Roma: peregrinación de misioneros de Santeramo en Colle, Bari, al Santuario Cor Ecclesiae Rome, pilgrimage of missionaries from Santaramo in Colle to the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine Rom: Wallfahrt aus Santeramo in colle, Bari, zum Cor Ecclesiae-Heiligtum
P. Ludovico Tedeschi, bendición y entrega de imagenes peregrinas Fr. Ludovico Tedeschi, blessing and committing of Pilgrim MTA pictures P. Ludovico Tedeschi, Segnung und Übertragung von Bildern der Pilgernden Gottesmutter
Fotos: Rubin © 2003

ITALY, Fr. Alberto Eronti. The "new visitation" of the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt has begun in Italy. On Ash Wednesday, march 5, 2003, Father Ludovico Tedeschi brought three Pilgrim MTA's to Sicily, where families already contacted earlier were ready to commit themselfes as missionaries. Seven pictures are "on their way" in Rome; also near Mestre (Venice), Perugia, and Bari, the Pilgrim Mother has set out to the streets. Near Trento, in Caldonazzo, the Pilgrim Mother is visiting with sick persons. With expectation and joy, we meditate the "setting out" of Mary to the houses of Sicily and all Italy, and with joy state: "The Campaign has already begun!"

Each beginning creates questions that ask for answers, doubts that search for certainty. For us, the answers and certainties have a name: MTA! It has always been like that, and this beginning is no exception. Once more we experience the moving sensation and pleasure of beginning another adventure with our Mother Admirable.

A Manual of the Rosary Campaign

Fr. Ludivico and the sisters of the Bari zone wrote a "manual" of the Campaign. Besides presenting and explaining the Campaign initiated by John Luiz Pozzobon, it contains the 20 mysteries of the Holy Rosary and popular prayers. We are confident that the Blessed Mother will conquer the hearts of many, and that she will work "great things" in the families. Next to these efforts, the Campaign has been presented at various encounters with Ecclesial Movements as stream of life and grace, for the evangelization of families.

"She is the great Missionary! She will work miracles!"

These prophetic words were spoken in Italy, out of love for the church, ready to serve. And this at a time when the winds of war are blowing hard, and peace seems fragile. To these winds, we answer with the "whirl", as our Father called Mary. With him we pray between and wonder and fragility:

"Woman of the Su, step forth with light and ascend to the heights of noonday sky.

Build from here a world which is pleasing to the Father, as our Savior once implored so longingly in prayer… Reveal your power in the dark and stormy night. Let the world see your active hand and stand in admiration before you." (Heavenwards, p. 130).

Italian Schoenstatt geography

Many may be wondering about the presence of Schoenstatt in Italy, therefore, here's a small Italian Schoenstatt geography. Our Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary came forty years ago. Six sisters usually live by the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine, of whom four work in the different departments of the curia. The house is big and provides room for the Roman Schoenstatt Family, approximately 40 persons. The garden is beautiful, the location of the Shrine offers a free sight beyond, in the distance the dome of St. Peter's is to be seen.

Schoenstatt Sisters from Brazil are near Perugia, and near Bari, with two simultaneous foundations.

The Institute of Ladies of Schoenstatt has three members in Rome. The Federation of Priests counts with one member who has accompanied the Schoenstatt family of Rome throughout the past years and will continue to do so. The Institute of Diocesan Priests counts with one permanent member in Rome, who is vice rector of the Lateran University. Usually, one or two members of the Institute are in Rome to do their post-graduate studies.

Schoenstatt members from Argentina are spread all over Italy. The work of a Schoenstatt women, a kindergarten teacher, near Mestre has to be mentioned - she already has two family groups, and started the Campaign.

Finally, since March last year, the Schoenstatt Fathers are present. As one sees, it is a small family with a so far limited apostolic reach. But all seems to indicate that the Blesses Mother has started to accelerate - and we are just in.

Father, we go with you!

Northern and Southern Italy differ strongly. It is interesting that the Blessed Mother started in the North, in the center, and in the South.

The difference is manifold, but in general you can say that Northern Italians will rather be more intellectual, critical, and closed, while Southern Italians tend to be open, vital, and spontaneous. Rome is the center that hosts and synthesizes both Italies, but is also the place where a Shrine already is erected, and where a second one with a center will soon be built. What Father Kentenich envisioned on his 80^th birthday, is accelerating, and we are watching this acceleration with instrumental readiness. Thinking about what we experience, I remember the words of our Father and Founder that strengthen my confidence in the surprises of each day: "How often has the small and insignificant been the source of great things"; and "smallness of the instruments, magnitude of the difficulties, and (one day…), magnitude of the success!" With this we cannot but say one again: Yes, Father, we go with you.