The World Youth Day Cross on the way to Schoenstatt

Thursday afternoon, October 14, the Schoenstatt Youth of the archdiocese of Freiburg received the World Youth Day Cross to carry it to Oberkirch and then to Schoenstatt

14 de octubre: Mons. Robert Zollitsch durante la Misa en la catedral de Friburgo October 14: Archbishop Zollitsch in the Mass in the Cathedral of Freiburg 14. Oktober: Erzbischof Dr. Robert Zollitsch in der Messe im Freiburger Münster
La Cruz de la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud en la catedral de Freiburg The World Youth Day Cross in the Freiburg Cathedral Das Weltjugendtagskreuz im Freiburger Münster
Tocando la Cruz Touching the Cross Das Kreuz berühren
En camino hacia Schoenstatt Already on the way to Schoenstatt Fast schon auf dem Weg nach Schönstatt
Una agencia de prensa escribó: "El icono del Movimiento de Schoenstatt llegue a Schoenstatt" A news agency wrote: "The icon of the Schoenstatt Movement is coming to Schoenstatt" Eine Pressestelle schrieb: "Die Ikone der Schönstattbewegung kommt nach Schönstatt". Nun denn...
Misa de despedida en Friburgo Farewell Mass in Freiburg Abschied und Dank in Freiburg
Portando la cruz Carrying the cross... Das Kreuz tragen...
Desde aquí via Oberkirch hacia Schoenstatt From here, via Oberkirch, to Schoenstatt… Von hier aus über Oberkirch nach Schönstatt
Encuentro Encounter Begegnung
Juventud de Schoenstatt con la Cruz Schoenstatt Youth with the cross Mit dem Weltjugendtagskreuz auf nach Oberkirch
Una misión especial! A special mission Das ist eine besondere Freude und Sendung! Fotos: Wieland © 2004

Michael Gerber. The time has come. Radiant with joy, representatives of the Schoenstatt Youth are carrying the cross through the aisle of the Cathedral to the Central Square of Freiburg. Together with the Icon of Mary, it is now on the way to Schoenstatt.

Some people in the Freiburg pedestrian precinct stopped in disbelief when late in the afternoon of October 13, in the middle of incessant rain, a long procession of youth walked through the streets. The World Youth Day Cross was carried in front of the procession towards the last official stopover in the archdiocese, the Bishop's Church. Well visible the Schoenstatt Youth - with their scarves with the Schoenstatt logo attracting the attention of many. Archbishop Zollitsch then celebrated the festive Mass. In his sermon, he resumed the experiences of the pilgrimage of the Cross and Icon in the diocese, the many encounters with Jesus and Mary.

The World Youth Day - more than just an event

The cross, he said, points to Jesus, center of our Christian life, The icon points to Mary, who faithfully accompanied Jesus and who also accompanies us today; she wants to open our hearts for HIM.

In the packed cathedral, he especially greeted the Schoenstatt Youth, asking for God's blessing für the Youth Meeting and the October Week. At the end of the Mass, the Cross and Icon were solemnly given to the Schoenstatt Youth. They brought both of the symbols to the Schoenstatt Center in Oberkirch. With torches and candles the young people accompanied Cross and Icon in a pilgrimage up to the hill where the Shrine is situated, bringing the two symbols also to the Column of Mary above the Shrine, on hilltop. Prayers and songs followed. On Friday, a delegation set out to bring the Cross and Icon to Schoenstatt…