USA, CARLOS CANTU. The Schoenstatt Family of Texas met for its annual October Day on Sunday, October 27, 2013, at the Confidentia Shrine/Schoenstatt Center in Rockport/Lamar, Texas. A beautiful day added to the joyfulness of the participants who came from various parts of the state. The year’s motto for 2013 – 2014, YOUR COVENANT – OUR MISSION, emphasizes the Covenant of Love as the “essence of the Family” which becomes their mission, and simultaneously commits them to the key feature of their mission, that which Father Kentenich gave to the Church and world: the Covenant of Love.
After an invitation for coffee and cake, the participants gathered at the Confidentia Shrine to greet Blessed Mother and for an opening prayer. Father Kentenich’s words on March 25, 1950, commenced the annual celebration: “May the Triune God bless us all! May He bless this place, may He bless the crowds we envisage coming here on pilgrimage year after year, above all may He bless the people who want to allow themselves to be educated here, in order to guide a movement of religious and moral renewal into the world.” After heartfelt singing and a ritual prepared for the opening prayer of the October Day, the participants proceeded to the training center for the Eucharistic celebration. Presiding at the Eucharist was Schoenstatt Father, Marcelo Aravena.
The mission to transform the world into a good place
After the entrance hymn, the diocesan leader for the Mothers’ Branch in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Virgie Cantú, read a beautiful prologue. In his homily, Fr. Marcelo stressed that the Covenant of Love with the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt gives us a sense of life and makes us aware that we are blessed with fidelity. He also stressed God’s faithfulness to the Covenant in the person of the Blessed Mother and that living faithfulness forgives our many weaknesses on our way to everyday sanctity; because God is faithful to us we are able to keep on going. He also emphasized that we have a mission, a task to love, that we have to love God, the Church, one another and the world where we are living. We have the mission to transform the world into a good place.
Four essential aspects for Texas
In the conclusion of his homily, Fr. Marcelo also emphasized that the Covenant of Love is a way of life and is a perfect tool for building a covenant culture. He stressed for those in Texas, they must all work through four essential aspects:
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Proclaim the message of the Covenant of Love everywhere and lead people to the Covenant of Love…honor God and Blessed Mother in the Covenant of Love…share this treasure
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Focus all one’s efforts on the Shrine at all levels (Daughter Shrines, Wayside Shrines, Home Shrines, Heart Shrines, etc.)…in every expression possible
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Build up a welcoming Schoenstatt at the centers and local churches…embrace people
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Foster new leadership at all levels… encourage others to take responsibility, to dare.
Mother, we trust in You!
100 years of blessing
After lunch, the participants gathered in the training center for an inspiring audiovisual presentation. After the presentation, we went in procession via the Father Founder Room to the statue of the Father and Founder, which faces the Shrine. An impressive ritual had been prepared commemorating the celebration of the international opening of the Jubilee Year, recalling the One Hundredth Jubilee of the Original Shrine, the Diamond Jubilee of the Exile Shrine, and the Golden Jubilee of the International Shrine of the Father Kingdom. At the Father Statue, there was a bouquet of roses for the Blessed Mother from the Father and Founder and from her Texas children. The roses were presented in gratitude for 100 years of blessings. Also present was the Jubilee flag, a picture of the Original Shrine, and the Pledge of Loyalty from the Texas Schoenstatt Family.
Carrying the fire of the Covenant everywhere
The impressive and meaningful ritual included a fire symbolizing their longing to carry the fire of the Covenant to everyone they meet and a prayer for the beatification of Father Kentenich. The Jubilee candle was then lit from the fire and in silence they stood before the closed door of the Shrine. Their ritual continued with a rite of purifying their hearts. Then came the opening of the Jubilee Door. Fr. Marcelo knocked three times on the door of the Shrine, and to the sound of heavenly trumpet music, the door opened from within. Blessed Mother was then presented with the 100 roses as a sign of their devotion and gratitude, and the Jubilee Candle was placed in the sanctuary. After words from the First Founding Document, they offered their pledge of loyalty as Founder Generation and they crowned the Blessed Mother as their Queen of Childlike, Victorious Confidence for the next 100 years.
When the ringing of the shrine bell announced the Jubilee Year…
With hearts welling full of joy and gratitude, they recited their Pledge. With great solemnity, they prayed the crowning prayer and offered anew their crown and themselves to the Mother and Queen. Their Pledge with many signatures was then placed on the altar of the Confidentia Shrine. All participants then formed the traditional loyalty ring from the Shrine and around the Statue of Father Kentenich and sang three times: Unite, O Father. They then received the blessing, hearing the fatherly voice of the Father and Founder. With the ringing of the Shrine bell announcing the Jubilee Year, diocesan leaders and/or representatives received a Jubilee Candle for each diocese. During the last song, all were invited to come forward and receive a motto card for the year and to step over the threshold of the Shrine.
The day came to a close with the distribution of delicious Shrine cookies. Joyful Texas Schoenstatt children went forth with enthusiasm and determination to be the founding generation for the next 100 years!
