Edgardo L. Rivera. From May 28th to June 1st, I had the blessing of traveling to the Original Shrine in Vallendar, Germany. We were welcomed at the Frankfurt airport by Father Stefan Schaaf, the co-founder and leader of the Schoenstatt Missionary Motorcyclists Club in Germany (MMCS the German acronym). He took us to Schoenstatt, where the Sisters of Mary joyfully welcomed us. The purpose of my visit to this beautiful place was to participate in the annual race that the missionary motorcyclists of Germany carry out. I was surprised that nobody had written something about this beautiful event for the international webpage. So here is my personal testimony about an experience that it is still very fresh, weeks from returning to my country, Puerto Rico.
Providentially, this year the pilgrimage was held on the weekend of the 31st of May. For me, the date was particularly special for three reasons: First, as a part of my process of conversion (after much time away from the Church), my first confession and communion were precisely on Saturday, the 31st of May 1997 in the Magnificat Shrine at Hatillo, Puerto Rico. Second, I am a co-founder and member of the 31st of May Groups in Puerto Rico. Finally, the 31st of May is the third milestone of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement.
During this visit, we had the opportunity to meet many beautiful people from Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and other Latin American countries. I also met Sister Margarita from Puerto Rico, who already knew me from the times when I visited the Shrine of Solidarity in Cabo Rojo with the missionary motorcyclists. Several of the Sisters indicated that they felt joy for my visit, because of the international sense that it gives the missionary motorcyclists. And that is my desire, that other MMCS groups be established in the countries where Schoenstatt exists.
Future plans
With the protection and the direction of our MTA, we have already begun planning our second trip to internationalize MMCS to visit South America countries: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.
Original in Spanish. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
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The editors`team
I am so blessed to be able to learn about this group.I am trying to get to Germany this Oct./2014 And My TMA just answer my prayers.I too am from P.R. and was invited to meet Her more than 25 years ago.Ella me acogio en su seno,me protegio,me ayudo a sobreponerme a las Perdidas de mis seres queridos pero s/t cuido y protegio a mis hijos cuando yo no tenia las furzas para hacerlo. Mi marido y mis hijos tb. tuvieron la oportunidad de hacer su Primera Comunion en Hatillo,GRACIAS a Eduardo y Gladys Gonzales de Carolina.P.R.A los catorce dias de enviudar tuve la oportunidad de ir a Milwakkee,donde mis Hijos y yo hizimos la Alianza un 18 de Abril de 1993.
Hoy dia estuve en una iglesia en Forest Park,Ga. donde hay Mater en la oficina y necesitada de encontrarla me dirigio para q. yo pueda cumplir la mision asignada. Son las tres de la madrugada de lunes 25/agosto/2014,sesenta antes del Centenario, su mensaje me ha llenado de esperanza de poder llegar a Alemania y participar
Gracias
It would be nice to see more pictures of it! 🙂