SPAIN, Juan Zaforas. On November 16th, the Schoenstatt Movement of Spain closed the Jubilee celebrations of the centenary by celebrating with the Church in Spain; they renewed the Covenant of Love in the Almudena Cathedral of Madrid after Bishop D. César Franco, Auxiliary Bishop of Madrid, celebrated Holy Mass.
In the filled cathedral, Bishop D. César Franco in his homily referred to the origins of the Movement and of its founder, Father Kentenich, as well as the attachment to the Original Shrine and daughter shrines, where the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt is venerated. He is well acquainted with the Schoenstatt spirituality and charism, thanks to his eighteen years as auxiliary bishop of Madrid and by participating in many ceremonies in the Pozuelo and Serrano Shrines; he gave a very clear message in light of the day’s Gospel.
Whoever has a talent, a charism, a Shrine, cannot bury it
Whoever has a talent, a charism, a Shrine, cannot bury it. That would be very “dumb”, it must be multiplied. It is good to be one hundred years old, but you must continue to multiply what has been accomplished up to now and trust in Providence to reach the celebration of the second centenary.
During the offertory, different members of the family presented various symbols, which are characteristic of the Movement. Before the final blessing, prompted by Father Carlos Padilla and initiated by Bishop D. César Franco, the entire Schoenstatt Family renewed its Covenant of Love by praying: My Queen, my Mother!
Original: Spanish – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
