Agathe Hug. There are some important anniversaries in the year 2012. Seventy years have passed since the January 20, 1942. The Pre-founding Document of October 27, 1912 is one hundred years old. It is seventy years since March 11, 1942. Presumably many are scratching their heads. Wednesday, March 11, 1942? That was the day Father Kentenich began the trip to Dachau. The train that took him from Koblenz to Limburg departed at approximately 4:00 p.m., passing through Bad Ems. In Limburg, the train that carried the prisoners was connected to another one. They spent the night in Frankfurt, and the following day they continued to Dachau, where they arrived on March 13th. What does this have to do with Senegal? March 10th, the Holy Mass “toward 2014 was celebrated in covenant with Senegal. The brothers/sisters in covenant in Senegal are also a part of the large Family of whom this period when Father Kentenich was jailed in Koblenz and in the concentration camp of Dachau seventy years ago is also important to them.
The 20th of January 1942, the second milestone in Schoenstatt is also for them. “Please, understand the answer based on the faith in the reality of the supernatural and of the communion of destinies among the members of our Family!” (Letter of the 20th of January 1942). This convocation and this letter are also valid for them. This second milestone also convokes them to have unlimited confidence in God’s plans. It is fascinating to think that there are people who do not know each other mutually, but who know they are also on the road toward 2014, and who live from the same spiritual roots, that the same dates and events are also important to them. Father Kentenich always spoke about the “Schoenstatt FAMILY”.
To be Family means to be in charge of them, that is the reason I am interested in these brothers/sisters from Senegal, that is the reason I will represent them on Saturday, March 10th in the Original Shrine, and that is reason that this date on Saturday morning is very important for me; therefore, I will participate in THIS Holy Mass whenever it is possible, and not many of the others that could be chosen in Schoenstatt. THIS Holy Mass is the expression of our pilgrimage together, as a Family, toward 2014.
A couple of details about Senegal
After these considerations, a couple of scant details about Senegal. The capital is Dakar.
For the linguists, Senegal, like the majority of the African countries, is a paradise. There are six main groups with many groups derived that belong to a large idiomatic family, but they do not mutually understand those who speak it as a maternal language. The majority of the languages use the Latin alphabet, but there are also some Arabic variants, since Senegal was indoctrinated by the Muslims in the 19th century. Presently between 90 to 94% of the population is Islamic. Although Senegal’s constitution proclaims to be a lay state, the religious dignitaries play a very important role in the political sphere.
Christianity came to Senegal with the first Portuguese discoverers. The Christian community of Senegal exists mainly as a consequence of the “daring” adventurers of Portuguese origin and their descendants, the Creoles. The efforts of the French missionaries during the colonial era were limited to maintaining social peace in the people, who were not Islamic. Consequently, the Christian Senegalese above all in the southern part of the country belongs to the Serer and Dyula ethnicities. In general, the relations between the Christians and the Muslims are marked by mutual respect.
As a result of the prolonged political stability, the country that is located in the westernmost part of Africa has developed as a desired tourism destination. The five hundred kilometers of beaches on the Atlantic invite one to take a swim. The baobabs, royal hibiscus, ceibas, acacias, tamarinds, as well as different palms define the major part of the picture of the country, while thick mangroves grow at the mouth of the rivers.
Schoenstatt en Senegal: the Pilgrim MTA, a young Argentinean, and a couple of students
The final question is, as always: what about Schoenstatt in Senegal? A brief search through schoenstatt.org provides the answer.
Several years ago there was a group of very enthusiastic students in Dakar. A young Argentinean, who went there as a missionary for a while, made contact with students and she gave them a Pilgrim MTA. In 2002 another five were sent to Dakar. The article is found (in Spanish and German) at schoenstatt.org (which at that time was schoenstatt.de).
A year later one could read the webpage on the Internet: “June 1, 2003”
SENEGAL, Dakar: Thanksgiving Mass for the first anniversary of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign in Senegal
On June 1st, the missionaries of the Pilgrim MTA from Dakar participated in a Holy Mass of thanksgiving for the first anniversary of the Campaign in Senegal. They invited all the families who receive the Pilgrim MTA to this event.
The Campaign came to Senegal through a young girl from Cordoba, Argentina. She took one of the fifty Pilgrim MTAs that were sent forth in the year 2000, at the international encounter of the Campaign in Santa Maria, Brazil, as “jubilee Pilgrim MTAs” for new countries, and it was supported by the entire Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign of Argentina. Meanwhile, there are six Pilgrim MTAs that visit seventy families”.
It concludes with this phrase:
“One day, when Senegal has its own Shrine…” At this time, there is none, and no one knows if Paul Mendy and the other students of that time are still attached to Schoenstatt, but the Pilgrim MTA is there, and there are brothers/sisters in the covenant, who She touches. On March 10th and during the entire week everyone is invited to unite with them.
Centenary Masses in the Original Shrine
Traducción: aat, Argentina
