Representatives of the Schoenstatt family of Zimbabwe; Schoenstatt began there already 25 years ago. Vertreter der Schönstattfamilie von Zimbabwe; seit 25 Jahren gibt es Schönstatt in diesem Land.

The "altar Shrine" - the Zimbabwean Schoenstatt movement longs to build a daugher Shrine. Der Heiligtumsaltar ist schon da - noch existiert das Heiligtum selbst erst als Traum der Schönstattbewegung von Zimbabwe.

Fotos: Archiv © 2002

ZIMBABWE, Marlene Peter. The small Schoenstatt community of Zimbabwe met on January 20 in Harare for the monthly covenant renewal and at the same time commemorated the 60^th anniversary of Januay 20, 1942, and the crowning of the Mother Thrice Admirable as "Queen and Mother of Zimbabwe" one year ago. Amidst growing political pressure in the country, the Schoenstatt Movement prepares for the 25^th anniversary of Schoenstatt in Zimbabwe come October.

The Schoenstatt members of Harare and around had their Covenant celebration on 20 January 2002 at 3 p.m. in the home of Pat and Stella Arnold, the leaders, where the altar shrine is – the altar of a Schoenstatt Shrine built in the house, "waiting" for the future Schoenstatt Shrine of Zimbabwe to be constructed one day. Schoenstatt family members, 18 altogether, arrived from various parts of Harare. Two of the men, Cecil Punch and Andrea Adolfo had come in the morning as they had to leave the area they live in, Sunningdale, before the groups of the ruling party's members came door to door to force people out of their homes to attend political meetings. They do this every weekend. The teenagers are rounded up for meetings toas and dare not disobey.

"If you Believe and Believe…"

As many of us as could went into the shrine whilst the overflow went to the usual place outside the window of the shrine. They started with a refrain that they learned nearly two years ago, which was sung during the processions and prayer services for peace in the weeks before the general elections... "If you believe and I believe, and we together pray, the Holy Spirit must come down, and set God's people free." The second time around we sang "...and set Zimbabwe free." 

The celebration began with a prayer of adoration, then a meditation from the Covenant Services books. A striking part was 'Mary is the child of God.  For this reason she has the charism to lead men in Christ to the Father. It is her mission not only to lead men to the Father, but to mediate rich graces of childhood for them. Wherever Mary reigns, lives and works in a community, there also the Father reigns, and happy children of God will mature." 

After this Pat spoke about the 20th January in Schoenstatt's history and Father Kentenich's decision to refuse the medical examination that could have saved him from going to Dachau. The account of this was taken from Fr. Uriburu's book, "A Father to Many."  We sang "Hail Queen of Heaven."

Queen and Mother of Zimbabwe

The third reason for this important day was that it was the first anniversary  of our crowning of Our Blessed Mother "QUEEN AND MOTHER OF ZIMBABWE". Marlene reminded those present of how we came to the decision to crown Her at our October Weekend celebrations in 2000, and the nine week novena which was prayed by so very many people even reaching other countries through the internet via schoenstatt.de and e-mail. The crowning was not just a one-off thing, a beautiful ceremony for a day, but a serious, living commitment on our part in choosing to offer her a crown in confidence that she would take perfect care of us, and hers in accepting to be our Queen and Mother and the obligations that this entailed. We have all been chosen since our baptism and set aside by God for the vocations he wants us to carry out. Like our Queen and Mother we have to say Yes. Here I am, I come to do your will. God doesn't promise the way will be easy but we have offered ourselves as instruments and here in Zimbabwe, we have to help bring about peace, happiness and joy where we are. I read from a beautiful reflection the words of our founder on Crowning and Consecration which reminded us of when his mother consecrated him to Mary when he was nine years old and how seriously he took this. Part of this reflection says, " ...crowning Our Lady does not mean putting a crown of silver, gold or paper on a statue or picture of Mary, rather crowning means: Firstly, it means to recognise and acknowledge the power, might, and position that God has given her (especially her motherhood, her maternal role.) Secondly, it means that we act according to God's wishes by submitting ourselves freely, generously, consciously and wholeheartedly to her, our Mother. We consecrate ourselves to her."

Recognize the Image of Christ in our Neighbor, Irrespective of Color, Creed, or Social Position

We stood to say the same crowning prayer we prayed for our nine week novena, and sang the crowning hymn "Queen of Africa". Our prayers were of thanksgiving and petition for peace protection and for the many people who are bearing the brunt of the present unrest, and the sick and dying. Our resolution for the month is 'to try to recognise the image of Christ in our neighbour irrespective of colour, creed or social position. And to visit our Queen and Mother daily in our home shrines to ask for the grace to cultivate an attitude of generosity and compassionate understanding. 

We prayed our consecration prayer "MY Queen, My Mother..."  

We will continue to pray our crowning prayer and also we want to prepare to celebrate our 25th anniversary of Schoenstatt in Zimbabwe in October in a meaningful way.