mkf. The torch of Jubilee 2014 – one of the one hundred torches lighted in the opening of the triennium toward 2014 on October 17, 2010, is burning in Panama. On his fist visit to the Original Shrine at the beginning of May, Father Rómulo Aguilar, along with pilgrims from Panama, joined the large pilgrimage toward the centenary of the Covenant of Love on behalf of the Schoenstatt Family from his country.
Echoes of a special pilgrimage
“Of course I still have echoes of that visit to Schoenstatt with my group from Panama, and today, May 18th, we have commented about it in Masses we have celebrated with two groups of Schoenstatt ladies.
We are experiencing a breath of fresh air in Schoenstatt for our country, they expressed gratitude to the Blessed Mother for the graces she has given us through this visit to the Original Shrine, and for the welcome that Sister Maria Julia, Sister Kornelia and Father Egon gave us. I inform you, that although there were people among us – in the group that visited Schoenstatt – who do not share the Schoenstatt spirituality, they were very impressed and attracted by the welcome we were given”.
From Rome to Schoenstatt
Father Rómulo learned about Schoenstatt in the decade of the nineties through an encounter with Father Esteban Uriburu during one of his visits to Panama where he spread the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. When Father Esteban perceived Father Rómulo’s closeness to Schoenstatt, he invited him to Buenos Aires so that he could learn about the Campaign “in depth”. This visit took place when Father Esteban was already very ill: “He asked Monina Crivelli, his “right hand”, to organize this visit for me, so that I could experience everything I needed to know about the spirit of the Campaign in order to carry it out in my country”, Father Rómulo commented. “I still remember all the details of that visit, it was a profound experience which marked my life”.
Now, Father Rómulo participated in the beatification of John Paul II in Rome, along with a group of pilgrims from Panama: “I asked the travel agency to organize our pilgrimage to Poland taking a route via Schoenstatt”, he added.
Upon their arrival in the afternoon, they visited the Original Shrine, and then they celebrated Holy Mass in the Adoration Church. Then they prayed, with profound emotion, at Father’s tomb, before returning to their hotel in Koblenz, eagerly awaiting Mass at the Original Shrine on the following morning, before continuing their trip to Poland.
A touching encounter with the Third International Auxiliary
They were greatly disappointed the next day, when upon their arrival to Schoenstatt, they discovered that as a result of a misunderstanding the Original Shrine was being cleaned…therefore, it was impossible to celebrate the Mass.
On the way to the Shrine of Marienau, an idea emerged: let us obtain the International Auxiliary from Sister Kornelia’s office, this Auxiliary is very closely attached to Father Esteban Uriburu, and it was blessed by Blessed John Paul II in 1987. Along with the Auxiliary, Father Rómulo and two missionaries of the Campaign received a Pilgrim MTA that had been with Father Esteban and the torch of Jubilee 2014. The two missionaries took the Auxiliary to the Shrine of Marienau where everyone gave it the welcome of the queen that She is – with applause, waving their little flags from Panama, kissing her, taking photos…In the homily, Father Rómulo shared all the Schoenstatt history of Panama, while Father Esteban’s small Pilgrim MTA went on pilgrimage from hand to hand…
After the group photos with the Auxiliary and a final greeting to the Original Shrine, the pilgrims from Panama continued on their trip…to the shout of: We will see you in 2014!
This week they were visited by Male Vilches, collaborator of the communication team 2014, from Ecuador, helping them form the new mothers’ and couples’ groups in Panama and to transmit “live” everything about the preparation for 2014.
Photos
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA
