Estudiantes de los Padres de Schoenstatt durante la hora de adoración en Vallendar Students of the Schoenstatt Fathers during the prayer time in the Vallendar parish church Studenten der Schönstattpatres während der Gebetsstunde in der Vallendarer Pfarrkirche Foto: POS Fischer © 2003
Introducción del Padre Weber SAC (izqu.) como parocco hace unas semanas Introduction of Father Weber SAC as parish priest some weeks ago Introduction of Fr. Weber SAC als Pfarrer von Vallendarer vor wenigen Wochen Foto: Brand © 2003
Vista de la iglesia de Vallendar View of the Vallendar parish church Blick in die Pfarrkirche von Vallendar
Foto: Brehm, Archiv © 2003

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. The traditional "Perpetual Prayer" in the parish of Vallendar - the parishes of the diocese are taking turns with a day of Eucharistic Adoration - this year coincided with the Day of Consecrated Life, February 2, Candlemas, the Day of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Students of the Schoenstatt Fathers from Switzerland and India sponsored the Hour of Adoration of the Religious Communities, Movements, and Orders.

Despite snow and cold, the parish church of Vallendar was filled when the prayer time of the Religious Communities and Movements began at 1:00 PM. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed on the main altar, and the church - recently renovated - was decorated with loving care: flowers by the many statues of the Virgin Mary, and the saints, a white cloth highlighting the Blessed Sacrament. It was the first time that the "Perpetual Prayer" took place in the parish of Vallendar since Father Weber SAC had taken office as new parish priest in the parish of Vallendar - the parish that is one of the richest of Germany regarding the presence of religious life on its grounds, given the fact that both the Pallottine communities and institutions (College, Youth Center 'Wasserburg'), and the Schoenstatt Communities of the place of the origin belong to this parish.

The treasure and mystery of vocation

In a prayerful, devout atmosphere, the songs and prayers offered by the Schoenstatt Fathers' students made those present - among them a big number of Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, Pallottine brothers, Brothers of Mary, Schoenstatt Fathers, Schoenstatt families - think of their own vocation, ponder the mysteries of God's guiding love, and reflect on the pitfalls and temptations that routine, high activity, superficiality, disappointment, and egoism can mean for the fulfillment of one's personal vocation. Without explicitly mentioning Schoenstatt terms, the prayers as well as songs reflected and transmitted Schoenstatt's Marian spirituality and the strong belief in God's Providence and merciful love.

The prayer service ended with asking God the Father for the grace of faithfulness, and petitions for those who are called by God on an orginal vocational way. What a nice sign that those who had prayed were met outside by long lines of kindergarten and elementary school kids eagerly waiting to conquer the parish church!!!