Un nuevo lugar de gracias en las Filipinas: el nuevo Santuario de Schoenstatt próximo a la ciudad de Cebu A new place of grace in the Philippines: the new Schoenstatt Shrine near Cebu City Ein neuer Gnadenort auf den Philippinen: das Schönstattheiligtum bei Cebu City
Arribo del Cardenal Vidal el 20 de Julio de 2003 para bendecir el Santuario Arrival of Cardinal Vidal on July 20, 2003, for the blessing of the Shrine. Ankunft von Kardinal Vidal am 20. Juli 2003 zur Einweihung des Heiligtums
Cerca de 2.000 personas asistieron a la celebración Approximately 2,000 persons attended the celebration. Ungefähr 2000  Personen waren zur Einweihung gekommen.
El Cardenal Vidal expresó su alegría por la presencia de Schoenstatt en su diócesis Cardinal Vidal expressed his joy in the presence of Schoenstatt in his diocese. Kardinal Vidal drückte seine Freude über die Präsenz Schönstatts in der Diözese aus.
La Hna. Inez agradeció a todos los que colaboraron para este día Sr. Inez thanked all who had contributed to this day. Sr. Inez dankte allen, die zu diesem Fest beigetragen hatten.
La "caroussa" The "caroussa" Die "Caroussa"
Obra de teatro sobre los comienzos de Schoenstatt en las Filipinas Theater about the beginnings of Schoenstatt in the Philippines Theater über die Anfänge Schönstatts auf den Philippinen
La vida del Padre Kentenich también fue teatralizada The life of Father Kentenich was also presented. Auch das Leben Pater Kentenichs wurde dargestellt.
Danza de las Juventudes inspirada en el "Cántico al Terruño" Dance of the Youth to the  texts of the "Song of the Home" Tanz der Jugend zum Text des Heimatlieds. Fotos: Lomon © 2003

PHILIPPINES, Sr. Elizabeth Foley. Since July 20, 2003, the Philippines are Blessed with a new place of grace: on July 20, approximately 2,000 persons celebrated the blessing of the first Schoenstatt Shrine in this country. Cardinal Ricardo Vidal Blessed the Shrine. Auxiliary Bishop Julio Cortes lead the Eucharistic Benediction in the afternoon.

Three days before the blessing a typhoon in Cebu brought the Schoenstatt family to their knees. It rained non-stop all day Thursday and parts of Friday. Saturday cleared enough for the final preparations to be made but was not without rain. Sunday itself was "made by the Lord". The Blessed Mother glorified herself and gave from morning till night weather which can only have been ordered by her, at times threatening with rain but often with sunshine and perhaps two drops of rain the whole day. The at times overcast sky gave relief to those who were unable to find a spot under the huge tents erected for the occasion. The periods of sun let us know of the favour of the Lord on his Filipino people. The next day another typhoon began – the Blessed Mother definitely wanted to let all know it was her work!

Two thousand persons celebrating the blessing of the Shrine

The Shrine itself set the atmosphere. It was beautifully decorated in yellow and white colours. Beside the Shrine was a huge tent for the high altar for the day. This was equally beautifully decorated with arrangements of pink gladioli and white chrysanthemums.

At the opposite end of the plaza in front of the Shrine another tent and stage was set up for the choirs in the morning and the afternoon programme. The youth had prepared a backdrop with the Shrine painted on it and the words: "Schoenstatt Movement of the Philippines. Blessing of the Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt" It was very cleverly arranged as one only had to turn the chairs around for the afternoon programme.

In between these tents other huge tents covering the plaza were set up and there was seating for 1500 people. We estimate that this number of people were present on the plaza and others were on other levels of the property seeking shade, perhaps around 2000 altogether.

Motorcade with the picture of the Blessed Mother

The first visitors arrived around 4.30am for the dawn rosary. Sr. Myrna, one of the pioneer Sisters, was there to greet the people who had come in procession from the Don Bosco Retreat Centre, close by, where many of the guests were staying.

Around 9.00 am the caroussa and motorcade from Guadalupe arrived on schedule. It was a special scene to see the picture of the Blessed Mother, beautifully decorated on the truck, surrounded by young people, dressed in Filipino costumes (Maria Clara) and with smiling faces. It was placed on the altar stage beside the Shrine while the band "Rondalla" played. The balloons flying from the caroussa gave it a real Filipino touch and one could feel the rising excitement as the big moment of the blessing neared.

When the Shrine bell rang out…

By 9.40 Cardinal Ricardo Vidal was on the scene and had time to have a leisurely chat with the Sisters, among them Sr. M. Angelita and Sr. M. Elinda, Filipino Sisters from the USA. Punctually at 10am the programme began. After the hymn: "Ave, you Immaculata", Sr. M. Lucy Ann then greeted the people and welcomed all who had come from far and near. There were introductory readings including extracts from the founding document. Then the solemn entrance by the Cardinal, ten priests and a deacon from the USA took place as all sang: "Nothing without you, without us."

The moment for the solemn blessing had arrived. As the Cardinal entered the Shrine to bless it the choir sang. One could feel the excitement of the people. The prayer of dedication followed and then the Shrine bell rang out as the Schoenstatt Male Choir from Butuan sang the Hail Mary and representatives of the Movement brought flowers to honour the Blessed Mother. They were placed in front of the caroussa.

There were two choirs which sang during the Mass. The Schoenstatt Choir sang the hymns and the Lyre Choir (University of San Jose) the parts of the Mass in Tagalog. Both choirs were superb, one could not have wished for a more beautiful and fitting praise for the Triune God and Our Lady on this day.

"To be Mary is to be holy"

Sr. Mariann, the youngest Filipino Sister in the country, read the first reading and a representative of the family branch from Butuan the second reading. A member of the Lyre Choir sang the psalm in English. The Gospel was read by Sonny, the deacon from the USA, who had come with the pilgrims from there especially for the blessing. He felt very privileged.

In the homily the Cardinal expressed his joy and his gratitude to the Sisters of Mary for coming to Cebu and bringing Schoenstatt to the Philippines. He spoke of the importance of us being like Mary and also our call to become holy. "To be Mary is to be holy" he told the people and then asked everyone if they believed that. The reply from the crowd was a spontaneous "yes". The Cardinal spoke warmly and with obvious joy at having the Shrine in his diocese.

The prayers of intercession were read in six different languages or dialects: Cebuano, Tagalog, Ilocano, German, Ilonggo and English.

During the offering of the gifts, representatives of the different islands as well as Minerva Osinga, a representative from the movement in Australia, and Jimmy, the engineer and his wife, brought gifts of the fruits of the land to the altar. The hymns at the Offertory and Communion were sung in English and Tagalog.

Everybody wanted to touch the Blessed Mother

Holy Mass continued and as the Cardinal raised our Lord present in the host and chalice after the consecration the Shrine bell rang once again. It added to the solemnity of the occasion.

During Communion one or two drops of rain fell, but the sun was soon out again and many marveled at the power of prayer and Our Lady’s kindness towards us.

Before the final blessing, Sr. M. Inez, the provincial superior, thanked the Cardinal and all the people who needed to be thanked for their contribution to the fulfilment of the dream to have a Shrine in the Philippines. She finished her words with a quote from Fr. Kentenich’s letter for the blessing of the Shrine in Mulgoa, Australia. "Today salvation has come to this house … If both partners loyally fulfil their covenant obligation then we can expect that the history of the entire continent will be thereby essentially influenced."

After the Cardinal left the altar the people streamed into the newly Blessed Shrine. It was a beautiful sight and rather touching as people eagerly pressed into the sanctuary to reach out to touch the Blessed Mother (even though this was impossible). Only the good Lord and Our Lady know what was in the hearts of the people at this special time.

Testimonies about Schoenstatt in the Philippines

It was time for lunch and yet another choir entertained us. There was a general joy and openness as one moved around the crowd. One man from another island shared: "It was such a special gift to be here. I could experience a real Schoenstatt atmosphere, like a real family at home." Another lady from Cebu said:"The occasion was very unique, the first time I have experienced such a blessing. The little Shrine, with these many people, it is just hard to believe." "The Blessed Mother is so beautiful".

By 1:00 pm the afternoon programme was ready to begin. It was only a matter of turning the chairs on the plaza around. It began with the National Anthem sung in Tagalog. Flor Juan, one of the Youth Group, was the Master of Ceremonies for the afternoon and she welcomed everyone once more. There was still a good representation to participate and enjoy the dances, singing and stage play about the beginnings of Schoenstatt, prepared by the Schoenstatt Youth as well as the sharing of various members of the movement. Sr. M Angelita and a couple from the USA shared some of their experiences with Fr. Kentenich in Milwaukee; some coordinators of the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother Campaign shared their experiences with the visits of the Pilgrim Mother to the homes; Danah, one of the Schoenstatt Youth, shared about what Schoenstatt has come to mean to her; a family from Butuan shared what the family group has done for their family life (they belong to the first family group in Butuan) and Sr. M. Elizabeth shared the greetings from Australia as well as some of the important recent events of the international Schoenstatt Family. These sharings were interspersed with the songs and dances. The latter were performed by the youth with their colourful costumes and the accompanying music lifted everyone’s hearts.

The work has truly begun

By 3.20 Bishop Cortes, Auxilliary Bishop of Cebu, had arrived and once again all turned their chairs to the main altar for Benediction. He gave a very beautiful homily encouraging everyone to become a living tabernacle by praying before the tabernacle in the Shrine. He was also obviously happy and grateful to be able to be part of the celebration. His first port of call upon arrival was to pray in the Shrine. At the end of Benediction the Youth presented a final dance to the Home Song. It fittingly ended the day.

Now there is only to say a heartfelt thank-you once more to all who helped by their prayers and sacrifices to make this day possible. Our Lady must reward each one from her new Shrine, so beautifully situated on the mountain overlooking the sea. It could not be more beautiful. The work has truly begun.