Posted On 2015-06-26 In Second Century of the Covenant

Three questions…about Schoenstatt of the second century of the Covenant of Love (28)

Today`s answer comes from Joe Yank, a member of, Victorious Living Nazareth, the second Family Federation course of the Northern United States with his wife, Judy and three children, Sr. M. Faustina, Gabrielle and Thomas; they are our MTA’s Star of the Sea – Hope of the Future living/home shrine •

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?

I dream of a world that is filled with Shrines of our dear Mother and Queen, many, many shrines, filial, home, wayside and pilgrim shrines, but most importantly heart shrines. Our Schoenstatt Shrines yes, but then in the shadow many, many shrines where our Mother can bring her Son to each and every family created by our loving Heavenly Father. Created as living shrines, many living shrines, heart shrines of the Triune God. This is her way to evangelize the peripheries.

In order to fulfill this dream, what do we need to avoid or leave behind?

We have to come to know in the depth of our hearts that we live in the Shrine wherever we are. The Original Shrine is important in that our MTA began her mission there, and it will always be the primary residence of all Schoenstatt’s children. Our 100-year Jubilee celebration was of great importance to help us to know that. Now we can put behind the grandiose celebrations, not in the sense of forgetting, but because she has wished to extend herself throughout the world in many filial, home, living shrines and pilgrim shrines. The great capital of graces is now flourishing in many branch banks (shrines) throughout the world, not just the main branch, although we know all graces flow from there, and we can deposit and withdraw at will, wherever we are, whatever our need may be. If we look around us now, we know that we are living in Dachau; we are in Exile with our Father and Founder. He did not leave us alone. We must leave behind the notion that he died and was released from this earth, and realize that he walks with us at every turn in the road guiding us on the way of the Father’s providential love. We can walk like he did with our hand on the pulse of the times and our ear to the heart of God.

In order to fulfill this dream, what practical steps do we have to take?

A few words from Fr. Kentenich to us: “It consists in this: that in spite of difficulties, we always look for and find our way to each other.” And he prays, “O my God, grant that all minds be united in truth and all hearts in love.” If we live these words in our daily lives, we will be on the way to building a covenant culture for the third millennium.

Each one of us is an integral part of the great family that our founder freely suffered for and foresaw in his Candlemas vision on his way into Dachau. We are the ones that he calls, “do you go along …?” We are the little ones he rejoices in as the miracle of the holy night unfolds. Let’s live our ideal!

I firmly believe that no one who lives the covenant of love in loyalty will be lost.” MPHC-EV

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