mda. Perhaps it was the soccer world championship that led to choosing the language: “the Original Shrine’s pastoral in the hands of a Brazilian,” the Brazilian webpage euphorically celebrated the July 2nd event, the day on which the German speaking countries celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of Mary (the world-wide Church celebrates it on May 31st). Father Antonio Bracht, from Brazil, took charge of the task of rector, during an afternoon celebration, which until now had been carried out by Father Michael Marmann.
On July 2nd, a beautiful atmosphere full of expectation reigned when little by little more than 100 people gathered around the Original Shrine. Claudia and Heirich Brehm from Vallendar prepared a celebration for Father Michael Marmann’s presentation of the task of rector to Father Antonio Bracht. “In several languages, with solos sung in different languages and a relaxed and interesting sequence, that was a long celebration, but it was never boring,” one of the participants related.
The responsibility that the keys of the Shrine imply
Father Heinrich Walter, President of the General Presidency, carried out the presentation of the keys to the Original Shrine, an external sign of the presentation of the retired rector’s task to the new one. He recalled the presentation of the keys by the provincial of the Pallottines on September 22, 2013, “But this gift is accompanied, above all, of a great responsibility,” Father Scharler said last year, to a small circle during the celebration. “With these keys we present the concern – the responsibility and the care – not of the building; but rather of the people who seek grace and strength from the faith in the Schoenstatt Movement in this place.”
“The eve (of September 22, 2013) was a festive act and the official presentation of the agreement taken on May 22nd, in the provincial session of the Pallottines to entrust Mary’s chapel to the Schoenstatt Movement on the one hundred years of its founding in 2014. The gift also includes the adjacent pilgrims’ square,” the Pallottines website reported at that time.
“The opportune man, at the opportune time, in the opportune place”
Father Michael Marmann’ performance could be described with many good words, as rector during these two long years, since the Original Shrine was presented to the Schoenstatt Movement for its use, on April 1, 2012. “Objective, complimentary and warm,” one participant described the breadth, serenity, sincerity, understanding and his disposition “this does him and his performance justice,” said the retired rector’s companion of the road. “He was the opportune man, at the opportune time, in the opportune place. He is a man who had accumulated experience in many different tasks; he has known how to wisely contribute them in this time of transition close to the Original Shrine.”
“The Original Shrine belongs to everyone and it is open to everyone”
At least this is said of Father Antonio Bracht – just as he begins his task precisely now. The article cited above on the national webpage of Brazil, opines the following of his task:
“The task of the rector of the Original Shrine is to take care that the Shrine fulfills its aim, that is, that the pilgrims are well received and that they can carry out their devotions there. In practice, it means to take care that Masses and confession are offered, that there is infra-structure for lodging and other services, coordinating everyone who works in the pastoral of the Shrine.”
He said, “I have accepted this task with much faith.” “I feel like an instrument, so that everyone can experience the Original Shrine – that belongs to everyone and that is open for everyone – may the life of the different places where Schoenstatt is developed be brought here and may the graces of origin flow over there, to fulfill the mission…” And he wants to work that the biblical dimension of the reality of the Shrine, as a Tabor, which he perceived is not as alive at the Original Shrine as in his native Brazil, will become more aware and fruitful for the pastoral of the Shrine.
Picnic in the shadow of the Original Shrine
After the celebration there was a large picnic in the pilgrims’ square – with a pleasant atmosphere, good weather and good food. And at the end, everyone helped to cleanup. And for those who want to cleanup figuratively, you will find information on the German webpage of the Schoenstatt Movement, the new rector said, and in the coming weeks you can do it directly at the Original Shrine: Father Christoph Horn will be close to the Shrine for several hours for confession and spiritual direction: daily from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
With material from www.maeperegrina.org.br and www.schoenstatt.de
Original: German – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX US
Fotos
 |
| July 6, 2014 |
