mev. The first Holy Mass “toward 2014” of the Year of the Missionary Current was celebrated in covenant with the “Men’s Rosary” from Brazil, one of the apostolic projects in the field of “the incorporation of our original charism into the diocesan and universal Church” (Message 2014), which Father Heinrich Walter especially mentioned in his message for the opening of the third year of the triennium, the Year of the Missionary Current.
Father Stefan Strecker, who – along with Sister Luciane – heads the Central Team 2014, welcomed the many pilgrims who arrived that morning at the Original Shrine. Most of them were participants of October Week held at Mount Schoenstatt during those days.
In the spirit of the Rosary Campaign of the Pilgrim Mother, the Men’s Rosary began in Recife, Brazil. These meetings are held in parishes and shrines; they strengthen parish life and unfold a masculine spirituality within the Church.
In his introduction, Father Stefan emotionally related with amazement the accomplishments of – the Men’s Rosary project that has reached the length and breadth of Brazil: “Every Saturday the men who participate in this project meet every early to pray the rosary. This Rosary unites almost half a million men week by week! A fruit of the Covenant of Love that creates a new culture, a Covenant Culture,” he said. The initiatives of popular devotion that are exclusively masculine are not common in the Catholic Church. Man, however, continues to have a fundamental role in society and the family. It is for this reason that the proposal of this group tries to offer a space within the bosom of the Church for man’s growth, so that he can “play his role of paternity and Christian mission in a better way.” By praying and cultivating his spirit, he can once again occupy his place as shepherd and teacher, following Christ’s example.
The “Men’s Rosary” in the virtual tents of the covenant culture
Web page: http://www.tercodoshomens.org.br
Prayers that arrived from the entire world
An especially impressive number of countries were present in this Holy Mass through the petitions, offerings, and expressions of gratitude that arrived during this week via the direct line to the Original Shrine. Petitions arrived from Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, the United States, Paraguay, Panama, Nigeria, Guatemala, Germany, Portugal, South Africa, England, Austria and Spain. After the petitions were read, Sister Luciane invited the participants to pray the pilgrimage prayer in German and Spanish, and then everyone renewed the Covenant of Love.
Father Stefan raised the sheets with the petitions presenting them to the MTA and to everyone present before placing them in the jar.
Prayers were said for the Men’s Rosary groups and for all the apostolic projects, as well as for the Schoenstatt Family worldwide on this pilgrimage toward 2014, for everyone who prays the pilgrimage prayer daily, and for many throughout the world who consecrate their strength and time for the preparation of the great Jubilee of the Covenant of Love.
Special prayers were offered for the Schoenstatt Family in Germany, whose delegates were in Schoenstatt for the October Retreat, and for all the delegates’ retreats taking place in different countries.
Next Saturday, October 27th – the day that the 100th Anniversary of the Pre-founding Document will be commemorated – the Holy Mass toward 2014 will be celebrated with the Marriage Enrichment project in Italy.
Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX, USA
