Sandra Leticia Lezcano. Only two days since Father Kentenich’s birthday and one month since the Opening of the Triennium, and another Covenant Day was celebrated in Schoenstatt.
Covenant Days are special; they have their charm. Everything that happens on an 18th is important for any Schoenstatter.
Around the Original Shrine
Many always come to the Original Shrine to greet the Blessed Mother, pilgrims, people who live nearby, priests, and sisters.
Among the many people who arrived to the Shrine this 18th were two Paraguayan girls who have been participating in the Schoenstatt Zeit program; they decided to renew their Membership Consecration. Accompanied by Sister Isabel, Lucia and Solange sealed the rite of renewal.
Renewal of the Covenant
That night, the Covenant Mass was celebrated in the Pilgrims’ Church, and two courses of priests carrying out exercises in Schoenstatt were present. The Mass was presided by Father Otto Amberger, who welcomed the pilgrims in German, Spanish, and English. During his homily, he recalled the importance of the Holy Spirit, and he motivated everyone to continue on the pilgrimage toward 2014.
The Federation of Women and the five girls from Schoenstatt Zeit were in charge of the choir. Among the many priests, there were several Schoenstatt Provincial Superiors, who were meeting this week for their annual conference of major superiors.
Neither cold nor rain
It was a cold night with light rain, but this was not an obstacle for the procession to the Original Shrine. The jubilee prayer was already incorporated into the Covenant ceremony, as well as a song for Father Kentenich in German and Spanish: Father, your covenant, our mission, a spontaneous variation of the chorus from the 1992 jubilee hymn. Everyone already has the printed prayer and each day they are more attached to this current that will take us to the great jubilee of 2014.
After the Shrine, the burning of the capital of grace took place on the patio, a moment that is always very special, there are faces of excitement, and a large amount of capital of grace that never seemed to end. It is something incredible, but even the smallest jar is overflowing with a great deal of the capital of grace, letters, and notes of appreciation from the Blessed Mother’s children. The capital of grace is burned while music is sung around the bonfire that illuminates the faces and shelters the pilgrims with its warmth.
Every 18th reminds us of what it means to be a Schoenstatter
Every 18th is a celebration; it is a date that makes every Schoenstatter recall the personal history they have with the Blessed Mother and with Father Kentenich. And every 18th brings us closer to the 100th Anniversary of the work initiated by the Founding Father in 1914, who was convinced that Schoenstatt moves stronger each day in search of new men and women, and is aware that each one is an heir of this great mission, with a strong and single voice we say:
Your Covenant, our mission!
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio/ Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
