Fifty years after November 1, 1959, Father Guillermo Mario Cassone, a Schoenstatt Father from Argentina presently working in Rome, shares a testimony about his first encounter with Father Kentenich that took place that day at the Milwaukee Shrine.
Fifty years ago in June, a few months after learning about Schoenstatt in Córdoba, I had the grace of personally meeting the Founding Father in his place of exile in Milwaukee. I want to summarize the testimony of this encounter that lasted four hours.
After a very affectionate greeting, he led our course to the Shrine that was in the garden of the house where he lived. For me, it was the first time to see and to enter a Schoenstatt Shrine, and I truly felt the impact of the closeness of the Blessed Mother in this place.
Father opened the door for us, he turned on the lights, and after a moment of silent prayer he explained the meaning of the Shrine and its symbols.
Then we prayed together for a while in silence, afterwards he gave us the blessing aloud.
We took several photos with him inside and outside of the Shrine.
He took us to his house, and invited us for coffee break. He himself went to pick up dishes, coffee, and cake, and brought everything to his office, where we sat down and shared the food with him.
Meanwhile, he asked us about Argentina, our first experience with the Movement, he wanted to know about our life in the first group of youth from Córdoba, how we felt, what we did, and if we were happy. We also showed him several photos we had. He was truly a Father, who was close and spontaneous, he conquered us.
Trust that the Blessed Mother will always guide you
During the time after a snack, I began to ask him a series of questions that I had written it was like an interview. He answered one after the other with great patience and with pedagogical simplicity, so that we would understand.
Since I do not have the notes at hand, I will only mention the answers that impacted me the most from memory, and not in the exact order.
- The main thing was to give the heart to Her in the Covenant of Love and everything else would come on its own
- Schoenstatt is life and it creates religious as well as human bonds
- Do not be afraid and trust that the Blessed Mother will always guide you
- Visit her often and take Her contributions to the Capital of Grace
- Foster the spirit of mission consciousness, and feel as instruments in her hand
- Stay united and develop the bonds as a family among yourselves
- Conquer more youth and make the Movement grow
- As Latins, cultivate affection and give your entire heart to Mary
- Be generous and radical in giving yourself, do not be mediocre or lukewarm
- Mary always takes us to Christ and with Him to the Father, allow yourself to be taken by Her.
Blessing of the picture for the future Shrine of Córdoba
Then, in the sacristy, he solemnly blessed the picture for the future Córdoba Shrine with holy water, and on the back he wrote in Latin: “MATER PERFECTAM HABEBIT CURAM ET VICTORIAM”, which translated means “Mother will take perfect care and be victorious” (Heavenwards, p. 178) and he signed his complete name: J. Kentenich.
This is the picture we presently venerate in the Shrine of Villa Warcalde in Córdoba.
Then, he also blessed and signed many pictures that we could give as gifts when we returned.
As we began to leave, we took several photos, and he gave us his blessing, accompanying us to the automobile. He remained by the door until we departed.
That encounter has marked my life and my vocation even to the present day.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA / Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
