Jorgelina Jordá. This Sunday, after enjoying four days discovering the roots and life of Schoenstatt, the second group of Boys’ Youth from Rome bid farewell to the Original Shrine. Fabrizio Usai, the leader of the Boys’ Youth in Rome, told us that the three proposed objectives had been fulfilled: to begin a Lenten retreat, to know the place where Schoenstatt was founded, and lastly, the great gift of having found the name of the group which will seal its Covenant of Love in June: Piero, Federico and Eugenio.
Living witnesses of the foundation
What they enjoyed most were the talks by living witnesses of the foundation. These were from Father Angel Strada, Father Rudolf Mosbach and Father Bodo Erhard. Piero commented that he felt stricken by their faith…..they appeared so enthusiastic and youthful as if they had just begun yesterday and as if they wanted to do it all over again. “The simplicity, the enthusiasm, the family atmosphere which embraced them was such that it made them seem as if they had been friends for years,” adds Gian Francesco in reference to the priests.
Eugenio was able to experience the true faith, that which is transmitted by life itself. He was very happy since this time had been a time for recharging fidelity, strength and courage for the mission to which one has been called. Federico is the one who found a sense of permanency in the place.
Fabrizio Usai, leader of the Boys’ Youth, expressed his joy in accompanying the group in this very important time, placing them in front of something great and guiding them in their group mission which was officially sealed as ‘ECQUITES URBIS VOCATI MARIAE” which translated would be “Knights of Rome Called by Mary.”
A growing Family
In referring to the process of foundation for the Schoenstatt Family in Italy, they were very positive: “We are growing.” “It is a privilege we have,” says Fabrizio upon explaining that usually in Rome they receive many visits of priests from Schoenstatt either because of studies or for work reasons like the case of Father José Luis Correa who is helping with the organization of the Year for Priests. In addition, they have the gift of having two Shrines “Cor Ecclesiae” which belongs to the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary and the International Shrine “Mater Ecclesiae.”
The history of the Movement in Rome is very special, say the young men: “The Blessed Mother moved in first and then the Schoenstatt Family came forth.
The reality is that for many decades, the Schoenstatters who traveled to Rome knew that there was no Movement in Rome.
But at the present, in spite of being small and growing, the Family is enthusiastic about connecting with and embracing the pilgrims who come from afar.”
To give Schoenstatt to the Church
Father Ludovico Tedeshi, called by the youths as adviser, founder, director and spiritual guide, explains that the basic mission of the Family in Rome is to take Father’s charisma to the Church.
The parish which is in the care of the Schoenstatt Fathers in Italy is “St. Francis and St. Catherine.” The parish is offering courses for the education of the children and retreats to strengthen marriages. “We must keep in mind that what is strong is the Rosary Campaign and we are trying to unite it to the branches of the family,” comments Father Ludovico. In Italy, there are more than ten thousand families who receive the Pilgrim MTA and there are more than eight hundred coordinators who will have their regional congress in Sicily on April 18th and in Tuscany on May 8th.
The youths were able to visit and enjoy all of Schoenstatt and, of course, they were present in the Press Office visiting Sr. Kornelia. They also attended the Palm Sunday Mass and were greeted in the beginning by Father Franz Widmaier, Director of the Pilgrims’ Center. After some beautiful days, Schoenstatt bids farewell to the Knights of Rome with a slight rain and wishing them beautiful blessings for their great task of founding and for attaching themselves with the Queen.
