El nuevo Santuario en Bangalore, India The new Shrine in Bangalore, India Das neue Heiligtum in Bangalore, Indien
Bendición del Santuario, 15 de febrero: niñas del Jardín de Infantes de las Hermanas Blessing of the Shrine, February 15: children of the Sisters' kindergarten Weihe desHeiligtums, 15. Februar: Kinder aus dem Kindergarten der Marienschwestern
Padre Prabhuprasad Father Prabhuprasad Pater Prabhuprasad
Consagración del altar Consecration of the altar Altarweihe
La imagen de la Mater, con la "pumala" The picture of the MTA, with the traditional "pumala" Das Bild der Gottesmutter mit der traditionellen "pumala"
Saludando a la Mater Greeting the Blessed Mother Die Gottesmutter wird innig gegrüßt
El Santuario, cuna de futuros sacerdotes The Shrine, cradle of future priests Das Heiligtum, Wiege zukünftiger Priester
Misa en el Santuario, con el P. Franz Brügger Mass in the Shrine, with Fr. Brügger Messe im Heiligtum, mit Pater Brügger
Las tres banderas: India, Schoenstatt, Iglesia The three flags: India, Schoenstatt, Church Die drei Fahnen: Indien, Kirche, Schönstatt Fotos: www.kentenich-gdw.de © 2004

INDIA, www.kentenich-gdw.de/pos. A Shrine were future priests grow for Schoenstatt in India was blessed on February 2, 2004, in Banglore, India; the Schoenstatt Fathers, seminarians and novices live with their new Shrine, where the first celebrations -closing of novitiate, community weeks - have taken place.

All the work on the shrine was actually finished on the eve of the blessing. The firm that had put up the tent also put up the 650 chairs around the shrine. The Sisters had taken over the task of decorating the shrine, and they discussed with Fr Francis that afternoon on the best way to do it. The students’ motto for the year and a photo of Fr Kentenich at the lake already greeted the people at the entrance to our property.

So the solemn act began without any stress and in joyful anticipation. Fathers, students and novices prayed Laudes in the shrine and then hoisted the three important flags – of India, the Church and Schoenstatt.

Cutting the tape that closed off the Shrine

Punctually at 10.00 AM the priests processed to the shrine. They were preceded by a group of girls from the Sisters‘ kindergarten – all were dressed in white Communion dresses – and a Schoenstatt group of boys with their own flag. Fr Prabhuprasad, Rector of the house, greeted the guests. Fr Bruegger, Provincial of the German Province, presided at the Eucharist, preached and blessed the shrine, for which he had been commissioned by the Bishop.

The blessing ceremony began with the beginning of Holy Mass. Not only the faithful, but above all the shrine, were sprinkled with Holy Water to purify the holy place and the shrines of our hearts. After the sermon Fr Mario Romero, a member of the General Council of the Fathers, who was the second guest of honour, cut the tape that closed off the shrine. (By the way, during the ceremony the tape was cut into little bits so that the people could take some with them if they wanted to.)

Then the altar was blessed. There were vessels with glowing coals at the four corners of the altar to which plenty of incense was added as a symbol of the prayers and sacrifices, with which they wanted to exert "gentle force" on the Blessed Mother to take up her abode at this place. The inside of the shrine was also incensed.

They want to touch the picture of the Blessed Mother

The picture of the Blessed Mother was brought to the altar in solemn procession led by the girls in white, who strewed flowers, and while the shrine’s bell was rung. According to custom the picture was honoured with a "Pumala" (a garland of flowers).

The Blessed Sacrament was brought into the shrine after Holy Communion. After the final blessing the Fathers, seminarians and novices carried the picture of the Blessed Mother – all were encouraged to join in – in procession around the shrine before it was placed in the shrine, although not in its final position, but in such a way that it could be touched when the people paid it their respects. A long procession formed in front of the shrine. Finally some groups had to be photographed in front of the picture.

A Schoenstatt Couple from the USA "happened" to experience the blessing of a Shrine

All were invited to the festive meal and sat down in little groups either in front of the shrine or in front of the main entrance of the house. Many greetings, good wishes and speeches followed. Among the guests was a Schoenstatt couple from the USA on their way through India. They had reached Bangalore and were staying in a hotel and "just" on this Sunday they were visiting the Sisters of Mary because their daughter has become a Sister in the USA. Their joy at being able to take part in the blessing of a shrine was particularly great because it was so unexpected, and so they experienced it as a special gift from Divine Providence.

The carpenters and wood-carvers, as well as the other tradesmen, took part in the celebrations. They were dressed in their best and had already packed their bags, because their work was finished and they were to return to Kerala that day. Their last task was to fit the picture into the frame of the altar. After that the photographer was specially sent for and had to promise them that they would all get a picture of the altar they had made.

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