mkf. The world-wide Schoenstatt Movement thanked Pope Benedict XVI for the confirmation of the upcoming beatification of Pope John Paul II, the great pilgrim in the footsteps of Christ at the turn of the century. This is how Father Heinrich Walter, Representative of the Schoenstatt General Presidium, details it today in a letter to Pope Benedict XVI. “His valor and his testimony have given courage to Christians in the world to be proud of being Christians and to assume their responsibility in the world.”
Father Heinrich Walter recalls in his letter John Paul II’s contribution “for fundamental values of the Christian man’s image for society,” and his commitment to the dignity and freedom of all persons. He forged history and “gave his personal profile to the Gospel even in the final hours of his suffering.”
Encounters
Father Heinrich Walter was especially grateful for the openness which the Pope (who died in 2005, after 27 years of his pontificate) had for the ecclesial movements and the new communities. The Schoenstatt Movement experienced this on various encounters with John Paul II, especially in the celebration of the Centennial marking the birth of Father Kentenich in 1985 and in September of 2004, on the occasion of the inauguration of the International Schoenstatt Center in Rome. This took place during an audience at Castel Gandolfo with the world-wide representatives of the Schoenstatt Movement.
Pilgrimage in the footsteps of Christ in the new millennium
Two aspects of great importance at the present for Schoenstatt in preparation for 2014, and on the pontificate of John Paul II who will be beatified on May 1st, Father Heinrich Walter emphasizes particularly in his letter: the time of pilgrimage and missionary commitment.
“On his countless trips, not only did he strengthen the identity of Christians in many countries, but the identity of entire peoples as well,” according to Father Heinrich Walter. “He was the great pilgrim in imitation of Christ in the new millennium. Through his own pilgrimage to the spiritual capitals of the world, he has elevated Marian Shrines to public awareness.”
In the sense of the New Evangelization – a profound restlessness of the new Blessed – the Schoenstatt Movement, in its preparation toward the 100 years of the Covenant of Love, strengthens by means of concrete apostolic projects its contribution in the area of marriage and family, youth, the Church and society. Father Heinrich Walter points out: “His beatification inspires all our initiatives for pastoral ministry.”
Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA 01192011
