Posted On 2013-08-27 In Original Shrine

Eucharist, music, cultural exchange, pilgrimages and more around the Original Shrine

mev. On August 17th and 18th, those at Schoenstatt experienced a very active weekend with: Eucharistic Celebrations, music, cultural exchange, pilgrimages and more were carried out around the Original Shrine.

 

 

In Covenant with the Institute of Families

The Holy Masses “toward 2014” continue to take place every Saturday at 7:15 a.m. Beginning with the first weekend of August, the Covenant will be celebrated with the different Schoenstatt communities. On the first Saturday of the month, the Mass in covenant was celebrated with all the Schoenstatt Institutes and on August 10th, it was celebrated with the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, Father Peter Locher was the celebrant with the General Council and many Sisters attending.

Saturday, the 17th, it was the Family Institute’s turn. The Neiser Family -Superiors of the Institute – along with several families from Germany and a course of novice couples from the Czech Republic were in charge of preparing the Mass. The main celebrant was Father Marcel Mouras – Spiritual Assistant of the Community. The celebration was marked by an international atmosphere expressed in different languages in the songs, the readings, the petitons and the 2014 Pilgrimage Prayer.

Upon placing the more than forty pages of petitions in the jar, Father Marcel especially mentioned everyone who sends their prayers to the Original Shrine week by week. – VIDEO

On Saturday, August 24th, the Mass “toward 2014” was in Covenant with the Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt.

International Festival

Many pilgrims arrived between Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon to participate in the International Festival that is organized every year at the Pilgrims’ Center. The program was filled with music, dances, international cuisine, and much color.

Among the most outstanding presentations appreciated were the folkloric dances from several countries such as Mexico, Paraguay, the Philippines and India. Members of a cultural dance school in Koblenz also delighted the participants with their percussion instruments.

Paradise for Children

One of the afternoon programs was the blessing of the playground for children “Paradise for Children close to House Sonnenau.” “It is providential that the Gospel of today reminds us of Jesus’ special affection for children,” Father Franz Wiedmaier said, at the beginning of the blessing ceremony. Then he told the children that the love of God is present in their parents, grandparents, and relatives.

“Now I am going to bless this place, but also all those who come here to play and those who accompany them: parents, grandparents…” Father Wiedmaier said, and then he blessed the playground equipment – and the children – with holy water. One of the young participants cut the ribbon that closed the entrance to the park and in this way it was officially inaugurated. The children did not waste a single minute and they began to play.

Closed with a flourish

The weekend ended with a flourish on Sunday night with Mass and the renewal of the Covenant.

The Mass was prepared by Course 27 of the Family Federation in Germany. Father Michael Hagan – the Spiritual Assistant of the Federation in Germany – celebrated the Eucharist, which had the special presence of the Auxiliary Pilgrim MTA for Europe.

“Today’s Gospel immediately made me think about Pope Francis and the words he addressed to the youths at World Youth Day in Rio: ‘Your young hearts want to build a better world…Young people in the streets. It is the young who want to be protagonists of change. Please, don’t leave it to others to be protagonists of change. You are the ones who hold the future! You…Through you the future is fulfilled in the world. I ask you also to be protagonists of this transformation. Dear young people, please don’t be observers of life, but get involved. Jesus did not remain an observer, but he immersed himself. Don’t be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did.’ (Vatican website, World Youth Day, July 27, 2013). Dear brother, dear sisters, Pope Francis took some of Jesus’ fire to Brazil, and tonight we could meditate about this fire in our heart.”

After the Mass everyone went to the Shrine. The procession was led by the Auxiliary MTA along with flags from several countries. After the renewal of the Covenant of Love in the Shrine, everyone approached the bonfire to witness the presentation of the Capital of Grace of so many people. The evening was extended, and the different groups that were present were able to participate with a song in their own language.

VIDEO

Translation: Celina M. Garza San Antonio, Tx. USA

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