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“La Juventud de Schoenstatt espera con alegría al nuevo Papa” “The Schoenstatt Youth is joyfully looking forward to the new Pope” Das große Transparent spricht für sich! |
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Schoenstatt saluda al nuevo Papa Schoenstatt greets the new Pope Schönstatt grüßt den neuen Papst |
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El nuevo Papa saluda a su iglesia The new Pope greets his church Der neue Papst grüßt seine Kirche |
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¿Donde reina más alegría, en Baviera, o en Schoenstatt? Where is more joy, in Bavaria or in Schoenstatt? Und wo ist nun mehr Freude, in Bayern oder in Schönstatt? |
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Una iglesia joven y entusiasmada A young, excited church Eine junge, begeisterte, bewegte Kirche |
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Misa de la Juventud en Belmonte Youth Mass at Belmonte Jugendmesse in Belmonte Fotos: Schaich © 2005 |
ROM, Michaela Schaich. After the surprise on April 19, that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was chosen as the new pope, no doubt existed for the German Schoenstatt youth: We set off to greet our German pope!
On different initiatives bigger groups from Munich, Fulda, Freiburg, and Ulm started in the direction of Rome. Most by car, twelve hours and more on the highways of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
Belmonte becomes the homeland...
Some youth definetly decided to accommodate in Belmonte – directly in the shade of the new Matri Ecclesiae shrine. Those present for the dedication of the shrine were surprised at how by Divine Providence, the Blessed Mother had again led them to Belmonte... They could spend the night at the parish home of the Saint Gemma parish where the priest had immediately accomodated the Schoenstatt youth.
On Saturday evening Fr. Antonio Portalatin, a Puerto Rican Schoenstatt Diocesan priest who lives in Rome, offered to celebrate the Mass for the youth in Belmonte. He described impressively his experiences which he might experience the last weeks on St. Peters square.
A short stroll away, over some pizza, preparations were made for Sunday. Posters to write on, flags to fasten, photo cameras, check...
How does one get a seat without being a V.I.P ...?
On Sunday the alarm clocks rang at 4:30am, and everyone got up to immediately go towards St. Peters square. The initial tiredness had quickly faded when masses of people came into the streets all around St. Peters square. We reached Via della Conciliazione before the last barrier of St. Peter square. Then at half past eight this was opened and suddenly we could get directly near the obelisk of seats and thus bring the painted banners into view.
The mood in St. Peters square was uplifting – many German and Bavarian flags, and also some Schoenstatt flags were to be seen. Many youth had set off to greet Pope Benedict XVI and to be present live with his inauguration. His sermon was clear: Pope Benedict XVI positions himself on the side of the youth. He wants to encourage the youth to live their belief. He gave the following words to the young people of the whole world: "Today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything."
Over and over again loud cheering interrupted his sermon; the people felt addressed and understood. A very impressive Eucharist celebration made the service perfect.
Viva Benedetto – come to World Youth Day!
After the service we had the great opportunity to stand directly in the center aisle and could thus see Benedict XVI "live" when he went by with his pope-mobile blessing the crowd. From all sides there sounded a "Viva Benedetto" and incredibly many world youth day flags were swung. In spite of initial criticism, it has become clear during these days: We are excited about world youth day. The Schoenstatt youth is happy about Benedict XVI!
Translation: Beth Rockers, USA
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