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Visita al Santuario de Bellavista, 1988 Visit to the Shrine in Bellavista, 1988 Besuch im Heiligtum von Bellavista, 1988 |
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Momentos de encuentro con la familia de Schoenstatt Moments of encounter with the Schoenstatt family Begegnung mit der Schönstattfamilie |
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Camino al Santuario On the way to the Shrine Auf dem Weg zum Heiligtum |
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Una persona cordial, humilde, amable... A warm-hearted, simple, friendly person... Ganz anders als das Image: ein herzlicher, einfacher, liebenwürdiger Mensch Fotos: Tagle/Vinculo © 2005 |
CHILE, Octavio Galarce. In the year 1988, Cardinal Ratzinger visited Chile for a week. On that occasion he visited the Bellavista Shrine. Vinculo, the magazine of the Schoenstatt Movement in Chile, in its edition number 26, reported this event, which now in retrospect is of great importance for the Schoenstatt Family. Cristina Tagle, the author of that article, of that time, wrote on the 20th of April: "I was in Mass at the Shrine when the bells started ringing. At the end of the Mass someone came to say : it is Cardinal Ratzinger, and they began to pray for him. We consecrated him, we sang and we began to love him immediately. I remembered that when he was in the Shrine in 1988, and afterwards I wrote an article in Vinculo which has been beautiful to reread. In that article he said that it was a very special day for him because it was the date that he celebrated his first Mass and it was the 8th of July! I wrote "What a coincidence! Father, on his 78th anniversary of his first Mass, must be blessing him from heaven.
This is the article from that time just as it was published in 1988.
Cardinal Ratzinger visited the Bellavista Shrine
Cristina Quiroz de Tagle.Observing the atmosphere of joy and nervousness that reigned around the Shrine of Bellavista at 4:30 p.m. on the 8th of July, we could not help thinking that Cardinal Ratzinger's visit was a small compensation for that futile wait: the day that John Paul II "passed like a flash" according to the title of the article that had previously appeared in Vinculo. We truly feel honored to have this very important representative of the Holy Father in our Shrine of Bellavista, who efficiently backs him from his position as Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.
He appeared punctually at the scheduled time, surrounded by guards and newsmen who moved around him with their cameras and tape recorders. Thanks to the presence of the media, the Shrine of Bellavista and the Cardinal appeared on the television newscasts and his words were published by the newspapers El Mercurio, La Tercera, La Epoca, and others.
Hundreds of persons gathered to wait for him. The Shrine was beautiful and without a doubt the Cardinal spent some good moments in the presence of the Blessed Mother. Father Sydney Fones welcomed him, a couple of beautiful songs were sung, and the illustrious visitor was given time to pray.
His fame as an intellectual, which preceded Monsignor Ratzinger, makes us imagine him very differently. We thought that such an intelligent theologian, a kind of guardian of the integrity of the Magisterium of the Church, should be cold, pompous, aloof. But we encountered a simple, humble man, full of peace and cordiality.
When he came out he had a warm encounter with the Family. There were priests, sisters, ladies, neighbors, some couples, some youth. He spoke to us with very warm words, said very pleasantly, translated very well by Father Joaquin Alliende. He said that Schoenstatt was always very close to him because his secretary in Rome was a Sister of Mary. "Furthermore -he said- there is an important Schoenstatt presence in the Congregation. In our chapel there is a picture of the Mother Thrice Admirable. It was placed there by our predecessor, Cardinal Ottaviani". (great acclamations and applause). He specially congratulated the Schoenstatt Family for its apostolate, for the great work they do propagating Jesus' love for the Virgin and for supporting the Church. He also expressed his wish that the Movement continue to extend itself throughout the world and especially in Chile. His last words brought forth more applause. He said that this day was very special for him, since it was the day that he had said his first Mass. What a happy coincidence! We believe that Father Kentenich, who on the same day, is celebrating his 78th anniversary of priesthood in heaven, took the opportunity to send him a blessing. Finally, he added: "Thanks to everyone. Continue working each time with more enthusiasm".
When he said farewell, he took the time to shake hands with everyone who was introduced to him. Throughout his walk he greeted all who approached him. The very nervous organizers, kept saying that they would be late to the Seminary where they were waiting for him. Finally, the automobile in which he was riding left hurriedly. Some little girls ran after it carrying a big picture of the Blessed Mother that they wanted him to bless. The Cardinal had the auto stop and before imparting the blessing, he spoke a few words to them. Upon departing towards the Pontifical Seminary he left us with a very joyful sensation of belonging to our Mother Church.
Father Sidney's greeting to Cardinal Ratzinger
Very esteemed Cardinal
For our Schoenstatt Family in Chile it is a joy to receive you today in the Shrine of the Blessed Mother to share in a moment of prayer for the universal Church, our Church of Chile, and for you.
In September 1985 in Rome, you presided the Eucharistic in Saint Mary Major with which the German Schoenstatt pilgrims celebrated, at the feet of St. Peter, Our Founder, Father Kentenich's centennial. In your homily, you stressed that the Covenant that Father Kentenich sealed in 1914, in Schoenstatt, Germany, with Mary, the Mother of the Lord, and which is extended today in this Family, was the way to be Church, because She is the Church personified. Furthermore, you said that this apparently insignificant Covenant had shown, over a long period of time, to be stronger and more lasting than the covenants of power of the most powerful in this world; this Covenant has created a community of loyal and fruitful love. This Shrine that you visit today was blessed by Father Kentenich 40 years ago and it has been a home and workshop of education of that Covenant. Our Schoenstatt Family in Chile has 7,000 members throughout the country who have sealed that Covenant. And providentially today, we celebrate another anniversary of the priestly ordination of our Founder. The fruit of his priesthood is that Covenant and this Family. But not only that: 40 years ago, here in Chile, the founder placed on this altar an important work directed to the German Episcopate about the situation of the Church at that time. This act unleashed many misunderstandings, and by action of the Holy See he was separated from his work for almost 14 years. Today you, Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, come to this Family formed in a profound loyalty and love of the Church and to Peter.
For all this we are joyful, we praise the Blessed Trinity and Mary, our Mother, and we renew our love of the Church, while we pray with you.
Translation: Celina M. Garza, Harlingen, TX,. USA