TEAM 2014, Clemens Mann. “It is my personal contribution, to spend two weeks of my vacation in preparation for the Jubilee. Gladly, I am willing to collect the meal tickets. This year we spent our annual vacation at Schoenstatt.” Simone Höhn, the coordinator of volunteers during the Jubilee pilgrimage to Schoenstatt has frequently heard and read phrases like this and similar ones. During the last few weeks, along with her, I have seen several hundred people from all over Germany. They all want to collaborate before the Jubilee and during the days of celebration, so that the pilgrims from allover the entire world can celebrate a great feast. They should lack nothing, when they arrive at Schoenstatt – perhaps the only time in their life – to encounter Mary on this historic date.
“More than 700 people have registered with me up to the registration deadline at mid-June. We did not expect that much willingness,” Höhn said. The organizers of Office 2014 had calculated 500 volunteers when registration opened. Now there are 700 Schoenstatters from the German dioceses, who are willing to work six hours daily, during the Jubilee celebrations.
The jubilee is only possible with the help of the volunteers
It will not be boring for the volunteers, because there will be enough work during the Jubilee pilgrimage: “We need volunteers for the musical presentation, for the food mile in the valley, for the common lodgings, and for the signs in the parking lots,” Höhn enumerated some of the fields of action. Along with these, help is needed to assist with the Tents of the Covenant Culture, in guiding visitors or at the information points. “The Jubilee is only possible thanks to the support of so many youths and adults. I am happy that many have made the celebration “their” Jubilee and are willing to also take the fire of enthusiasm to Schoenstatt’s second century,” Höhn opined.
This 26 year-old young lady has collaborated in Office 2014 since the beginning of the year, and she lives at Schoenstatt; she is especially surprised that there are volunteers of all generations. People between the ages of 16 to 84 have registered with Höhn. “This is admirable and it demonstrates that Schoenstatt is an authentic family. And in a true family everyone collaborates,” she said.
The volunteers pay for their ticket to the Jubilee
Along with the work during the days of the Jubilee, the volunteers also make a financial contribution.
“So that the cost for foreign pilgrims [will] not be so high, the volunteers also pay the total price of the ticket, just like every pilgrim,” said Father Stefan Strecker, of the Central Team 2014 that prepares the celebration in Schoenstatt. Without this support and solidarity the celebration could not be held.
Unlike the international pilgrims and those from the German dioceses, who will arrive at Schoenstatt by bus, the majority of the volunteers will be lodged at Schoenstatt. They will live at the Girls’ Youth Sonnenau House, at the Boys’ Groups Youth Center, in the Pallottines’ Wasserburg House, at the Training Center of Marienland, the Pilgrims’ House, in the Marian School, and in other houses of the Schoenstatt communities. Lodging at the main place is necessary for much of the work. For services such as packing breakfasts, some volunteers will have to arise at dawn. The volunteers, who are lodged at Mount Zion and Mount Moriah, will have to walk a good while to reach the valley. Simon Höhn advises that good shoes be worn “and of course, good humor and a pinch of serenity should be packed.”
Given the great feedback from the German Schoenstatt Family the deadline for registration closed in mid-June. This does not mean that collaboration is not needed. The office of volunteers would be happy if more people (from Germany) would offer their help. During the Jubilee, there will be a short program for volunteers. The details have not yet been determined; but as for now, this will also only be for volunteers from Germany.
Those who are interested may register at: helfer@schoenstatt2014.org or, during the celebration, at the place indicated for this purpose.
Original: German – Translation Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
