Sr. María Julia Agüero. “I have lived in Cologne for seventeen years, and I did not know that this existed here! I am very happy! I will return!” one pilgrim from the Spanish Mission group expressed. Although the weather was rainy, the faces of the pilgrims radiated much joy. About 120 pilgrims arrived at the Original Shrine on March 21st. They came from parishes, the Spanish Mission, and Cologne’s Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign, Bonn, Frankfort, and Heidelberg…
Many came for the first time, and they experienced a home in the Shrine. They were amazed to see that this Movement is so large, it has so many branches, and that it is international. Throughout the day they heard more about Schoenstatt, and although there was still much, much more to know, it was a good excuse to say “until next time.”
The families and groups began to arrive at 10:00 a.m. The children had a place for games, where they could make crafts, and they could creatively express what they learned about the Shrine and the Blessed Mother through drawings and paintings.
Praying for the countries that are experiencing great difficulties and suffering
After an introduction and presentation at Pilgerheim, they went in procession to the Pilgrims’ Church where Father Ángel Strada from Argentina, Father Pablo Pelaez from Ecuador, and Father Oscar from Mexico celebrated the Mass, accompanied with guitar and songs in Spanish. They prayed for their countries of origin (Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, Colombia, Germany, USA, Chile), and especially for the countries that are experiencing great difficulties and suffering.
An important moment was a time of prayer in the Original Shrine, where they could write their intentions, petitions, and spiritual offerings that they had brought, and there the families and each pilgrim received a personal blessing in Spanish given by Father Egon.
During the final prayer and sacramental benediction, a sacred atmosphere of prayer was experienced, which concluded with the new missionary commissioning for the Campaign. The Blessed Mother continues to attract her children from all over the entire world to her Shrine! And through the Pilgrim MTA, she accompanies them to their homes!
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA /Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
