20 de enero de 2005: Audiencia del Capitulo Internacional de la Federación de Familias con el Santo Padre January 20, 2005: Audience of the International Chapter of the Federation of Families, with the Holy Father 20. Januar 2005: Audienz des Internationalen Kapitels des Familienbundes mit dem Heiligen Vater
La dirección internacional: los matrimonios La Rivera, Martin, Martino, y Marini The international leaders: The La Rivera, Martin, Martino, and Marini Die internationale Leitung: Ehepaar La Rivera, Martin, Martino und Marini
En la Plaza San Pedro At St. Peter’s Square Auf dem Petersplatz
En el Santuario Matri Ecclesiae, Roma At the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine Vor dem Matri Ecclesiae-Heiligtum
Durante el capitulo: intercambio en grupos nacionales ... During the chapter: exchange in the national groups … Während des Kapitels: Austausch in den Landesgruppen ...
... y en el pleno ... and in the plenary assembly …und im Plenum
Santa Misa en la capilla de la Casa de Alianza Holy Mass in the house chapel of the Covenant House Heilige Messe in der Hauskapelle des Bundesheims Fotos: Gerber, www.familienbund.net © 2005
Fotos: © 2005

SCHOENSTATT, mkf "Until now you have dedicated yourself to understanding in a profound manner matrimony and the family in the light of the faith. It is good that the family be the charism of your union. The family is a "school of love". Transmit to the people your enthusiasm for matrimony and the family!

Today society has more need then ever of healthy families that are able to defend common values. If we fortify the sacred institution of matrimony and the Family in harmony with the divine design, love and solidarity will grow among the people!

These words of the Holy Father directed to the Chapter of International Federation of Families, had already spread throughout the world before the participants of the chapter had returned home. After two weeks of intensive work in Hillscheid (Germany) and one in Rome, life returns to normal and this means, as the Holy Father said on January 20th: Live Family, with all that is beauty and also with all the work it brings.

The first chapter members traveled a little after to Christmas to Josef Kentenich Hof and not until it began on January 2nd did all of the members arrive: Four couples from each of the autonomous territories: Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Germany and one couple from Brazil, Austria and Poland. Added to these were members of the Federation of Families that were necessary for all kinds of services such as translators, secretaries, technicians, and housekeeping. The year 2005 began with a good dinner, with songs and toasts at midnight, and of course without forgetting to go to greet the Blessed Mother and Jesus in the Shrine and to ask for their blessing.

10 minutes by the crib, visit to Metternich and the Covenant House

The intense progam during the days of chapter between January 2nd to the January 16th, we only had time on Sundays and January 6th, Day of the Three Kings, to participate in other activities. Each day was full with exhibits, discussions, agreements and presentations from the different countries. In between, a well deserved break for some good coffee in the new cafeteria of Kentenich Hof, accompanied with the typical Platzchen, the famous German Christmas cookies, that were consumed by the kilos! But there was also enough time for prayer and adoration in the Shrine. Without the Holy Spirit imploring from all the countries as well as from the participants themselves, it would not have been possible to live what we lived.

On January 6th, they participated in the "ten minutes by the crib" in the Adoration Church. During the morning a visit to Metternich, for the Documentation of the Marian Garden, was planned. But how could we resist to later visit the tomb of Sister Emilie? And there everyone was somewhat silent and with many desires in their hearts, in the presence of such a special model of life and filial giving of self.

On January 9th a visit to the Covenant House was planned with a Holy Mass in the house chapel and a meeting in the historic living room, that is, in the place where on Pentecost 1950, Father Kentenich gave conferences to the first course of the Federation Families, Siegrfried Breyer (1st Course) and Katharina Becker (2nd Course) gave a short report about those times.

The Apostolic Federation of International Families of Schoensatt was constituted

On January 14th the International Directors were elected and on January 15 they assumed their duties at the tomb of our Father with which the Apostolic Federation of International Families of Schoenstatt was constituted.

As it has already been made known, the elected were: Norbert and Renate Martin from Germany are the Leaders, Daniel and Maria Teresa Martino from Argentina, as 1st counselors, Ramon and Marite Marini from Paraguay, as 2nd counselors, and as 3rd counselors, Fernando and Maria Dolores La Rivera from Chile.

Rome and Horde

For the days of chapter, a minature Shrine of Rome was brought from Mount Moriah. It was placed at the side of the altar in the house chapel, in this way recalling the apostolic mission of the Federation of Families, to be loyal to the Church. A special surprise arrived, with it the "Tree of Life" from Horde, a sculpture that commemorates the founding of the Apostolic Federation of Schoenstatt on the 20th of August 1919 in Horde. In those days the iniatitive emerged not so much on the part of the students enrolled in the Schoenstatt Seminary, but from those who integrated themselves into the movement during the war, most of all, men, who wanted to maintain contact with Schoenstatt and to work towards its ends. The Apostolic Federation was founded, no longer being only an external branch of the congregation of the students of Schoenstatt. The sculpture, "Tree of Life", was in the parish in Horde for many years. During some remodeling, it was removed and then, precisely on January 8th, during chapter, it was donated and brought to Kentenich Hof where it could again be displayed.

In the heart of the church

The international chapter culminated with a pilgrimage to Rome. The families visited the main churches in Rome and the two Shrines. In two very special encounters, the Federation of Families presented their recently constituted international community first to Mons. Romer, of the Pontifcal Council for the Family, and then to Mons. Clemens, Pontifical Council for the Laity. An additonal well deserved commentary is that Mons. Romer, who is well versed in the art in St. Peter's, dedicated the whole afternoon to this group. He even had to speak to the guards to get permission to take us to places that are prohibited to the public. With what love he explained the details of the interior, that at first glance are not valued. For those of us who were there it was unforgettable! And this, not only for what we discovered in the Basilica, but more than anything for the Bishop's personality!

The highlight of the week was without a doubt the private audience with the Holy Father on January 20th. The Holy Father was greeted with applause and songs when he entered the Clementine Hall. The Holy Father spoke a few words and then each couple was able to get close to him. Also the Scepter of the German delegation and the image of Mother Thrice Admirable of the sculpture of Horde were blessed by him. Too bad that the time passed so quickly and it was time to leave.

It was not easy to leave this room with its beautiful frescoes and then to go down the stairs until once again reaching the great St. Peter's Plaza. For a moment time is suspended, for one last photo.

This is not only a story! At first there were many silent ejaculations, then a round of applause for our extrordinary private chauffer for the federation: Ansgar.

To drive a bus in Rome, with the phenomenal traffic, through very narrow streets, and, so many cars that come out from no where, and to come out that without a single scrape is really an art! More than once, and this was only possible, thanks to the help of our strong federation men, that not a few times, they simply moved cars that were parked wrong and blocked traffic.

Everything has to end. On January 21st, after a Mass on Holy Ground, the pilgrims began their return trip which took two days, passing through the snow covered Alps, finally arriving in Hillscheid. Once there they again went to the Shrine to give thanks for all they had experienced in these first three weeks of year 2005.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, Texas, USA

 

It is good that the family be the charism of your union

Papal address to the International Federation of Schoenstatt Families when he welcomed its general congress

Dear Brothers and Sister of the International Federation of Schoenstatt Families

1. At the conclusion of general chapter, you have come on pilgrimage to Rome to pray before the tombs of the apostles and to renew before the successor of Peter your loyalty to the Church. Your visit gives me great pleasure and I heartily welcome you here, in the Pope's home! May these days in the Eternal City be a time of grace, in which all of you may experience the closeness of God and his saints!

2. The future of humanity is forged in the family!" (apostolic letter "Familiaris consortio", 86).Until now you have dedicated yourself to understanding in a profound manner matrimony and family in the light of the faith. It is good that the family be the charism of your union. The family is a "school of love". Transmit to the people your enthusiasm for matrimony and the family! Today society has more need then ever of healthy families that are able to defend common values. If we fortify the sacred institution of matrimony and the family with the divine design, love and soidarity will grow among the people.

3. Dear brothers and sisters! The Year of the Eucharist is an urgent invitation for all of us to find" in the supreme sacrament of love the source of all communion" (message for the World Youth Day of Peace, 2005). Rediscover the incredibly great gift of the Eucharist! In this way you will be able to "fully live the beauty and the mission of the family" ( apostolic letter "Mane nobiscum Domine", 30 ). Through the intercession of the Mother Thrice Admirable I heartily impart the apostolic blessing.