AUSTRALIA, Sr. M. Rebecca Sampang. Celebrating the Centenary Jubilee in over 200 shrines worldwide, the Schoenstatt Family at Mt Richon-Armadale marked this milestone with a crowd of over 600 at a special celebration on Sunday October 19.
As crowds of people descended upon the grounds, the Shrine was transformed from a place of silence and peace to one filled with life and jubilation. A large outdoor marquee and altar were set up in order to somehow ‘extend’ the Shrine.
A jubilee procession
As the combined Schoenstatt and St Cecilia choirs intoned the hymn My Spirit Rejoiced When They Told Me, high school students came in procession carrying four international flags and the Schoenstatt flag. These were followed by symbols signifying the essence of the history of Schoenstatt’s Covenant of Love and the culmination of the Jubilee preparations – the Pilgrim Mother picture carried by Peggy Smith and Susan Bosci; a banner of the Founder, Father Joseph Kentenich was brought up by Joy and John Doherty; the Shrine Jar symbolizing the collective prayers, sacrifices and spiritual striving was brought forward by Ida and Stephen Stokes; 9 Covenant Medals of those who would be sealing their Covenant of Love was brought up by the candidates Mercedes Burton and David Torr and 100 red roses, one for every year of Mary’s loyalty to the Covenant of Love carried by groups representing the areas where the Covenant culture wishes to penetrate – Families; Youth; the Church; Society and Education.
Covenant of Love
Holy Mass was then celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey along with 20 clergy from across the Archdiocese of Perth. After his homily, Archbishop Emeritus Hickey called Mercedes Burton; Sheila Chambers; Jennifer Giglia; Pamela Kenyon; Maureen Labouchardiere; Bette Lyra; Vilma Lyra; David Torr and Eugenie Urs to seal their Covenant of Love with Mary. Then Archbishop Emeritus Hickey led everyone present to make a Covenant of Love on behalf of our country Australia.
A spiritual Jubilee gift
At the conclusion of Mass everyone in the congregation were invited to write down a spiritual Jubilee gift for Mary as well as their intentions, and to place this into the Shrine Jar. At the same time they could receive the commemorative gift of a picture of the Original Shrine. The celebrations continued with food and refreshments provided the many generous volunteers who assisted in its preparation, including a Jubilee cake especially blessed and cut by the Archbishop. Young students from Instrumentals Community Orchestra provided short instrumental pieces as the crowd mingled and enjoyed refreshments. All who attended were so happy to have come.
Photos: Mathew De Sousa, Clarence James Powell.
A very good article. It truly was a wonderful day. I was also conscious of all the other Shrines around the world and hoped that their celebrations would be as good. My thoughts were also with all those at the Original Shrine. I had the privilege of being there in May this year for four wonderful days and so I knew exactly how it would be being there.