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Los futuros padres recibieron velas, libritos de oración, y zapatillos tejidos a mano The future parents received candles, prayer books, and little hand-knitted baby shoes Mit Kerzen, Gebetsbüchlein und handgestrickte Babyschühchen in der Hand konnten die werdenden Eltern gestärkt aus dem Elternsegengottesdienst der Geburt ihrer Kinder entgegen gehen. |
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El Padre Wolfgang Kesenheimer bendice una madre embarazada Fr. Wolfgang Kesenheimer blessed a pregnant mother Während Pfarrer Wolfgang Kesenheimer einer werdende Mutter den Muttersegen spendet, schenken die Schönstattmütter den werdenden Eltern am Altar entzündete Kerzen, Gebetsbüchlein und handgestrickte Babyschühchen. |
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También los maridos y niños de las madres embarazadas recibieron la bendición Also the husbands, and children of the pregnant mothers received the blessing Auch die Partner und Kinder der werdenden Mütter empfingen den Einzelsegen von Pfarrer Wolfgang Kesenheimer bei dem Mutter- und Elternsegen-Gottesdienst in Sankt Lambertus Mingolsheim. Fotos: Ries © 2005 |
Germany, Nadia Ries. "Encounter Christ - and you will be a blessing". This slogan, the current annual theme of the Schönstatt movement of mothers and women in Germany, was the theme for a special family mass celebrated in Bad Schönborn-Mingolsheim (south of Heidelberg). Father Wolfgang Kesenheimer blessed twelve expecting mothers and their partners and older children to the sound of the song "Gottes Guter Segen sei mit Euch" ("God's good blessing be with you"). Fr. Kesenheimer, speaking emotionally, strengthened the young families on their way to fulfilling God's plan. This being the first Sunday of Lent, he was also able to cite from the pastoral letter sent do the diocese by Archbishop Dr. Robert Zollitsch, which focuses on "Hope" - amongst others, hope for the unborn child.
The parents - and their older children - received individual blessings during the service, which was organised by the local mother's group. A year ago, the first mass of this kind was celebrated in St. Lambert. This year, double the number of parents publicly declared their will to children. "It takes courage to come forward here today - I'm glad, that you are giving this testimony publicly and purposely," said Fr. Kesenheimer to the young parents-to-be just before the blessing. He explained the meaning behind the blessing in simple but powerful words: "God holds his hand over you and he will never pull it away!" This is true for the unborn life as well.
Accompanied by blessing and prayer
All over Germany, the Schönstatt movement hat encouraged the revival of the mother and parent blessing to emphasise God's approval of children, according to Hannelore Spannagel, the chairwoman for mothers and women in the diocese of Freiburg. "For many young mothers and fathers, this is the first contact the have with the church after a long pause and perhaps it gives them an impulse to have their child baptised. Spannagel refers to the fact, that Schönstatt women have been praying a special verse of the rosary especially for the unborn children from the first to the ninth of each month and this for the past fifty years. An idea, that Fr. Kesenheimer took up in his sermon. Turning to the young parents, he said: "You can be assured to know, that there are people in the background praying for you in this new situation."
Especially in this "Year of the Eucharist" it is very important to encounter Christ, so the priest, who refers to Jesus as "the Lord's biggest present for us!" But blessings are also from God, he continued. "When we bless, we are only the tool through which God can shine!" He encouraged all people to "bless and to be a blessing".
He also praised those women, who had not wanted a child, but had given birth to it, thus choosing life!
"Strength to make it through the birth, even though I am really frightened"
Despite modern technology and medical diagnostic, women and men still have some fear of the actual birth process. Therefore the parent blessing could be viewed as a primary right for expecting couples. Alfred and Elke Lang from the town of Kronau considered this one of the main reasons, why they attended the mass. "We are a Christian family and it is important to us, that our child experiences that even before birth," so the father-to-be. "The blessing means strength for me," explains Elke Lang. "Strength to make it through the birth, even though I am really frightened." Both left the "touching" mass with a feeling of calm and strength, they said. As a souvenir, the young families received candles, hand-knit baby-booties and a prayer booklet from the local Schönstatt group.
Blessings all over the diocese of Freiburg
"The dignity of life in all phases" - especially before birth - is important to the Schönstatt movement's women and mothers, explains Hanne Spannagel. For this reason, a short meditation after the holy communion in the mass remembered all those children who weren't allowed to be born. This is another reason for the parent blessing masses, continues Spannagel. "We want to cast a positive atmosphere for life and point out clearly that God renews his "Yes!" to life in each new child.
In the meantime, masses like this are taking place all over the diocese. From the Gynaecological Clinic in Freiburg to Albruck or Oberkirch - the masses find a broad acceptance. Quite understandable, so Fr. Kesenheimer. "The church must represent the human face of God and approach the whole person," comments the priest in respect to the extended meaning behind blessings. Also, the community is taken more seriously, for example, in organising masses or in preparing families for their child's baptism. Experience parents "can say much more than a priest can." Still, the parent blessing holds a special place amongst the many types of blessings offered by the church. "here you have a young couple, happy to be receiving new life and this amidst a society, which the pope has compared to a "Culture of Death". It is important that this couple be supported by the church, thus strengthening their will to the child and accompanying the child on its way."
Translation: Nadia Ries, Germany