Fr. José Melo. The news of the Original Shrine truly became an international phenomenon for the entire Schoenstatt Family. On 22 May, the news spread like wildfire via the Internet, e-mail, Facebook andmany other platforms. The joy began timidly, clouded by the doubt of whether the news was true, but little by little, “the shrine is ours” became a jubilant exclamation that united us.
We felt more deeply connected among ourselves and with the Original Shrine — a preview of the October 18,2014 spirit: From the Original Shrine, we are one internationally connected family that is united by the Covenant of Love, andwe embrace the same mission.
As a Schoenstatt Family, we experienced Cor Unum in Patre – one heart in the Father – and nowthis expression has expanded to what we could also describe as Cor Unum in Santuarium.
Our Lady chose the Schoenstatt Shrine as her favourite place to carry out her mission for our time
In fact, our Father and Founder’s heart beats in time with the strength of Mary’s presence in the Shrine. His faith in the event of October 18, 1914 marked his entire life because on that day, the Blessed Mother chose the Schoenstatt Shrine as her favourite place to carry out her mission for our time. And Schoenstatt lives from this faith!
“She transmitted her mission for our times to Schoenstatt as a place and the Schoenstatt Family.(JK, 1966)
The Original Shrine and the Schoenstatt Shrines around the world aren’t just chapels dedicated to Our Lady
The Original Shrine and the Schoenstatt Shrines around the world aren’t just chapels dedicated to Our Lady. In the Covenant of Love, Mary made herself present there, here she established her dwelling place, her throne of grace. This is the mystery from which Schoenstatt draws its life, and therefore, we don’t want to stop nurturing the fire borne from the Covenant of Love through our generous contributions to the Capital of Grace.
On 22 May, the Original Shrine became the living epicentre of the 2014 Jubilee
On 22 May, the Original Shrine became the living epicentre of the 2014 Jubilee, and the Blessed Mother challenges us to begin our pilgrim way. We are at the threshold of a jubilee year, celebrated throughout the world in different ways, but we are all led to the same place and the same moment: 18.10.2014 in the Original Shrine!
Fr. José Melo, National Movement Director, Portugal
Source: www.schoenstatt.pt
Free translation of one Fr. Kentenich quote
Translated from the Portuguese by Sarah-Leah Pimentel
