María Teresa Ramírez Canales, Chilean, from Santiago and manager of Nueva Patris: answers today •
Six months into the pilgrimage through the second century of the Covenant of Love…what is your dream for this Schoenstatt in who we are and where we find ourselves in the Church, in the world, and in our mission?
The truth is that my dream would be that the entire world would know the wonderful richness that exists in Schoenstatt.
After experiencing the Jubilee celebration, one remains on fire and with a full heart.
The first thing I feel is that hopefully this fire is not extinguished; I dream about a Schoenstatt that is integrated in the world, in society, and above all in the person who spiritually needs it the most.
I believe that we, as Schoenstatters, have much to give the world. Over the years, we have received knowledge in many aspects: Father and the good Shepherd’s example, pedagogy, Marian spirituality, how to live out the sanctity of our marriages, etc.
To share our Covenant, our charism, and to stop gazing at our navels. To go out of our exclusiveness and comfort.
I firmly believe that each Schoenstatter has much to offer the world, that he/she is called to set the lives of others on fire with their own life.
In order to fulfill this dream, what do we need to avoid or leave behind?
I believe that the first thing we have to do is to go out from our warm and comfortable world.
To integrate ourselves in the Church and to contribute what we can.
To place ourselves in the Blessed Mother’s hands and to reinforce the grace of apostolic zeal from the shrine.
We must avoid falling asleep and not to allow the routine of this time to ensnare us.
In order to fulfill this dream, what practical steps do we have to take?
Seek out the road and proceed.
To carry our Covenant of Love and filial trust in our Father and Founder as a banner.
To trust ourselves, in our abilities and to go out to the Church.
To seek what we most enjoy doing and to carry it out with enthusiasm, joy and great faith.
As for me personally, I have always liked to work with couples. I did it first with my husband where we live, working with groups of couples and making the Movement known. Much later, the Santuario del Valle de María [Shrine of Mary’s Valley] emerged from this in Buin, Chile.
Now we are placing our bet on a project that began in Chile last year, which is the “Fortalecimiento matrimonial.” [Marriage Enrichment]. It gives couples a salve for their married life, to break the routine that affects us so much. We have wanted this to be open to the Church. To contribute from what we have received for years.
I believe that we should only place ourselves in Father’s hands and to advance with great faith.
