Felices después de la Alianza de Amor Happy after the Covenant of Love Glückliche Gesichter nach dem Liebesbündnis Foto: Schindler © 2003
Alianza de Amor en el Santuario de las Familias: los Kaminsky Covenant of Love in the Shrine of the Families: Kaminsky family Liebesbündnis im Heiligtum der Familien: Ehepaar Kaminsky Foto: Link © 2003
Musicantes.... de la diócesis de Limburg... Musicians ... from the diocese of Limburg... Musikanten... aus der Diözese Limburg...
... y de la República Dominicana: Hna. Cecilia (der.) ... and from the Dominican Republic: Sr. Cecilia (r.) ... und aus der Dominikanischen Republik: Sr. Cecilia (re.) Fotos: Schindler © 2003
En el Santuario: simbolos de gratitud In the Shrine: signs of gratitude Im Heiligtum: Zeichen für den Dank
Intercambio con el Padre Michael Schapfel Discussion with Father Michael Schapfel Austausch mit Pfr. Michael Schapfel
A jugar! Let's play! Auf zum Spiel!
Fotos: Link © 2003

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. "Finally no longer only 'related by marriage' but part of the family!" – Matthias Schindler's spontaneous comment after the Covenant of Love in the Shrine of the Families in Schoenstatt reflects the joy of the two couples, that at the end of the Marriage Intensive Seminar – a series of weekend and afternoon retreats of a group of families from the diocese of Limburg – sealed their Covenant of Love. Subjects of marriage and family life, pedagogy, religious education and more had created interest to touch the wellspring that makes a difference in the life of Schoenstatt families.

Saturday night, dinner and theater play being over, time to go to bed for the little ones, time for the common night meditation. Since the first meeting of the group, the symbols of treasure and treasure box have become important for the adults and for the children. "Look, David, here we have two new treasures for our treasure box," David's parents say, and carefully place their covenant medals in the family's treasure box… Of course David also wants one!!!

Becoming part of the family

"Thank you for the strength in so many awkward situations…" "Thank you for the many small signs that show me that you love me…" "Thank you for a year with a person at my side, a person who loves me…" "Thank you for the joy to share personal things, and faith, with other couples…" The group meetings for the seminar have marked the lives, as couples, and as families. Some of the families that during the last year had met repeatedly for the Marriage Intensive Seminar, knew each other from marriage preparation seminars. Some have frequently offered their work, talents, and ideas for Schoenstatt activities. Repeatedly, the Covenant of Love and the Home Shrine had been mentioned during their meetings. Now, on January 11, during the final weekend retreat, two of the couples decided to close this time sealing the Covenant of Love. At 5:30 PM, in the Shrine of the Families, two of the couples became part of the Schoenstatt family through their Covenant of Love.

After a festive dinner, the children, under the joyful guidance of Sister Cecilia from the Dominican Republic, performed a play that caused joy to themselves and to all the participants as well.

Hour of Thanksgiving in the Shrine

"Thank you for the seminar…" "Thank you for the harmony in my family…" "Thank you for the mutual confidence in our seminar group." "Thank you for this seminar group, for the openness and closeness, for all that was done for us. Thank you for your strategy, for your guidance, and that you accepted my contributions to the capital of grace in a very concrete way, and for your response…" During the hour of thanksgiving in the Shrine, it became once again clear that this seminar really had meant a lot to the participants who are now willing and ready to share their experiences in their parishes and working in the Schoenstatt family movement in the diocese of Limburg: "Thank you for the Covenant of Love!" "God, help us to listen to you in our daily life and to live our lives according to your wishes!"

English edition: Joan Biemert, New Franken, Wisconsin,USA