Allies of the Blessed Mother

2^nd Encounter of the National Schoenstatt Family of Italy

Encuentro de la familia de Schoenstatt de Italia: Rosario Meditado, en frente al Santuario Matri Ecclesiae Meeting of the Schoenstatt Family in Italy: Meditated Rosary in front of the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine Treffen der Schönstattfamilie von Italien: Betrachtender Rosenkranz vor dem Matri Ecclesiae-Heiligtum
Conferencia del Padre Ludovico Tedeschi Conference of Fr. Ludovico Tedeschi Vortrag von P. Ludovico Tedeschi
La Familia reunida bajo la carpa The family gathered in the tent Die Schönstattfamilie im Zelt
Misa de cierre del encuentro: Padre Reglinski (Polonia), Padre Juan Carlos Cortez (Chile), Mons. Ignacio Sanna (Roma), Padre Ludovico Tedeschi (Roma) y Padre Alberto Eronti (Roma). (de izq.) Closing Mass: Father Reglinski (Poland), Fr. Juan Carlos Cortez (Chile), Mons. Ignacio Sanna (Rome), Fr. Ludovico Tedeschi (Rome), and Fr. Alberto Eronti (Roma). (from left.) Abschlussmesse: P. Reglinski (Polonia), P. Juan Carlos Cortez (Chile), Mons. Ignacio Sanna (Rom), P. Ludovico Tedeschi (Roma) und P. Alberto Eronti (Rom). (von links.) Fotos: Abram © 2005

ITALY, Father Alberto Eronti. The day was cool; the temperature was somewhat low for the season, but comfortable to spend the day outdoors. Saturday, the 11^th of June 2005, the grounds of Belmonte were prepared for what would be the second encounter of the Schoenstatt Family of Italy two years after the first one. Last year the encounter was suspended to center all attention on the blessing of the Shrine in Belmonte. The white tent of welcome is elevated on the high part of the grounds, ready to shelter some one hundred delegates mostly from the Schoenstatt Centers in Italy, finally they will experience being family again.

At 9:00 a.m. most of the participants were present, coming from Venice to Sicily. The Sisters of Mary from the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine also participated. The Sisters of Mary from Brazil, who work at different places in Italy, added a joyful note with music and songs, Diocesan Priests, Schoenstatt Fathers and the Institute of Families also attended.

The Covenant of Love, our response

At the scheduled time everyone met in the Shrine to begin the encounter in the place of grace. After the welcome under the direction of Father Ludovico Tedeschi, a meditated Rosary was prayed, that had been lovingly prepared by Sister M. Lisianne. Then they went to the tent where after the greeting from Mr. Romano Marco, the first conference presented by Father Ludovico took place. He explained the meaning of the motto for the encounter: The Covenant of Love, our response. Starting with the name of the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine, Father, explained the urgent needs of the Church and of society; making special reference to the attacks that the family and the person suffer at the present time. What is the response to this reality? The Covenant is our response! The Covenant of Love with Mary in the Shrine is the axis of our response to the problems that burden us. We are not alone before the difficulties of each day, Mary is with us, she walks with us, and she acts on our behalf. The conference not only illuminated the present, but the motto remained as a true guide for the year.

A fruitful relationship between the parishes and the Campaign

Then the designated persons gave their testimonies about the experience of being an "ally of Mary". The reports were impressive; each one of the persons who related their experiences told some very moving life experiences. Without a doubt, the "stars" were the coordinators of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. To hear their experiences taking the Blessed Mother to the families was truly impressive. To identify the similarities, I would say there were three: Mary awakens the desire for personal and family prayer, and she fills hearts with peace and serenity. It is important to stress that the places where the Campaign is the strongest, the pastors have begun to pray a Covenant Mass on the 18^th of each month. Something that is very useful for these encounters is the flyers with the title: "An encounter of prayer on Covenant of Love Day". It should also be stressed, that in general, there is a fruitful relationship between the parishes and the Campaign, which allows the coordinators to work freely and with spiritual support. We see that the persevering and silent work of the Sisters of Mary from Brazil and of Father Ludovico have had results. The Parish of St. Gema, where the Shrine of Belmonte is located, deserves special mention. Father Federico’s warmth and his relationship with Father Ludovico and the Abram’s, has produced abundant fruits.

Until next year

After lunch, was the appropriate time to get to know one another, to exchange experiences and to share time together, there was time for Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine which brought everything back to the center, He, who in the words of Father Kentenich, "is the center" of all our spiritual life: the Son of God and Son of Mary. Then there were more testimonies and they prepared for the celebration of the final Mass, presided by Monsignor Ignazio Sanna, Rector of the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine. The homily, covered the readings of the day, he spoke of the Covenant as the center of the history between God and man, discipleship as the radical following of Christ, of the role of Mary as Mother of the Church and of how the Gospel ends,: "What we receive freely, we must give freely".

With this he returned to the motto of the encounter: "The Covenant, our response". Freely you were called to seal the Covenant of Love with Mary; freely you should take it to those around you.

The most emotional time came after the Mass: the farewells. Because, comparing this year with the first encounter two years ago, we notice that we have been given the grace of being more of a family, of experiencing the attachments more deeply, of sharing the same mission. Some simply and spontaneously said farewell with a "until next year". So be it!

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA