mkf. It is already noticeable at the Frankfurt airport. Among those waiting for the flight to Rome on Tuesday, June 8th, there is a spontaneous international meeting of priests. “At least if the plane crashes, we have a priestly blessing,” said an older woman, who was visibly anxious about making her first flight. There was laughter, and then quietly a blessing for the trip by a young priest. In Rome at the international Fiumicino airport, a large poster greeted the priests who arrived. Yes, it is noticeable. It is the last week of the Year for Priests, and the Eternal City has prepared for what will be the largest meeting of priests in history.
Sister Thomasine Treese, who is not there to welcome the Schoenstatters who are arriving from Frankfurt, but rather to pick up some people coming from Switzerland, waves a Schoenstatt handkerchief in the midst of the uproar at the airport. She was excited about the unexpected encounter. Yes, she affirms, it is the largest international meeting of priests in history…
Rome’s trains and buses definitely confirm the truth of what Zenit and many other news agencies and newspapers have been reporting for days: the largest meeting of priests for all time has begun. More that 10,000 priests are expected from all over the world. They have come here to celebrate and renew the priesthood of the Church and their own priesthood on Thursday and Friday, along with the Holy Father. It is gift and a task for them all.
“Priests today”- final preparations
In the midst of all this gathering and on this particular afternoon at the Paul VI Hall, there was a conference of “Priests Today”, organized by the Focolare and Schoenstatt Movements’ priests along with other religious communities.
While at St. Peter’s in the Paul VI Hall, the General Audience attracts thousands of people; the afternoon program is rehearsed. Under the hot sun, Bishop Ignacio Sanna, Archbishop of Orestano, Italy, a member of the Schoenstatt Institute for Diocesan Priests, is already prepared and willing to give a spontaneous interview on the steps. “I have just finished my conference. He worried that it was too long, you know, the allotted time always causes headaches, but everything went well.” He was happy that of the 9,000 priests who had already arrived in Rome, about 3,000 participated in the program this afternoon. “This is truly a joy and a great step for Schoenstatt in Rome.”
Father Michael Marmann and Father Heinrich Walter are taking care of the final details, Father Georg Egle, rector of the Shrine of Belmonte, greeted the brothers of the Focolare Movement. “It is true that it was Schoenstatt’s idea to have this meeting, concretely that of Father Heinrich Walter, but the most of the major preparation was made by Focolare,” he commented. “I am happy, very happy with this joint work, we could not have dreamed of developing something so big alone.” He was very grateful for the work of Father José Luis Correa, who has been in Rome much of last year taking charge of the “Year for Priest”. “Schoenstatt could do a lot,” said Father Georg Egle. Now there were 300 Schoenstatt priests and friends of the Movement who participated. “But, of course, it is beautiful to see that the Focolares moved about a thousand priests!” Many of the priests of the Focolare Movement have already been at Belmonte to visit the international Schoenstatt Center in Rome.
To participate “live” from afar
It will be possible to participate in this conference from any corner of the world via satellite, television, or Internet. The texts of the conference were translated into fifteen languages to help the television stations, viewers, and places where this event will be followed. The text of this conference can be downloaded at the following web page beginning at noon (Rome time) on Tuesday, June 8th.
Translation: Celina Garza, Melissa Janknegt, USA
