A cloudy sky, rain threatening all day: We were concerned as we kept viewing the skies over Schoenstatt (and listening to weather forecasts) on May 31st. Some special heavenly intercessors were intensively approached. Then, after the deep, joyful celebration in the Adoration Church, the big surprise: a brilliant sunny evening, blue skies, and crisp air. Thank you!

That afternoon, a number of volunteers from various communities prepared the inner court of Bundesheim (Covenant Home) for the fest. The maintenance man for the Bundesheim had postponed his vacation so he could help set up for the celebration. Under his guidance, tables were set, 400 chairs cleaned and arranged, a little tent built up. Ladies of Schoenstatt and Schoenstatt sisters brought candy, chips, juice bottles to the tables. Families from the Federation and youth from Vallendar got electricity started and checked the telephone for the planned call to Chile. Some brought print-outs from the Internet with the latest pictures from Chile and Schoenstatt. Men carried containers with bottles and set stands for flags ...etc.

Soon before 8:00 pm, a bus drove from the Adoration Church to the Bundesheim and on to the Original Shrine; some came by car (parking lot was crammed), most people preferred to walk downhill. Drivers beeped their horns when a person carrying a flag was passed by.

Some of the young people from the Schoenstatt family in Vallendar provided music. We had booklets with well known songs, several of them in many languages, so many could join the singing. The Gerber family (Federation) welcomed all those who came. Herr Gerber said a special welcome to the pilgrimage from England, who had been on the bus the whole day and had made it to this fest on their first day in Schoenstatt.

500 or so people from Mexico, England, South Africa, Burundi, Philippines, USA, Ukraine, White Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, India, Congo, Germany, Ecuador, etc., gathered as one International Schoenstatt Family. "I really experienced how International Schoenstatt could be from this evening. I took a program to show my family because today is our wedding anniversary." shared a woman from England. A student from India talked with some people from England. "It was a good experience on both sides. We got new insights."

Schoenstatt families from Vallendar brought punch. That was the total hit even before the Gerber's announced this. Fruit Punch (made with some alcohol and without alcohol for the children) made this corner the most frequented place by young and old, Institute members and other Schoenstatt people. Says one of the husbands: "We didn't do a lot but bring the punch. We wouldn't have missed this for anything."

Next to this, people gather around a desk with the latest print-outs from the Internet: new pictures from Bellavista (no translation needed) and Schoenstatt. "Look, there is my picture in the Internet report!", cries a young woman from India. Songs in English, German, Spanish, were shared. From time to time, the music band invited everyone to join in singing; the booklets with Schoenstatt songs in several languages came in handy. Some people just listened, others continued their conversation. The music band continued with: "Do Not Be Afraid". Joy among the English group - some knew the man who made this song.

A couple shares: "We were hoping to meet some people who speak Spanish. We came from Mexico and we didn't expect to meet so many people. It was wonderful."

"I am so happy to party with so many Schoenstatt Sisters," says a woman from Vallendar. "Several years ago, I was on a retreat in this house. I had never dreamt of one day sitting here in a fest with Schoenstatt Sisters, with so many Schoenstatt people!" She saw one of the posters and did not want to miss the fest. "Will we have this each year on May 31st?", her neighbor asks.

Sisters from Burundi sing two songs in Kirundi; they played a drum and filled the court with African rhythms. At first, there were problems with the microphone; no one was around to translate - and still they and the youth from Vallendar understood each other! Sisters from South and Central America sang Spanish songs, young women from the Philippines sang a song and performed a dance in typical dresses from their country.

"It is beautiful to see so many young people here," says a man. "My friend invited me for the celebration, I am in Schoenstatt for the first time, and I can't get enough of it, it is fascinating. I met people who shared beautiful experiences with God. My friend's mother wants to join a "Day for Women" - I will soon return to Croatia, but before I would like to come with her!" The 19 year-old youth from Croatia would like the fest to go on and on ...

A person from England shares: "I saw a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time. We could even meet the first Schoenstatt Sister of Mary who took care of us in the early 1970's."

Around 9:00 pm, a car loaded with 15 or so ice boxes arrived. Children and adults carried the boxes around and offered ice cream to everybody. The Gerber family shared that the ice cream and also the candy, rolls, chips, and beverages, was donated by Mr. Arrau. He should have heard the applause.

Women from the Federation passed on little rainbow hearts made out of cardboard: covenant hearts, they said. No individual heart has all the colors of the rainbow, but all of them together make a beautiful covenant sign. It is a significant symbol for this family get-together on the evening of May 31st, the covenant with Father Kentenich.

A call was made to Chile, and Father Beller shared about the celebration and the atmosphere in Bellavista - talking from a cell phone right in front of the Cenacle Shrine.By 10:30, it began to get colder and dark. Some people left for home, others stood around and talked, and the band continued to play one song after the other. One person started - and in family like togetherness those present began to help clean up. Leftovers of candy and pop corn were passed on to the leader of the local Schoenstatt Boys who plan a canoe trip ...

"This was a perfect closing of May 31st," someone states. "Everybody was so spontaneous, so open. We did not need much of a program, it was just so great how we simply talked with each other."