Schoenstatt Celebrating with Cardinal Errázuriz by the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine

The New Cardinal's Family Members - from Chile, from his Diocese, from Schoenstatt - Celebrating in Rome

(mkf) "Ave Maria Cor Ecclesiae" - these words written on the altar of the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine were a program on late afternoon, February 23. Together with Cardinal Errázuriz, approximately forty priests concelebrated Holy Mass, among them two Chilean bishops, twelve priests from the Santiago diocese, Pallottines, a large number of Schoenstatt Fathers, and "friends of the Shrine." By the first Schoenstatt Shrine in Rome, dedicated on October 22, 1990, altogether 180 people joined in a festive and joyful Holy Mass of thanksgiving.

Umbrellas were evident when Mass began; yet the light rain and cloudy skies could not hinder the 180 participants from celebrating with joy and in family-like style. During the afternoon, a group of the Schoenstatt Fathers' students and Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary had prepared the park, decorated the Shrine, the outside altar, and the house. The Schoenstatt Shrine became a "meeting point" for Schoenstatt members – from Chile, Germany, Italy, USA, Brazil, Switzerland, and many other countries. The new Cardinal's family members – his natural family, his national family, his diocesan family, and his Schoenstatt family – had celebrated together often throughout the past days so they just experienced this as the feast of "the Cardinal's Family" united by the Schoenstatt Shrine. "I am deeply impressed by the way language and mentality barriers are overcome in Schoenstatt," said Silvia Pellegrini, responsible for the Chilean TV network Channel 13, who had come to the stage for the transmission of the Mass. "I did not think that Chileans and Germans could celebrate together in such a way; it's a real testimony."

Cardinal Errázuriz: Encounter with Father Kentenich Turning Point of his Life

Two ladies from Miami, Florida, carried the big unity cross they had taken along every day, and they brought it along for this Mass with a special joy and pride since it had been at the center of the encounter with the Holy Father earlier in the day during the papal audience for the new Cardinals' family members. The South American students provided songs and music for the Holy Mass in typical South American Schoenstatt style. Chile honored the new Cardinal with extensive media coverage. Channel 13 - the Catholic University's TV network – was present as well as diocesan press office workers; an Associated Press photographer took pictures. The altar was placed in front of the Shrine; the door of the Shrine was open. The program for the liturgy was written on the altar cloth: Ave Maria Cor Ecclesiae – Schoenstatt is called to be the heart of the post-conciliar church like Mary and in covenant with her. Auxiliary Bishop Cristián Caro, Santiago, Chile, and Bishop Javier Prado, Rancagua, concelebrated with Cardinal Errázuriz, along with 12 priests from his diocese, Pallottine Fathers, among them Fr. Giuliani Guarni, who is acquainted with Schoenstatt, Schoenstatt priests, and many Schoenstatt Fathers. At the beginning, Cardinal Errázuriz shared about experiencing Divine Providence in his life, highlighting the encounter with Father Kentenich in Milwaukee as a turning point in his life. Exactly fifty years ago as a student he had gotten to know Schoenstatt as he wondered about the special radiance of a co-student. It was through Schoenstatt, Cardinal Errázuriz continued, that he had found a deeper and more personal relationship with Mary, important for him in view of his service for the church. In his whole life, he said, he had only two teachers, Father Kentenich and the Holy Father.

Family Get-Together

"It was family-like, casual and beautiful," said a Schoenstatt Sister about the dinner following in the Hotel Ergife. Chile's ambassador to the Holy See, diplomats and representatives from Chile, the Cardinal's siblings and relatives, members of the Schoenstatt communities and numerous guests acquainted with the Cardinal and with Schoenstatt had come, among them also Dr. Cesare Zucconi of the Community San' Egidio, who had been in Schoenstatt during October Week. Several speakers addressed the new Cardinal and expressed their joy that he had been made a Cardinal. The South American students sang songs in typical Chilean style, "La Bandeira," "Maria de la Alianza," and others appropriate for such an occasion. The Schoenstatt Fathers presented a special crucifix to the new Cardinal.

John Paul II Receiving the 44 New Cardinals and Their Family Members

In the morning, in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope received the 44 new Cardinals with their family members and the faithful who had participated in Wednesday's Consistory. He addressed them in the Cardinals' various languages: Italian, French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, and Latvian. As in the previous days, the atmosphere was like that of a family get-together, with much singing, applauding, and spontaneous cheers. A German newspaper report reflected surprise that a church was marked with such joy.

To the English-speaking Cardinals and faithful, the Pope expressed the hope that "the communities of faith to which you belong will become more and more true schools of prayer, contemplation and mission." John Paul II then addressed the Latin American and Spanish Cardinals with these words: "You are now asked for a greater commitment to the service of the Church, to the point of giving your lives for the Gospel, as did the Saint we commemorate today, St. Polycarp of Smyrna. This also involves a greater responsibility for your ecclesial communities and, above all, for those, like you, who are closest to them." When he, in German, mentioned that the nomination of four German Cardinals was an expression of his personal esteem for the German church, the German delegations broke into strong applause. At the conclusion of his discourse, John Paul II reminded the new Cardinals that their ministry, "diverse for each, is always at the service of the one Christ and of His Mystical Body. With fraternal esteem, I encourage you to proceed in your spiritual and apostolic mission, which today has experienced a very important stage. Keep your gaze fixed upon Christ." Each of the 44 new Cardinals could personally introduce ten of his family members to the Pope. Thus, 44 groups of ten people walked ahead to greet John Paul II. With Cardinal Errázuriz, two members of the General Presidium of the International Schoenstatt Movement went to the Pope: Father Michael J. Marmann, Superior General of the Schoenstatt Fathers, and Dr. Inge Birk, Superior General of the Ladies of Schoenstatt. Father Marmann took the unity cross that the two ladies from Miami had brought along and carried it when he approached the Holy Father. The others in Cardinal Errázuriz' group were three of his siblings; two nephews; the President of the Pontificial University of Santiago, Pedro Rosso; Father Andrés Moro (Episcopal delegate for the students' pastoral); the Cardinal's personal secretary, Father Rodrigo Bilbao; and Auxiliary Bishop Cristián Caro. The evening before, the Chilean embassy had held a reception for Cardinal Errázuriz, with many Schoenstatt members participating. Some Schoenstatt members also visited a small church near the Piazza Navona, Our Lady of Peace. It is the church that Cardinal Errázuriz was given as his titular church in Rome, following a personal wish in view of his commitment to work for peace and reconciliation.

Birgitt Winter, Elisabeth Neiser contributed to this report; with information from Channel 13 and EWTN

English edition: Joan Biemert, New Franken, Wisconsin, USA