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Beatrix
und Gerhard Bleuel, Diözese Fulda
"We
simply feel welcome here, also with the children. They are not regarded
as loud or annoying, but we are just welcome as a family. They liked the
kids' program. We were here once before, we often go to the shrine in
Dietershausen, it's not so far."
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Father Tilmann Beller,
Leader of the German Schoenstatt Movement
"It's astonishing, I can't
explain the result from the working forces. Personally, I feel: the Blessed
Mother is here. 3,000 groups - you can't make that. It's amazing, and
surprising. I know the Dambacher family since many years — but how they
did it, that's different, a plus in efficiency ... Thinking about this
day — I was most impressed by one person, by the Blessed Mother herself.
I expect a lot from this
day, and from the pilgrim shrine campaign. I expect Schoenstatt to change
— because to average Schoenstatter will realize: I have something to share.
Also those who know what they can, and what they cannot — specially what
they cannot and what does not work — that they, and we all, again believe
that impossible things are possible!"
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Gertrud
Öchsle, Spaichingen
"For me, this is a real
big feast! I wanted to work for 100 pilgrim shrine groups in my home town,
as a gift for the Blessed Mother for the year 2000, and so I began ...
We have 109 groups in Spaichingen right now."
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Father Matthias
Rummel SAC, director of the Original Shrine
"We hope that the Pilgrims'
place by the shrine is soon ready. The cross will be back in some days,
the old walls with the stations of the cross will be restored ... This
day was impressive, it was prayerful and interesting, simply good. I was
personally impressed by the testimonies of faith given by these simple
people. How to begin a conversation on faith, starting with a picture.
And to see, it does not matter if people first don't go with — they try
again, and suddenly a door is open. I think — we have workshops and conferences
on high theological levels, and as we discuss, faith breaks down in the
parishes. Here, you have an initiative open for everyone - kids, students,
mothers ... And it makes a difference, it causes a new courage to live.
Today, you could experience the validity of our faith for every day life.
Maybe, passing on faith does not happen through the authority, but how
it happens here — the testimony of life, this encouraging sharing of experiences."
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Tous
family, Kirchen
"A
friend asked us to join the group. We are here for the first time, but
we know the Schoenstatt picture - we have a big black-and-white picture
at home, from our Grandmother. We really like the Schoenstatt picture.
The Blessed Mother is so close, she looks at us, and we feel inspired
to just talk to her."
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E.
Niebergerwall, Hillscheid
"I am associated with this
place through the Pallottines. Very often, I take part in classes at the
college, and I join discussion groups offered there. This is the first
time that I take part in a Schoenstatt event here. Since one year, we
have the Pilgrim Shrine in our house. I only came back to faith two or
three years ago, through a tragic incident in our family."
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Maritta
Tott, Weiskirchen
"Mary
did a lot in the families. We also gave pilgrim shrines to the Communion
children. I went to the Mission House to give a donation for Schoenstatt
in the Philippines. The first day I was in Schoenstatt was a mission day
on Schoenstatt in the Philippines. I did not expect so many people to
come today! I was really touched when the big picture of the Blessed Mother
was carried into the church, accompanied by the kids with the flags. I
want to make my covenant of love soon!"
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Familie
Weiser, Simmern
"We
made our covenant of love 18 years ago in Poland. Since 11 years, we live
in Germany. We brought our home shrine with us when we came, we also placed
it in the camp where we first lived. It meant a lot to us. Now we are
so happy that we found courage to speak to others about Schoenstatt, with
the Pilgrim Shrine. We have six groups in Simmern."
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Sr.
M. Irmengild, Schönstatt — verantwortlich für die Organisation
des Festes
"I
did not expect such a weather; when we had finished our work yesterday
night, I did not believe we would have sunshine today. It rained so hard!
The caterers are doing their work very well - they took the risk of not
knowing how many people would come. Those who sell cake are from a Vallendar
bakery."
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Frau
Jungblut, Simmern
"I am from Kazakhstan,
and I am in one of these groups. We are really international - families
from Poland, Germany, and Russia! We want to continue, of course!"
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Fr.
Egle, Rottenburg-Stuttgart
"We
have the biggest number of pilgrim shrines in our diocese. I am sure,
that the Blessed Mother is working. I am impressed how the people like
the MTA picture. Remember the time when we felt embarrassed because the
picture was not accepted? The time when we had these line drawings of
the MTA picture? I guess that's over. The picture is liked. I am also
fascinated with so many people attracted who are not regular churchgoers.
One lady in my town works at the post office. She shared, and found 40
persons willing to join a pilgrim shrine group."
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Familie
Balitzki, Berlin
"We
met here with three other families from our parish in Silesia. They are
all in different towns in Germany now, but they all belong to the Pilgrim
Shrine Campaign. In Berlin, we have four groups now. But there are 130,000
Polish families in Berlin - we would like to invite all of them! Too bad,
so far no German families belong to the groups, but families from Ecuador
and Cuba do."
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Ingrid
Sauter, Weisenhof
"I
belong to Schoenstatt since 19 years, I am member of the Schoenstatt prayer
community. We have 2 groups in our town. Some of the people want to finish
now, well, I'll find other ones — hopefully also Protestant Christians.
And specially those who are searching God."
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Eva-Maria
Mierswa, Hildesheim-Drispenstedt
"This
was a beautiful day! We have the first group in Hildesheim, that's like
a miracle. The members are from Poland, many young families. We brought
a rose for each participant and placed it by the Blessed Mother. Some
families also gave us envelopes with their prayer intentions."
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Christine
Kolb, Lindau
"I am here for the first
time, and so far I liked it a lot. I know Schoenstatt since several years
as I read some novenas and pamphlets about Father Kentenich. Therefore
I liked to join the Pilgrim Shrine Campaign. I was looking forward for
this day!"
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