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Te coronamus, Reina fiel... We crown you, faithful Queen... Königin, wir krönen dich… |
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Saludando a la Reina en el Santuario de Querétaro Greeting the Queen in the Shrine in Querétaro Als erstes wird die Königin im Heiligtum begrüßt |
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Procesión de entrada Entrance procession Einzug der Pilger |
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Coronación Crowning Krönung |
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Recibe la corona... Accept the crown... Wir reichen dir die Krone... |
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Momentos de oración en el Santuario jubilar Prayer in the Shrine Stille Begegnung im Gebet Fotos: Perezcuerva/Wagner © 2005-06-07 |
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MEXICO, Roberto and Mary Perezcuervo/Isabel Wagner. In Spanish, E-E-E are the mysterious initials which mean: enriching, spiritual, experience - such as was experienced by those who participated in the annual Metropolitan Pilgrimage of Mexico during the Silver Jubilee of the Shrine "Mary, Mother and Queen, faithful heart of the Church", in Queretaro.
On the last Saturday of May at six o’clock in the morning, "an unChristian hour" (unchristliche Zeit), as Father Ralph called it, they began the trip from Mexico City to Queretaro, responding in this way to the annual invitation of the Blessed Mother of Schoenstatt, to visit her in the Shrine.
A new attribute of the rosary: it unsnarls traffic!
The organizers and the participants of this modern pilgrimage for the Metropolitan area were very active, who together with the families of the Schoenstatt Movement, were able to attend in 14 buses, 8 automobiles (with a total of 553 persons). The joy of going on pilgrimage as a family began when step by step, or better said, stop by stop, the buses began to fill, like the Satelite #3. Roberto Perezcuervo says: "Agustin and Tere Delgado were punctually present at 6:00 a.m. at the parking lot of San Fernando Church in the Esmeralda area, ready to receive those who would join in this stupendous and beautiful event. A few minutes later the family of Sergio and Marycarmen Aguirre arrived, who were in charge of the esteemed and exciting act of crowning the large picture of Our Lady of Schoenstatt in front of the Shrine in Queretaro accompanied by their two joyful offspring, Sergio and Hector. The time passed quickly and finally everyone arrived before the arrival of the motorcar SATELITE #3, with four families on board: Beto and Lupita Rosas, who have belonged to the Satelite group for six years - and Eduardo and Maria de Lourdes Lopez, who have belonged for one year, along with two invited families, Fausto and Minerva Lopez and Jesus and Paty Alonzo. It must have been 7:10 a.m. when we started on our way to our destination with "35", who were "chosen" and called by the Blessed Mother of Schoenstatt. It is interesting to note that several families who were unable to attend for whatever reason, quickly found out about the success of our pilgrimage and they made a firm promise to join us next year. Agustin and Tere gave each one a "Welcome" pamphlet with the schedule of activities, a booklet "On the way to the Schoenstatt Shrine" which served as a guide for the pilgrim, a rosary and a commemorative handkerchief, which would identify us. Unity was quickly established in two sections: in the front, with the adults; and in the back with the youth of our families; enthusiastically supported by the couples: Avalos and Aguirre.." To which Isabel Wagner adds: "At daybreak we fell into chaos on the ramp leading to Vallejo and Tenayuca. Thousands of trucks, tow trucks, buses, and cars impeded our progress. Instead of despairing we started to pray the rosary, which not only was a sedative for our nerves, but it was a marvelous way to unsnarl the traffic, and we finally made it to the highway. The excitement grew as the time, which passed quickly, elapsed and finally in a holy amen we were in the patio of the parking lot for buses at the Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt. The first visit to the Shrine was quickly organized to personally greet and present our gratitude, offerings and petitions, which we knew would be heard by our Mother if it is for our salvation. We greeted the Blessed Mother with songs and prayers - the latter were directed by Father Marcial Parada, and the first were led by the In Xochitl In Cuicatle
Choir, (Flower and Song), by Carlos Ramon Infante and with some couples from Queretaro".
A flame which lights a new fire of love
The program was carried out with discipline, propriety, order and friendliness on the part of Sister Christine and Father Marcial Parada, who made time to greet everyone and still continue with their concrete tasks as cordial coordinators of our visit. It was an educational program where faith deeply reigned in the hearts that were open and active,
We learned how to learn, in order to transform ourselves and be living witnesses of the Church in our daily lives. It began in the Pilgrims Hall with a presentation of the 25 years of history of the Shrine, which was presented with the most modern computer technology, but with the human warmth of a live narrative. This was followed by a talk given by Father Marcial Parada Cardemil, of the Institute of Schoenstatt Fathers, until finally it was time for the crowning of "Mary, Mother and Queen, Faithful Heart of the Church", which was the preamble to the Covenant of Love, for pilgrims as well as for those who would renew their covenant. The climax was when Sergio and Marycarmen, crowned the Blessed Mother of Schoenstatt on behalf of all of the pilgrims: "We crown you as our Mother, Thrice Admirable Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt, who has been established in our Shrine for 25 years. You are joyful because the flame of that first love is still alive even after such a long time and now you inflame a new fire of love…" After the Covenant of Love, the expectant mothers were blessed along with their husbands and children, and also all the children who were present. The Eucharistic celebration followed, in which all of us could again enjoy the songs of the choir mentioned above. During the offertory the boxes containing the Capital of Grace were presented.
Miraculous multiplication of bread and fish
After the Mass, it was time for a break, free time to obtain souvenirs, prayer cards, rosaries, medals - and also a time to enjoy and share a meal. According to Isabel: "I have sometimes suspected that the miraculous multiplication of bread and fish came about because everyone present shared their food with their neighbor, that is why there was enough food and there were even forty baskets left". Pilgrims could be seen in the shade of the trees, sitting and happily sharing their food and conversation. After Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and receiving the Eucharistic blessing, close to four o’clock in the afternoon, the participants said farewell to the Blessed Mother with the hymn "Farewell Queen of Heaven, Mother of the Savior". Once on the buses, as we left Queretaro, gratitude was expressed for this pilgrimage, and ideas flourished regarding the experience, family, shared time, friendships that were established, joy of belonging to a family with morals and values.
During the return trip, there was a heavy rain. On the way, the landscape - according to several persons - could have been that of Father Kentenich’s country: the ground covered with snow, which only by looking carefully could it be discovered that it was hail instead of snow. Throughout the return trip, they enjoyed the fields, which on the way up were dry and arid while now they were green, fresh and as radiant as the pilgrims.
All the month of October will be a feast
The Silver Jubilee of the Schoenstatt Shrine in Queretaro. "Mother and Queen, Faithful Heart of the Church" proposes to express gratitude for all the fruits that have been received and to renew the commitment of unity and of the task of the Apostolic Family of Schoenstatt. The Shrine in Queretaro will be celebrating from the 15th until the 23rd of October.
The opening of the jubilee week will take place on Saturday, the 15th of October, with a Eucharistic Celebration. During the week there will be daily Mass, Schoenstatt Expo, conferences, artistic events, time for sharing, etc. On Tuesday, the 18th , Covenant Day, at 6:00 p.m., the Statue of Father Joseph Kentenich, Founder of the Schoenstatt Work, will be unveiled, followed by a solemn Eucharistic celebration. The closing of the Jubilee Year will be on Sunday, October 23rd.
Two beloved members of the Schoenstatt Family have been especially invited to participate in this great feast in October: Sister M. Petra, who was Father Kentenich’s secretary for some years during his time in Milwaukee and Father Antonio Maria Borges, Schoenstatt Father, composer of many Schoenstatt songs, who has presented massive concerts in many countries.
Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, Texas, USA