Pilgrims from Liverpool, England, in Schoenstatt Pilger aus Liverpool, England, in Schönstatt

Fr. Kelly during Mass in the Original Shrine; he was in Schoenstatt for the first time. Pfr. Kelly bei der heiligen Messe im Urheiligtum; es war sein erster Aufenthalt in Schönstatt

Visit to Metternich, documentation on Sr. Emilie Besuch in Metternich, Sr.-Emilie-Dokumentation

By the Shrine on Mount Moriah Beim Heiligtum auf Berg Moriah

Meeting with the group of the Mothers' Union from South Africa, and Fr. Ivanhoe Treffen mit der Gruppe des Mütterbundes aus Südafrika und P. Ivanhoe

Meeting with other visitors from South Africa Treffen mit anderen Besuchern aus Südafrika

Fotos: Bill McEvoy © 2002

Flag of the Schoenstatt family of Liverpool Standarte der Schönstattfamilie von Liverpool

SCHOENSTATT, Pat McEvoy. '"Peace, love, and healing. I thank you Mother" – this is one Liverpool pilgrim's summary of the pilgrimage to Schoenstatt mid June, 2002. A busload of pilgrims enjoyed a spiritual, and uplifting pilgrimage marked by a strong feeling of togetherness, and simple joy.

"It was such a good pilgrimage, very happy, spiritual and uplifting. We received a lot in every way from Our Lady," – this could be taken as the general consent of all those who participated in the 2002 Liverpool pilgrimage to Schoenstatt.  Fr. Peter Kelly, on his first visit to Schoenstatt, and Sr. Miriam were well chosen instruments of the Blessed Mother in helping the pilgrims to absorb the experience of Schoenstatt. " What can I say!! I have truly been lifted," one of the participants said. "It was like being in heaven on earth my heart is so full of love from everything." – "Love, peace and joy in abundance, " added Tilly. "Our Blessed Mother took us all by the hand on a holiday to her beloved Shrine. Divine Providence in action!! We love you Mother dear." - "An oasis of joy, peace, love and serenity. Blessed pilgrims and wonderful hospitality." – This is how Father Kelly, who accompanied the group as priest, summed up his Schoenstatt experience.

"Our singing during the Mass, each day, echoed the joy that was in our hearts"

"During the stay I felt like a gigantic ball of LOVE had burst and enveloped us all," wrote Vera. Our singing during the Mass, each day, echoed the joy that was in our hearts. Our tours around Bergs Schoenstatt, Sion and Tabor opened our senses to encounter the deep peace that pervades Schoenstatt. " We trusted and she gave in abundance - received calm and a deep peace," one of the pilgrims said. Another one: "When I heard there was a chance to come to Schoenstatt I jumped at it regardless! I might have known Our Blessed Mother would have a `tailor- made` programme. It was exactly what I was in need of. Spiritually, I was entirely satisfied and the hospitality - food and lodging all you could desire." –" I have just returned from a most amazing stay in Schoenstatt, the graces I received whilst I was there where just mind blowing. I pray that I might retain those blessings throughout the year, but unfortunately with the speed of life,we are inclined to fall away as time goes on ,that is why I think we need our batteries charged every now and then, and Sister Miriam does a very good job in recharging them," wrote Ted McCluskey a few days after his return to Liverpool. Vera:

Meeting with the International Schoenstatt Family

The group from Liverpool was in House Sonnenau, which at that time was filled to capacity with groups and visitors from different countries. South Africa was very well represented: a couple from Durban, a couple from Cape Town with friends, and finally a group of eight Mothers of the Mothers' Union from Cape Town, and Johannesburg (plus Marlene Peter from Zimbabwe). A couple from Santa Maria, Brazil, was there, and several other visitors. The group from Liverpool enjoyed meeting with our International Schoenstatt family, new and old. The mothers from South Africa, and the couples, were invited to join their program partially. " The South African's helped us all to experience the loving and united bond that exists between our International Schoenstatters as we visited Kentenich Hof and Metternich!" " I think meeting with the people from South Africa and Fr. Kelly made this special for me," said Teresa Gussow.

Ted McCluskey was inspired by the international encounters with the idea of an "Internet of Prayer", renewing the Covenant of Love "around the world": "I don't know how many home shrines there are in the world, but at a guess I would say at least one million.   If every body who has a home shrine throughout the world, would, at a designated time every day, recite the "Covenant of Love"  to Our Lady, there would be a continual devotion going up to heaven   through different times in each country.  The way it would work would be ,for instance 8pm in the U K would be 9pm in Germany and so on throughout the world. Each person would recite the "Covenant Of Love" in the privacy of there own shrine, that devotion would be spiritually carried to there local shrine, which would, in turn send it spiritually to the Mother Shrine in Schoenstatt, which would offer it up to heaven.   That way Our Lady would have a continual devotion being offered to her 24 hours a day.365 days a year, I call it "The Internet Of Pray" because it would act like the internet, but spiritual not via computers." Thinking of the Covenant of Love renewed by thousands and thousands each morning and night, this "internet" already exists – as a comforting and challenging reality!

Sightseeing, Laughter, and a Feeling of Togetherness

Sightseeing and shopping trips as they visited Koblenz, Rudesheim and Limburg, the evenings entertainment with lots of laughter, singing and a feeling of togetherness, the `.Fancy Dress` during our final evening at Schoenstatt, all contributed to this Liverpool Pilgrimage: "We thank all who helped in any way to make our visit so meaningful and joyous." – "The pilgrimage we shared has brought me love and friendship, courage and strength and a truly deep love of Our Lady. I long to return...", someone shared. "I was taken just as I was and received unconditional love and support," added Sandra; and Rose Gorst said: "I feel privileged to have been chosen to come on this pilgrimage to meet such lovely people, especially Fr. Kelly and Sr. Miriam. Thank God and his Blessed Mother for all the peace and grace received." The shortest response to the question what this pilgrimage meant is one of the most striking: "Peace, hope, and healing. I thank you Mother."