(Carlos Cantu) Approximately 300 persons gathered for the annual October Day at the Confidentia Shrine/Schoenstatt Center in Rockport/Lamar, Texas on Sunday, October 28, 2001. A highlight was the coronation of the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt as our victorious Queen of Confidence. The new motto for the Texas family is: In Victorious Confidence, Your Gift—Our Mission.

Leaders from various Texas dioceses representing groups from all branches of the Schoenstatt Movement gathered for the annual Delegates’ Convention at the Confidentia Shrine/Schoenstatt Center in Rockport/Lamar, Texas on October 12-14, 2001. After presentations, discussion, and prayer diocesan leaders of the various branches and other representatives gathered to discern the motto for the coming year. The new motto for the Texas family is: In Victorious Confidence, Your Gift—Our Mission.

Focus on the Home Shrine

Because of the difficult times in our country and world, and since the special grace of our Texas Shrine is CONFIDENCE and also because we now prepare for the 50^th anniversary of the beginning of our Father and Founder’s exile, it was determined that we must go forth in Victorious Confidence proclaiming as our mission the importance of the Home Shrine since it is part of our exile legacy. As a special gift to our Father and Founder, the Texas "Children of Confidence" want to daily offer anew our Home Shrines. They want to recall that the Confidentia Shrine was offered to the MTA as a gift of thanksgiving in advance for the liberation of Father Kentenich from exile.

Fifty New Home Shrines as a Gift

In the prayer, the Texas Schoenstatt Movement makes a special commitment: "Mother, these are anxious times for our nation and our homeshirnes must provide a haven of peace, joy and tranquility. Here you offer the graces of a home, inner transformation and mission to all who come in contact with our homeshrines. We hope that through this inbreak of graces we will be able to dedicate 50 new homeshrines in Texas as a special gift to you and to our Father and Founder. Through the recitation of the rosary and our prayerful attitude, we want to invite our pastors to participate in our endeavors. Dear Father Kentenich, may the special gift of the Father Eye symbol which you gave to our Confidentia Shrine be an ever present testimony of your presence with us on our journey to the Triune God."

Victorious Queen of Confidence

Approximately 300 persons gathered for the annual October Day at the Confidentia Shrine/Schoenstatt Center in Rockport/Lamar, Texas two weeks later, on Sunday, October 28, 2001. After greeting and serenading the Blessed Mother at the shrine, the eucharistic celebration began at 10:30 A.M. In addition to introducing the new motto, a highlight during the eucharistic celebration was the coronation of our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt as our Victorious Queen of Confidence. Diocesan leaders of the various branches solemnly carried the crown in procession, Schoenstatt Father Gerold Langsch did the actual crowning. The coronation prayer expressed the special petitions in these difficult times of the USA.

A Crown with a Meaningful History

The crown which was used for the coronation is a very meaningful crown for the Schoenstatt Family of Texas. This crown adorns the picture of the MTA in the training center. The first crowning took place in 1972, when Mary was crowned as Queen of Confidence. In 1975, this crown was taken to Original Schoenstatt on pilgrimage and the Texas family crowned her as Victress. In 1989, on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the founding of Schoenstatt, the Texas family crowned Mary as "Victorious Queen of Covenant Loyalty".

Celebrating the Schoenstatt Sisters' 75^th anniversary

A beautiful and meangingful afternoon took place after lunch. The afternoon program was opened by Mrs. Josephine Hutchins who read a beautiful prologue which she had written honoring our Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the founding of their Institute. Sr. M. Alejandra provided the audience with a special slide presentation depicting the Institute of our Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. Sr. M. Gloria narrated miracles of confidence which brought to light how our first sisters came to Texas from South Africa and how they built our Confidentia Shrine and Schoenstatt Center. Diocesan leaders congratulated the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary with meaningful gifts. A group of sisters graced us with a beautiful song and the provincial superior, Sr. M. Antoinette thanked everyone for their loyalty and presented each and everyone with two beautiful pictures of an aerial view of Schoenstatt Lamar and the statue of the Father and Founder.

Testimonies of Confidence

Various persons then gave inspiring testimonies of confidence. After the Texas gift and prayer was explained, all received a special copy of the Home Shrine prayer which will be prayed daily by everyone as a special gift to our Father and Founder this coming year. Following a procession to the Confidentia Shrine, the Home Shrine prayer was prayed. The afternoon closed with the formation of our loyalty ring around our Confidentia Shrine and the renewal of the Covenant of Love.