In covenant solidarity with Nicaragua, from Costa Rica, and all of Schoenstatt

NICARAGUA/COSTA RICA, Gonzalo Vega with Maria Fischer •

The situation in Nicaragua escalates, day by day. Fr. José Luis Correa has written to Schoenstatters, before the first Nicaraguans seal the Covenant of Love, to give them encouragement and courage in this situation.—

For several years, the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign has been present in Nicaragua. In April 2016, Fr. José Luis Correa and two couples from Costa Rica, Ronald and Giovanna Sauter and Gonzalo and Ileana Vega, were in Nicaragua for the first time. From this visit, and the continuous support of the Costa Rican Schoenstatt Family, two groups have been formed. Several couples from Costa Rica visit them regularly to collaborate with the founding process, just as they also do in Guatemala, Panama, and El Salvador. In Guatemala, there are three couples’ groups, two in El Salvador and in Panama, there is the Mothers’ Branch, Youth, and a Couples’ group.  The Campaign has been present for some time in all these countries, as well as in Honduras.

People who need our solidarity

Prayers for Nicaragua are very relevant and necessary…During the last two months, more than 200 young people have died, and there are more than 1,300 wounded by government forces of repression. The country is semi-paralyzed…

In this situation, the Schoenstatt Movement’s Nicaraguan brothers and sisters received a greeting of solidarity “from the Family of Hope Shrine, in San José, Costa Rica, the first Schoenstatt Shrine in Central America,” from Fr. José Luis Correa, Adviser of Schoenstatt in Central America “to express our spiritual closeness in these very tumultuous times that are afflicting your country.”

Queen of peace

The letter follows:

“We want to unite to the Nicaraguan episcopate in their involvement in the advancement for peace, to unite to the victims of violence and hate. That hate which produces the work of the devil, we want to react like the Gospel asks of us: with love and forgiveness; seeking just solutions, without revenge.

Several of you are preparing to seal the covenant of love with the Blessed Mother. Through the attachment to the Most Holy Virgin Mary we know that, in virtue of the strength of love, we must make an effort to be like her. For this, we tell you once and again:

Let us reflect your image
and walk through life entirely like you:
strong and noble, simple and kind,
spreading love and peace and joy.
In us go through our times
and make them ready for Christ.
Whether we are threatened by the world or the devil
or caught in the swirl of the tempest,
you will victoriously overcome every need
and grant us your unlimited power.
Your heart, our gateway to heaven,
will always remain our safe harbor.
We will never perish
as long as we faithfully remain your instruments.
You will help us at all times
to effectively bring forth abundant fruit. [1]

As Schoenstatters we know from experience that in great sorrows the Blessed Mother intercedes before her son, Jesus, and she comes to our aid in our needs. For this we will crown her as Queen of Peace.

As a preparation for the crowning, I invite you daily to pray a prayer composed by the Founder of Schoenstatt during World War I and in this way conquer the crown for the Blessed Mother:

Mother, with you Child from heaven,
descend upon Nicaragua`s plains,
so that in following your footsteps
it may find true and lasting peace
Mother and Child united in love—
through you alone can Nicaragua be healed.[2]

How about uniting from our shrines and wayside shrines in this prayer of solidarity?

[1] Fr. Joseph Kentenich, in Heavenwards, p. 163.

[2] Fr. Joseph Kentenich. Prayer composed during World War II. In: Heavenward, p. 173.

Original: Spanish. 1 July 2018. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA. Edited: Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, TX USA