and the drug dealers it is estimated that 50,000 people have been killed.
Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the USA! In the north of Mexico along the border to the United States it seems that whole regions are controlled by the drug cartels. The army and police are helpless, and besides, the police are totally corrupt. The drug cartels have announced a break in hostilities during the Pope’s visit.
Mexico – a truly wonderful country
Although reports on the drugs war find their way into the world and the media, the people in the country hardly notice the “violencias”, the violence. And, thanks be to God, Mexico is not only characterised by its problems, it is in very truth a wonderful country with a rich culture and huge biodiversity, with the people who live there and its landscapes – gorgeous beaches, rain forests and deserts.
¿Tan lejos de Dios?
Mexico is also unique in its religion. With over 80% Catholics it is one of the most “Catholic” countries in the world. Although the state is very secular, the Catholic faith plays a huge role and is deeply rooted in the hearts of Mexicans. In particular their devotion to Our Lady of Guadelupe not only establishes the identity of the 110 million Mexicans, it is also an expression of the depth of their faith and love for God.
The decisions made at Aparecida on the continental mission of the Church have to a great extent been put into practice, and in general there is a vital life of faith that is promoted by the evangelisation of the parishes. Schoenstatt is also present in Mexico, along with many other spiritual movements. There are already four shrines and the Movement is developing and growing.
Pope John Paul II’s five visits are still very alive in the memories of most Mexicans, and they are very happy that a Holy Father is again coming to visit them, even it they see Pope Benedict as very “German”, whatever that may mean …
Benedict as the messenger of peace
Benedict’s main message will be the message of peace, which can only be found in Jesus Christ. Let us ask the Blessed Mother to take Pope Benedict under her special protection for his important visit to Mexico and Cuba, and that the great longing of the Mexican people for peace may finally be fulfilled in their country. “Let us offer the Cross and Mary’s picture to the people as the sign of redemption.”
Here the unique link to the Holy Father in the MTA mosaic. There is a chance to get YOUR photos just next to him!
