BURUNDI, Mariya Niyibizi. After participating in the 100 year Jubilee Celebrations of the Covenant of Love in Ngozi Diocese in northern Burundi, I took a little time to meditate on this prophecy and our founder’s desire: “May the world become Schoenstatt.” I was surprised by the large turnout of the Schoenstatt Family but even more so with the sacrifices they made for this Jubilee. Most of the Schoenstatters walked more than four hours under the hot sun. Four hundred Schoenstatters who came from distant parishes were hosted in the homes of Schoenstatt people in Ngozi.
Celebrations began at the Don Bosco Ngozi High School on 13 April. More than 2,000 Schoenstatters carried scarves, flags and posters, and five priests – two of which belong to the Diocesan Institute, one to the Union and two to the League were also present. This event took place on a working day, which means that many people weren’t there. Imagine if it had been held on a Sunday.
The organization was faultless, the various commissions got involved: liturgy, ceremony, animation, service, security, health…
A Light for the World
Many of the participants were still on their way, so those who had already arrived were accompanied by the lively sounds of the Don Bosco High School choir. Despite the hot sun, the faces of both the children and adults radiated with indescribable joy. Yes, Schoenstatt is the light of the world.
The day’s activities began with a short opening prayer, after which the diocesan chaplain, Fr. Damase, explained the three years of preparation for the Jubilee and highlighted ten characteristics of a Schoenstatter in this Jubilee year, which can be summed up as workday sanctity.
Sr. Mariya then gave a talk on the Covenant of Love. This was followed by national chaplain, Fr. Anicet Nyandwi, who encouraged the participants to offer many contributions to the capital of grace, to give more of themselves in their respective groups, to help one another…
Shortly after midday, the participants made a procession around the venue and this was followed by Holy Mass, concelebrated by the diocesan chaplain and five other priests. The Schoenstatt choir from Busiga provided the music. In his homily, Fr. Damase linked the readings of the day to the Jubilee. After communion, the participants renewed the Covenant of Love, using the rite prepared by the national coordination team.
After the recessional hymn, everyone was invited to the school cafeteria for a meal, where the Schoenstatters were allocated tables according to their parish groups. Because there were so many people, lunch was divided into two sessions. When I asked how they ensured that everyone got something to eat, the kitchen staff told me that it was by grace of the MTA!
Everyone felt responsible for the Jubilee and the celebration had a deep family, Marian and religious feeling.
The comments after the celebration included:
1) The MTA has the task of conquering souls
2) Schoenstatters know the demands that the MTA makes of us, particularly to fill the capital of grace.
3) Schoenstatt is a family united in the heart of the Mother and in the heart of the Father.
4) Schoenstatt is God’s work mapped out for eternity.
We thank our MTA for the marvels worked in Schoenstatt in all the corners of the earth.
Original: French. Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Cape Town, South Africa
