On each 18th of the month, hundreds of pilgrims come to celebrate the Covenant of Love by the Tabor Shrine in Santa Maria, Brazil An jedem 18. Kommen Hunderte von Pilgern zum Tabor-Heiligtum nach Santa Maria, um das Liebesbündnis zu feiern.

During the whole evening before the Covenant Day, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held in the Shrine. Den ganzen Abend vor dem Bündnistag  ist eucharistische Anbetung im Heiligtum.

Fotos: Badano © 2002

The Tabor Shrine was dedicated by Father Kentenich in 1949; during his visits, he encouraged the regular celebration of the Covenant Day. Das Tabor-Heiligtum ist 1949 von Pater Kentenich eingeweiht worden; während seiner Besuche hat er die regelmäßige Feier des Bündnistages angeregt.

Foto: Archiv © 2002

BRAZIL, Sr. M. Mathilde Mang/mkf. Sr. Emilie Engel, whose process for beatification was closed on the diocesan level on February 26, was in the center of the Covenant Day in Santa Maria, Brazil – over 1,000 novena pictures were spread on February 18, 2002. A not too small number of those who came to celebrate the Covenant of Love and bring their Capital of Grace, however, already knew Sr. Emilie: "Sister Emilie's picture is glued to my refrigerator, I entrust her the care for our daily bread!"

Since the visits of Father Kentenich to Santa Maria after World War II, the 18^th of each month is celebrated in the entire diocese of Santa Maria – not only by the Tabor Shrine, but also by 19 wayside shrines, parish churches, and chapels; altogether approximately 3,000 persons join on this day in these different places.

In the Tabor Shrine, members of the movement prepare the Covenant Celebration with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, taking turns to secure the times from 6:00 PM to 24:00 PM. The three previous Covenant Celebrations had been open air events by the Shrine, on February 18 the Mass and a presentation on Sr. Emilie were to be in the big hall of the Movement house, with 550 chairs.

"… And Lead All People to Your Shrine"

Some people arrived already at 6:30 to be sure to get a seat. At 19:45, not one single place was left – mothers, fathers, grandparents often had small children sitting on their lap. The youngest participant was about six days old! Some people brought their own folding chair – they knew from experience that otherwise they would have to stand. People kept coming in from all sides, the back part and the hall ways of the room, and the wide outward stair of the Movement Center were filled with joyful people, many of them holding their Pilgrim Mother picture in arms. Those who fainted in the course of the Mass were brought back to life with a glass of water… but would not leave their good places!!!

Five priests concelebrated; at the beginning, the main celebrant invited the children to come ahead and sit on the steps of the altar stage – giving seats to 30 more people! Among the priests was a recently ordained Schoenstatt priest who had come with a busload of parishioners, a Schoenstatt Father who had only just celebrated his 50^th anniversary of the ordination and later shared that he had gotten to know Sr. Emilie personally in 1955, another Schoenstatt Father who will celebrate his 50^th anniversary this year, and a Pallottine Father who introduced himself as "Schoenstatt Pallottine". Due to the vacation time, only three buses came, usually they are much more.

Proud to Already Know Sister Emilie

The main celebrant introduced Sister Emilie to the people, sharing that in a few days the process of beatification for her would be closed in Germany and would be forwarded to Rome. He showed her as a person who was faithful in her every day duties and trusted God's Father love. Afterwards, a slide show on her life was presented. "This Sister is holy, and I never heard of her", a woman commented. At the end of the Mass, small prayer leaflets with a picture of Sr. Emilie were distributed to all. One woman said: "I already have Sr. Emilie in my house", another one commented: "Sister Emilie's picture is glued to my refrigerator, I entrust her the care for our daily bread!" Others proudly shared that they had already been by her tomb in Germany. One person refused to take a novena: "No, thanks, I got a much better one in Metternich, a personal gift of a Sister!"

The Moment of the Capital of Grace

All then processed to the Shrine for the final blessing and the burning of the papers with the Contributions to the Capital of Grace that were brought in huge plastic bags. Many people call on the 18^th to know when the "moment of the Capital of Grace" takes place. They often can't come for the Holy Mass, but won't miss this. Two police officers stopped the traffic. One of the police officers asked a Sister about the picture and wanted to also get one. The second police officer also wanted one. On each of the four lanes of the street, one bus had to stop to let the procession pass. One of the drivers shouted: "I want to also pray, please!" He received the remaining ten copies and at once spread them among the passengers on the bus!

By the Tabor Shrine, the fire was lit. Again and again, people came with plastic bags filled with slips of paper with the Capital of Grace from their parishes or groups.

The moment of the Capital of Grace is the highlight of the Covenant Celebration, and on their farewell, many said: "We are looking forward to the next feast of the Covenant – see you on the 18^th!" Sr. Emilie seems to have found a big number of new admirers, and the Blessed Mother sent her instruments again to help her bring the graces of the Shrine to all who need her closeness and guidance.