mkf. This January 18th, 2011, was celebrated with great joy with only forty-six Covenant Days until the great Covenant Day: {cms_selflink page=”k2014″ text=”October 18, 2014″}. Just like every 18th this one had its original charm, and just like every 18th, it also had its special blessing and grace. On our pilgrimage toward the great feast of graces that is the Centennial of the Covenant of Love, the Schoenstatters, who began the great pilgrimage toward 2014 on October 18, 2010, continue with a firm step knowing that throughout the world, we are walking together bonded in the same love and commitment. Supported by the same graces, praying the same pilgrimage prayer, inspired by the same desire: arriving at the Original Shrine, so that there, in union with our Founding Father, we will renew the Covenant of Love with its international network, dynamic power and missionary strength.
When streams become rivers…
This first year of intense preparation toward 2014 is experienced and celebrated as the {cms_selflink page=”Father-Current” text=”Year of the Father Current“}. The currents of life are not programs, or packages of study materials, or deeds, or conferences. They are not a couple of intentions of a local Family or a couple of desires. Currents flow, creating joy, a gleam in the eye, commitment or daring -one jumps into the water without thinking twice…Recently the newspapers, not only in Germany but also those from many other countries, have been constantly reporting about the floods and the overflowing of rivers and streams in the Koblenz area.
Even ducks and swans were found on the main route to Vallendar!! Schoenstatt was not affected, but these streams that usually run peacefully murmuring by our place of grace had two or three times as much water as usual. The affect could be heard -with a strong clamor – and seen: with whirlpools and a strong current that carried everything in its path. Is this a symbolic anticipation of what we can expect during these years of the triennium?
A little more water…
A little more water will convert some small streams into strong currents…
A little more desire for Father is enough, a little more affection for him: some testimonies, photos, attachments, statues, corners, petitions and many more spiritual sons and daughters who will make Father’s charism and mission their own. So that what if a stream today will be transformed into a river or a vast ocean…that will take us to the ends of the world with the Schoenstatt message and graces, and that will inspire us to go on pilgrimage with joy and a growing strength toward the great covenant celebration!
“We ask you with every step of our pilgrimage: awaken in us again the fire of love for you, for the Family and for Father Kentenich.”
A little more of this fire
In spite of the cold and the typical darkness of a German January – a little of this fire could be felt today around the Original Shrine, where, as usual, the 18th began with Mass in the Original Shrine.
From Puerto Montt
Monday four girls from Puerto Montt, Chile arrived; they belong to the same group of life as the Girls’ Youth, who are in Germany as exchange students and they wanted to spend the 18th at Schoenstatt! For the youth who are here for “Time in Schoenstatt” it was also their first 18th around the Original Shrine. They introduced themselves with the song -“Mary of the Covenant” – for the renewal of the Covenant. What a surprise when they realized that half of those present sang with them!
The decision of the 20th of January
Like every 18th, the Covenant Mass was celebrated at 7:30 p.m. in the Pilgrims’ Church; the General Council of the Institute of Diocesan Priests by and all the Priests from the Province of Zion con-celebrated, Sister; Sister Tabea accompanied the songs by playing the organ. It was truly a festive moment! Father Elmar Busse spoke about Father Kentenich at the moment of his great decision of January 20th, giving his all for his Family and for his mission encouraging us to follow him in the decisions that compete with our mission, our commitment, our covenant life in the present time.
In spite of the drizzle, everyone went to the Original Shrine, where we prayed the Pilgrimage Prayer 2014, and we united ourselves to everyone in the Shrines, wayside shrine home shrines, and we implored for everyone who has entrusted themselves to our prayers in the Original Shrine, then we renewed the Covenant of Love.
> Video: Mass in the Original Shrine, January 18th
> {cms_selflink page=”my-kentenich” text=”Father Current: Read what Father Kentenich means to others, and share your personal testimony”}
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
