Schönstatt - Begegnungen

Schoenstatt's Charisma Bearing Fruit for the Local Church

Leading Representatives from Church and Society Joining in Reception for Cardinal Errázuriz in Schoenstatt

Festakt in der Aula der Anbetungskirche auf Berg Schönstatt

Laudatio: Mons. Peter Wolf, Schönstatt - Institut Diözesanpriester stellte in seiner Laudatio den Teilnehmern Kardinal Errázuriz vor.

Grußwort: Weihbischof Jacoby, Trier

Grußwort: Offizial Monsignore Martin Hülskamp als Vertreter von Bischof Reinhard Lettmann, Münster

Grußwort: Staatssekretär Hofmann-Götting in Vertretung von Ministerpräsident Kurt Beck, Rheinland-Pfalz

Chilenische Patres singen für ihren Kardinal

Pater Dr. M. Marmann überreicht Kardinal Errázuriz das Geschenk des Generalpräsidiums der internationalen Schönstatt-Bewegung, eine Monstranz.

Kardinal Errázuriz dankt allen Rednern des Festaktes.

Konzelebranten bei der Eucharistiefeier: Weihbischof Jacoby, Trier, Kardinal Errázuriz, Kardinal Sterzinsky, Berlin (v.l.n.r.)

Predigt: Kardinal Errázuriz

 
Fotos: POS, Brehm © 2001

(mkf) Schoenstatt's charisma, bearing fruit for the local church, as Prelate Hülskamp, Münster, expressed on the reception for Cardinal Errázuriz in Schoenstatt, was reflected in the big number of leading representatives from church and society who, together with the Schoenstatt movement, on March 18 celebrated "their" Cardinal.

All – politicians from different parties, areas and countries, church representatives from various dioceses and religious orders – greeted him as "their" Cardinal; and all emphasized, with pride and conviction, that Schoenstatt is present in "their" very areas. Dr. Joachim Hofmann-Götting, of the Rhineland-Palatinate government, was however not the only one of those present who had come to Schoenstatt for the first time in life on this occasion. Like him, a big number of political representatives from Chile, Rhineland-Palatinate -the state where Schoenstatt is located- , and the local area, as well as church representatives had come to Schoenstatt in the morning of March 18th to share their joy and pride with the representatives of the Schoenstatt movement.

 

Honoring the New Cardinal – and Schoenstatt, His Family and Spiritual Home

Svetlana Meerman, a young pianist, opened this reception with a masterly played piece of music and gave the reception a festive note with other piano pieces in the course of the program. By 10:00 AM, the hall of the Adoration Church was filled, with some chance visitors standing by the doors and in the hallways. Father Michael J. Marmann welcomed all in the name of the General Presidium – specially greeting Auxiliary Bishop Jacoby of Trier, Bishop Claudio Giménez of Caacupé, Paraguay (Schoenstatt Father), Monsignor Hülskamp of Münster (representing Bishop Lettmann), and passed on the greetings of various German cardinals and bishops. The parish priests and parish councils of the nearby parishes were present as well as a delegation of the local Lutheran community. Among the many representatives form religious orders and secular institutes – a reflection of Cardinal Errázuriz' work in Rome as Secretary of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life- were the Secretary of the German Superiors' Conference, Fr. Walter Schumacher. A special welcome was said for the Pallottines' Provincial, Father Hannappel, and many Pallottine Fathers, among them also the Director of the Original Shrine, Father Rummel. Representatives from the government of Rhineland-Palatinate, member of the parliament, mayors and other politicians from the area were present as well as representatives of the embassy of Chile, Mario Linzana, and José Fernández. Father Marmann also welcomed the members of the General Presidium, among them especially Monsignor Wolf, Director General of the Schoenstatt Institute of Diocesan Priests', who would give the laudation talk, and Sr. M. Jacoba Kesselheim as "owner" of the Adoration Church who had made it possible that the reception could take place there.

Bringing Father Kentenich's Charisma and Prophetic Vision into the Church

In his laudation talk – frequently interrupted by applause – Monsignor Wolf did not hide his "genuine joy of belonging to a Cardinals' family". In his talk, he described the main stages of Father Errázuriz life – his childhood and youth, his studies that indirectly brought him in contact with Schoenstatt and to the priesthood, his commitment to Schoenstatt in his work for the Girls' Youth in Chile and for his own community, soon in a leading position. Here, Monsignor Wolf highlighted Cardinal Errázuriz' mark on the centenary in 1985. Referring to his "call to Rome", Dr. Wolf mentioned the "Schoenstatt style of listening, granting freedom and taking seriously each vocation and charisma", that marked the years of his work. As Bishop in Chile, Archbishop Errázuriz had worked for dialogue and reconciliation. For the whole Schoenstatt family, he concluded, this nomination as Cardinal would be a reason of joy, as Father Errázuriz had not aimed at climbing the ladder but at bringing Father Kentenich's charisma and prophetic vision into the church. Father Kentenich, Dr. Wolf said, would sure encourage all Schoenstatt members to live and work with ever more dedication to bring Schoenstatt's mission into the church, so that Schoenstatt could bear fruit for the local and universal church. This day's celebration - exactly 50 years after the beginning of the Apostolic Visitation of Schoenstatt, that caused much pain and setbacks - would be a strong call to leave the catacombs and to work in the sense of the "New Pentecost for the Church", and, in the spirit of the 50th anniversary of May 31st in Bellavista, set our to bring Schoenstatt to the church and world: "Let's unite in sharing Schoenstatt with the Church!"

Interested to Learn more about Schoenstatt and Father Kentenich

The addresses of representatives from church and politics had one item in common: The acknowledgement of Schoenstatt as part of church and social life, and the awareness of Schoenstatt's meaning for church and society. Auxiliary Bishop Jacoby urged the Schoenstatt movement to join forces to help to renew the church "in Germany and in all the countries where Schoenstatt is present." Monsignor Hülskamp highlighted what he had experienced as a special strength of Schoenstatt's spirituality – the ability and willingness to reach out to the people, and to the local church; Schoenstatt's apostolic and missionary work would always be rooted in the local church, thus, Schoenstatt's charisma could bear fruit for the concrete church. "He is one of us," said Father Wolfgang Schumacher, Secretary General of the German Superiors' Conference; everybody agreed, but the other speakers said the same, referring to Rhineland-Palatinate, or the towns and counties related to the place where Schoenstatt began. "We are proud of our Cardinal", said one of the politicians, while the representative of the government,

Hofmann-Götting, declared, that he wanted to learn more about Schoenstatt and Father Kentenich.

A Monstrance and an Hour of Adoration in the Original Shrine as Gift

The members of the General Presidium had a special gift for the new Cardinal: an hour of adoration in the Original Shrine, and, as a symbol for this gift, a small monstrance in the design of the Schoenstatt logo from the centenary – the Holy City, with doors wide open, leading the streams of grace from the Shrine to all and inviting all to come to this source of grace that comes from the Covenant of Love.

Cardinal Errázuriz thanked and then invited all to join in thanksgiving in the Holy Mass.

A festive and at the same time simple Eucharist followed, beginning short after 12:00 AM. The choir of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, and a choir of students of the Schoenstatt Fathers, provided songs – in German, Spanish, and Tamil. The many priests who concelebrated with Cardinal Errázuriz and Cardinal Sterzinsky, Berlin, Auxiliary Bishop Jacoby, and Bishop Giménez made for an impressive image of the local and universal church.

Encounters – Decisive for a Life Time

Referring to the gospel of Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well, Cardinal Errázuriz shared about his own personal "encounter at the well", his encounter with Father Kentenich, an encounter that rooted in Father Kentenich's encounter with Jesus and Mary on October 18, 1914 – "the encounter of that all of us live". Each one, he continued, could give witness of encounters that became decisive for a life time, encounters with persons that gave new love and meaning it one's own history. The church, he said, had to be present where people would be looking for the well where they could find meaning and fulfillment. Where ever each one would be in this world, each one were called with his or her very talents and charisma to approach Jesus and people and share this life with all.

On this 18th, like on each 18th of the month, the Schoenstatt family all over the world celebrated and renewed the Covenant of Love. In a very simple and genuine way, Cardinal Errázuriz invited all to join in praying: My Queen, my Mother ..., thus turning to the well that provides Schoenstatt's life and fruitfulness.

The day ended with a late festive noon meal and coffee in the Father House on Mount Sion, where all could meet with Cardinal Errázuriz and with each other in a family atmosphere.

 



Zurück/Back: [Seitenanfang / Top] [letzte Seite / last page] [Homepage]

Last Update: 28.04.2001 0:25 Mail: Editor /Webmaster
© 2001 Schönstatt-Bewegung in Deutschland, PressOffice Schönstatt, hbre, All rights reserved