Invitation to the Golden Jubilee of the National Shrine of Argentina: Father, from your Shrine, Hope for Church and World! Einladung zum Goldenen Jubiläum des Landesheiligtums von Argentinien: Vater, von deinem Heiligtum aus Hoffung für Kirche und Welt

In the course of the year, many groups, branches, and diocesan communities of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign made pilgrimages to the National Shrine. Im Lauf des Jahres machten viele Gruppen, Gliederungen, Diözesen und Missionare der Kampagne der Pilgernden Gottesmutter Wallfahrten zum Landesheiligtum

On January 20, 1952, Father Kentenich dedicated the Shrine in Nuevo Schoenstatt, Florencio Varela, the first one on Argentine soil Am 20. Januar 1952 weihte Pater Kentenich das Heiligtum in Nuevo Schoenstatt, Florencio Varela, ein, das erste auf argentinischem Boden.

Fotos: © 2002

January 19/20, 2002

ARGENTINA: Golden Jubilee of the National Shrine of Argentina

In the middle of the economic crisis and change of politics, the Schoenstatt Movement of Argentina unites in the celebration of the golden jubilee of the Shrine of the Father in Nuevo Schoenstatt, Florencio Varela - the first Schoenstatt Shrine in Argentina and the only one blessed by our Father and Founder, on the 20^th of January 1952.

The prophetic words of our Father and founder about this Shrine as 'a sign of faith, a sign of unity, a sign of fight and a sign of victory' are more real than never. Father, from the Shrine, hope for the Church and world! Here we are, we go with you! - This verse of the song of the jubilee 2002 reflects it's objective: "We are interested that the Jubilee would be an answer to the situation of the country and the world. It is an opportunity to take on the challenge of this moment at light from the National Mission: With Mary, Family of the Father! There are three commitments taken by the Schoenstatt Movement in Argentina:

During the whole year, the organized movement and the Rosary Campaign of the Pilgrim Mother of Schoenstatt joined in the material and spiritual striving for the Father statue, the sign of the Covenant with him. In the Covenant with him, "we assume with a new vigor the National Mission "With Mary, Family of the Father" which is the spirit of this Shrine; we commit ourselves to the beautiful and difficult work to prolong your fatherhood being fathers and mothers of this new millennium", says the rite of the Covenant, "so that with much love and joyfulness we live the mission that he entrusted to us and therefore we give a answer to the necessities of our country". The names of all those who in Argentina and beyond joined in the conquering of the Father statue will be placed at the base of the statue. On January 19^th, the blessing of the statue will mark the beginning of the Jubilee; in the afternoon various workshops will lower to life the National Mission in the specific areas of life. An Auxiliary of the Rosary Campaign (replica of the Original picture of John Pozzobon) will preside over each of the 18 groups, responding to a petition of the Central Jubilee Commission. These and many more of the over 60 Auxiliaries of Argentina, sent from all the parts of the country, will enter in a procession at Mass on the 20^th, representing the 32000 missionaries that with their capital of graces and their commitment to the Shrine of the Father, have made this Jubilee possible.

On the 20^th of January, the anniversary of the blessing of the National Shrine, there will be a "Family party", in which great and generous participation is anticipated: Father "in your house be a party for the family". At 12 noon the whole family of Argentina will seal the Covenant with Father Kentenich, taking on the responsibility for his mission. At the end of the festive mass at 5 pm, the frame with the plaques of the diocese will be placed.

Symbol for the spirit of the anniversary of the Shrine in Guayaquil Ausdruck des Geistes, mit dem das Jubiläum des Heiligtums von Guayaquil gefeiert wird

Fotos: © 2002

January 20th, 2002

ECUADOR: 30 years of the Schoenstatt Shrine in Guayaquil

On Sunday, January 20th 2002, the Schoenstatt Family of Guayaquil, celebrates the 30^th annniversary of the consecration of their Shrine: "Family of the Father, Home for the World".

This day is the annual workshop for the leaders which begins with the Eucharist at 9 in the Pilgrim Church. Then the members of the Movement meet in the Retreat House of the Sisters, for exchanges, and talks. This day they will formulate the Motto for the year. The climax of the day will be the celebration of the gift, that the Schoenstatt Family of Ecuador has conquered: the renovation of the small hermitage of Father Kentenich. This small hermitage is found on a small hill behind the shrine and for much time it has been yearned to complete it with symbols that represent the four milestones of the history of Schoenstatt and a symbol that represents the family of Guayaquil. For this came the aid of several proposals from different artists from three branches. The winning proposal came from the Boys' Youth, in which the milestones are represented by a photographic collage.

The Father and Founder before his death consecrated to God the Schoenstatt family of Ecuador, therefore the words of his letter are the most appraised inheritance of this Family. The paten in which he consecrated the Family, a gift from a group of the Girls' Youth to Father Kentenich, was given back to Ecuador after the death of the Founder of Schoenstatt, but sadly it was robbed years later. The family wanted symbolically to emphasize this inheritance with a monument that represents the hands of Father Kentenich consecrating the Family of Schoenstatt of Ecuador in the paten. In this spirit of union to the Father and Founder, and of praise and gratitude to the Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt, this anniversary will be celebrated.

Angie Santos

Since June 2001, more than 73,000 signatures were given for the protection of human embryos Seit Juni 2001 wurde mehr als 73.000 Unterschriften gesammelt für den Schutz der menschlichen Embryonen

Poster for the promotion of the Initiative, designed by artist Eli Schlömel Plakat für die Unterschriftenaktion, entworfen von der Düsseldorfer Künstlerin Eli Schlömel

For the Schoenstatt Movement, Ruth and Peter Fischer were in charge of the Initiative and will pass on the signatures Für die Schönstattbewegung waren Ruth und Peter Fischer, Familienbewegung Köln, im Initiativkreis und werden die Unterschriften übergeben

Fotos: © 2002

January 23, 2002

GERMANY: Delegation of Ecclesiastical Movements give 73000 firms claiming the protection of human embryos

On the 23^rd of January, in Berlin, representatives from three ecclesiastical movements Focolares, Bread of life, and Schoenstatt will give lists, that reunite more than to 73,000 signatures claiming the protection of the human embryos, to Friedrich Merz, leader of the parliamentary faction of the party CDU/CSU, and to representatives of the parties of the German government. For the first time in its history, the Movement of Schoenstatt in Germany participated from the beginning, with enormous involvement and great success, in an initiative of such a political impact.

Lay leaders of three Movements obtained an impossible mission: in the course of few months they gathered more than 73,000 signatures against the use of human embryos for stem cell research, without counting on an infrastructure previously organized nor financial or professional support. Since this initiative began, 18 Movements, Institutes and Parties have actively joined the initiative. The representatives of the Schoenstatt Movement especially experienced much support from the international Family. They received motivating letters (and also signatures) from Argentina, the USA, Mexico, South Africa and other countries. This initiative has given a new apostolic dynamism to the Schoenstatt Movement in Germany, with the side effect that the image of Schoenstatt in ample circles of the Church and the society has changed, and has spread the message of Schoenstatt in spheres not yet enriched with its charisma. From the beginning of this initiative in June of 2001, a network grew that has united communities of Schoenstatt, catholic and protestant organizations and parishes, and Ecclesiastical Movements in commitment for the dignity of each human life.

Translation: Cousett Ruelas, Austin, Texas, USA