DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Sr. Marissel. The Schoenstatt Girl’s Youth joyfully held its national celebration on August 15th. The main reason for the celebration was to announce the ideal, the flag and the hymn, which will identify them as Girl’s Youth of the Dominican Republic.
The Girl’s Youth prepared throughout the year for the great event; they were also celebrating the 37th Anniversary of the Crowning of the Queen in the Shrine. All the leaders worked very hard to accomplish this goal.
Blessed Mother, receive the crown
The festival began at 10:00 a.m. with an opening prayer at the Father Joseph Kentenich memorial. The youth fervently placed the festival in Father’s hands, and they invited him to celebrate with them. From there they went in procession to the Shrine carrying little flags, the crown, and the MTA…
When they arrived in the Shrine, they solemnly greeted Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. A member of the youth went to altar to crown the Queen once again, and at this moment they fervently prayed: «Blessed Mother receive the crown, Blessed Mother accept us as your living crown…»
While they sang the Crowning Hymn, the Queen was crowned again by the youth; there was warm applause and a joyful atmosphere.
The document of the national ideal was signed
After the coronation, the leaders went to the altar to sign the document explaining the national ideal of the Schoenstatt Girl’s Youth of the Dominican Republic.
The festival continued in the Movement’s arbor, where the youth had prepared everything; their ideal was covered because it was supposed to be the great surprise.
They began the presentation of the ideal with a brief summary of their history, narrating how the ideal was developed up to the present time.
When the narration of the history of the ideal was finished, the participants were invited to see a dance demonstrating their national ideal. The title of the dance was LIVING CROWN. Immediately after the dance, triumphant music broke forth, and other youth entered the hall wearing colored tunics carrying the crown in their hands. When they arrived at the front, they joined the other youth with the crown in the center and the entire Schoenstatt Girl’s Youth began to sing the hymn of their national ideal for the first time.
A heavenly sign
It was an impressive moment and more so when they reached the final part of the hymn. At that precise moment, the curtains were opened to uncover the great secret of their ideal, an explosion of balloons was heard…But the most impressive thing was along with the explosion of the balloons, loud thunder was heard at the same time. Everyone yelled with emotion, the applause and the exclamations continued, and heaven accompanied them at this triumphant moment for the youth: within ten seconds lightening struck very close to the place, but there was no damage, except for the upper part of a palm frond that caught fire. The trunk was cracked, but it did not fall…
The youth took this as a sign from heaven, for them heaven joined their celebration. One of them said: May this flame in the upper part of the palm tree mean that the Blessed Mother has burned all the obstacles that could interfere with the festival…it was sign of grace that accompanied them on this day.
Father’s living Crown for you
When the curtains were opened, everyone could see the Youth’s beautiful flag with all the words of the ideal: «Father’s living crown for you,» and the fine decorative work they prepared could also be seen. Of course, everyone joyfully congratulated the youth for their beautiful ideal…
The ceremony concluded at 12:00 p.m. noon followed by lunch.
The artistic presentations that each group had prepared began at 1:00 p.m. The Mary’s Apostles were also present. All the youth you had been active and done outstanding work during the year were recognized.
The Branch expressed their gratitude to the Sisters of Mary by presenting a souvenir to Sister M. Juana Colón, the Movement’s Advisor in the country, and to Sister M. Marissel, who is the advisor of the youth in the southern area.
Everyone enjoyed the youth’s art especially the parents of many of them who were present throughout the day.
Everyone congratulated the Girls Youth
The festival ended with the Holy Mass at 3:00 p.m. It was very well prepared by the youth; each area prepared a part of the Holy Mass, the songs, the readings, the offertory and all the rest…
Father Tony Marcelino was the celebrant, who joyfully spoke to the youth, and he congratulated them for their beautiful ideal…
At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, Marlyn Mañón H., the leader of the Girl’s Youth, expressed her gratitude to everyone who had collaborated with this festival.
After Holy Mass, everyone once again joyfully congratulated the youth.
The leaders of the youth and many other members of the Schoenstatt Family opined that this festival was a manifestation of the flourishing of a sacred springtime in the Domincan Republic’s Schoenstatt’s Girl’s Youth.
Translation: Celina Garza, Melissa Janknegt, USA
