mkf. Only fifty-seven Covenant days until October 18, 2014! In spite of the snow, the cold and ice, this 18th at the beginning of Lent was a beautiful day thanks to the sun coming out which gave a special gleam to this Covenant day. Like every 18th -anticipating spiritually many people came to the Original Shrine spiritually, virtually, and also physically.
Among them were: the Institute of Families superior couples along with the couples from the General Council – from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico, United States, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, the Schoenstatt Fathers’ seminarians from South America (one of them, Claudio Martínez, commented: “After reading the stories of the Covenant Day in Schoenstatt so often, I am finally here!”), Girls’ Youth from Chile, Family Federation couples from Germany and – as a complete surprise – the presence of Alan Cabello, from Mexico, who is currently doing post-graduate studies in Lausanne, Switzerland. He especially came to Schoenstatt to be here on the 18th: “Sister, during the entire last year, my only contact with Schoenstatt was the Covenant Greetings, schoenstatt.de, and the translations that I did,” he said on his way to the Pilgrims’ Church. “What a privilege to be here in Schoenstatt again for the fourth time it is something incredible!” His petitions to the MTA in the Original Shrine were through some Schoenstatt contact in Lausanne – and next year, after graduating, an internship somewhere in Germany preferably in the car industry as an engineer…
Father’s Pilgrim MTA
In the morning, a Holy Mass was celebrated in the Original Shrine in the presence of Father’s Pilgrim MTA – the Pilgrim MTA that John Pozzobon gave Father Kentenich in 1968 and that is now at House Marienau – for many years, the same house that kept the Father Symbol, which was the Founder’s gift to the Original Shrine now on its worldwide pilgrimage of inviting Father’s entire family to unite and to prepare for the great jubilee of the Covenant of Love.
The magic of each 18th
During the evening Mass at the Pilgrims’ Church, Father Marcel Mouras, the spiritual assistant of the Institute of Families, spoke about the magic of each 18th, but especially the 18th at the Original Shrine, the source from which Schoenstatt life completely irrupted on all the continents. How many covenant stories could be told on a day such as this, how many moments of faith, of giving of self, of commitment are found deposited in the jar in the Original Shrine – the jar that a few days ago received all the letters with contributions to the capital of grace that arrived along with the Father Symbol from Puerto Rico! How many stories could be told by the superiors of the Institute, by Father Alejandro Martinez on his return from the Congo, and by all the people who have experienced beautiful moments such as: Mary’s Crusade, the arrival of the Father Symbol, the Institute of Families’ workshop in Mendoza? “But I am not going to continue talking about it,” said Father Marcel, smiling. “It is all on schoenstatt.de, where we find all these stories.” He left us with a beautiful inspiration by recalling the large commemorative plaque in the Original Shrine with the names of the sodalists. “We could the write the names of many people on the walls of the Shrine, who have lived the Covenant of Love with us and for us every 18th”. (Spiritually of course).
After Mass accompanied by songs sung by the superiors of the Institute of Families’ choir, everyone went to the Original Shrine to the tune of “Caminando en la Alianza” (Walking in the Covenant) where Father Marcel Mouras prayed to the Blessed Mother – in Spanish – expressing gratitude for everything that She has given us from this small Shrine. Then he invited everyone to renew the Covenant of Love in his or her own language.
After burning the papers with the capital of grace in the bonfire that was already lighted, he invited everyone to the Families’ House for hot tea and an encounter with the superiors.
2014wards
The encounter among the members of Team 2014 with the superiors on the eve of February 18th was already a preparation for the celebration of that great day because of its clear message: the large pilgrimage to the Original Shrine, which will unite everyone, has already begun. All involved are on the way beginning with the participants and the volunteers of Conference 2014, who had the privilege of being present during those days of grace and are now inviting everyone to unite so that everyone can arrive at the Original Shrine and Rome in 2014 as protagonists of the jubilee to celebrate the centennial of the Covenant of Love together. In addition then, it will enable those participating to be sent forth in the strength of this Covenant into the second century of Schoenstatt and the Schoenstatt Family in order to create and to promote a covenant culture in every sphere of life.
Video of the Holy Mass, February 18, 2010: www.schoenstatt-tv.de
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA / Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
