AUSTRALIA, Guilherme Dias. My name is Guilherme Dias. I am 26 years old. I belong to the Schoenstatt Boy’s Youth Group in Brazil since 2006. Now I am married to Barbara Lunardelli who also belonged to the Schoenstatt Girls Youth Group in Brazil. In May this year we departed on a long journey from Brazil to live in Perth, Western Australia, where there is also a Schoenstatt Shrine.
We chose this city because it has a Shrine. We wanted to continue living in the Covenant and, close to our Mother Thrice Admirable, manage being away from our family and friends as we begin our new lives together. We were aware that this move would not be easy, however we also recognize that Our Mother has prepared many graces for us here.
We feel that the Blessed Mother has prepared a mission here for us
It takes us around 40 minutes drive by car or an hour on trains and buses to arrive at the Mt Richon Shrine, southwest of Perth. The place is nestled near a national park and is situated in natural bushland and garden. It is something special to have Kangaroos come to the property in the vicinity of the Shrine and the garden. The Schoenstatt Movement here is organized in branches, but some branches still need to develop and both Barbara and I do feel that our Mother Thrice Admirable has prepared a Mission for us here, but we don’t understand as yet what she expects of us. The Schoenstatt Movement members here are very happy and active, however we have noticed that the Perth Shrine needs to reach more young people. And so we are trying our best to be part of the activities in the Movement and at the same time, in the Perth Diocese through CYM Perth – Catholic Youth Ministry Perth, to help build a bridge that connects the Shrine with the youth of the Perth Archdiocese.
Visiting the Shrine in Brasilia
An interesting episode was that, shortly after we arrived, one of the Sisters asked us to find a way to allow the Perth Diocesan WYD Rio Group to visit the Shrine of Rio de Janeiro, during WYD 2013. We made contact with our brother from the Male Youth of Londrina and Fr. Alfonso for their help and advice. They explained how the Perth pilgrims could get to the Shrine, but told us that it wouldn’t be easy as they didn’t know their program or where they were accommodated. It so happened that I was invited to speak at a CYM Wednesday Holy Hour the evening before the pilgrims were to fly to Rio. Many of the pilgrims that night were there, and when I shared with them a little about Schoenstatt in Brazil and that there are several Shrines throughout the country just like the one in Perth, many of them, who had never been to a Shrine, were inspired and hoped they could fit a Shrine visit into their program during WYD week. They were open for our Mother to bring them to a Shrine in Brazil, given the opportunity! On their return the entire Perth Group along with Bishop Timothy Costello actually did make a surprise, unplanned trip to the Shrine in Brasilia. Now on their return they can easily be led back to the Shrine here, even if it is just to make sure that all our Shrines do look the same. From there, our Mother can keep working on their hearts through the Shrine pilgrim graces.
We are here on mission
Another key factor to our life in the Covenant here has been conquering our Home Shrine. Special friends have given us each one of the symbols that are part of our Home Shrine, having been given them from Shrines all over the world. Here where we live in East Perth, Barbara and I will conquer it and bring it with us anywhere our Mother needs us. And from now on, we are left in our Mother’s hands, so she can operate in us and through us for all that God has planned. We are here on Mission!
Nos alegramos demais com o que acabamos de ler, e principalmente por vocês viverem essa missão que foi confiada, tenho certeza que a nossa Mãe está muito feliz com esses seus filhos, e nós também estamos!
Estaremos sempre unidos a vocês, e vamos sempre colocá-los em nossas orações!
Que Deus e nossa Mãe continue abençoando vocês!
Espiritualmente unidos sempre!