COSTA RICA, Michelle Ramirez and Rudolf Sauter. In an atmosphere of the “Shrine”…the three hour vigil by the eleven participating countries…”flew by” in the Movement House Homeshrine in Costa Rica, on the night of November 1, 2013. The spirituality that was generated by all the participants and presenters of the Congress of Schoenstatt Businessmen and Executives (CIEES) was wonderful!
The Movement’s Headquarters was filled with prayer and songs as a prayer to God and the Blessed Mother, in one heart, for good results of the Congress and for safe arrival from Chile, Spain, Switzerland, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, the United States, Paraguay, Brazil and Ecuador.
A book named “The Pilgrim”
At the entrance of the Homeshrine and as part of the welcome to the vigil, there was a very special book entitled, “The Pilgrim,” providing the participants an opportunity to write down their wishes, desires and expectations. Once the Congress is over, this book, which is an “inheritance” of the Costa Rican Family, will go on pilgrimage to the next country hosting the “CIEES” and it will continue a stream of life and of graces!
Then there were very touching moments when the ladies, couples, youths and some children lit a candle and went on pilgrimage toward the Homeshrine and placing their candle on the altar at the side of the Pilgrim Saint Joseph and the flags of each participating country. They prayed with great devotion for blessings, and they offered many contributions to the Capital of Grace for the executives, businessmen, businesses and for the travelers.
The prayer of the rosary with meditations and petitions carried the hearts of the participants, producing transforming effects that brought hope for many good signs in the creative results of the congress.
Each business on a balloon
The highlight was at the closing of the vigil, at approximately 11:00 p.m., when every couple, the ladies, youths and children formed a unity circle and offered the contributions to the Capital of Grace.
The contributions to the Capital of Grace were symbolically sent to heaven in the form of colored balloons with lights. Each balloon was inscribed with the name of every business, and on the count of three…the balloons were released and the participants experienced moments of great enthusiasm, joy, rejoicing and applause! The balloons were borne very high until they were lost in the darkness of the horizon…bearing them into the hands of God the Father.
Editor’s note:
Meanwhile the Congress has ended. There will be article(s). But it can be said: it was a success and a milestone on the jubilee road toward Schoenstatt’s second century. Thank you, Costa Rican Family.
Original: Spanish – Translation Celina M. Garza San Antonio, TX USA
