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Peregrinación anual de la diocesis de Brownsville al Santuario en Rockport/Lamar Annual pilgrimage of the diocese of Brwonsville to the Shrine in Rockport/Lamar Jährliche Wallfahrt der Diözese Brownsville zum Heiligtum in Rockport/Lamar |
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Misa Mass Messe |
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Antes de la coronación Before the crowning Vor der Krönung |
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El P. Héctor Vega presenta la corona Fr. Hector Vega presenting the crown P. Hector Verga mit der neuen Krone |
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Coronación Crowning Krönung |
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Adoración de Jesús en el Sacramento de la Eucaristía Adoration of Jesús in the Most Holy Sacrament Anbetung Jesu im Allerheiligsten Fotos: Cantú © 2005 |
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USA, Carlos Cantu. The occasion was the Annual Pilgrimage to the Schoenstatt Shrine in Rockport/Lamar, Texas from the Brownsville Diocese, a three to four hour trip depending on which city you are traveling from. The day began with pilgrims anxious to greet the Blessed Mother hurrying to Her Confidentia Shrine. As a highlight of the day, the annual crowning of the Blessed Mother took place, this year under the title: Living Monstrance.
The Shrine filled quickly and soon there was standing room only while many waited outside the Shrine for their turn to enter. Many came to give Her thanks for favors received, others came with hearts filled with petitions and needs, and others came to visit Her for the first time in Her Schoenstatt Shrine. There was a lady who has been coming to the Confidentia Shrine for many years. She would always come with her husband and family. This was Sunday, May 22nd and she had buried her husband less than a week ago. She told that she had to come, she had to give thanks to the Virgin, and she had to ask the Virgin to help her as she continued on her journey without her husband. How many other stories could not have been told? What great faith these people have and how much can we not learn from them? Shortly past 10 A.M. the singing of the traditional "mañanitas"(good morning) to the Blessed Mother began. More than 700 pilgrims raised their hearts in song to the Blessed Mother. After the "mañanitas" a prayer of greeting followed and then more singing continued with the "Buenos Días Paloma Blanca" which in translation means "Good Morning White Dove." With the pilgrims from Los Fresnos, Texas came four sisters who are working in that parish. They belong to a Mexican order, the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Family. Musically inclined, they had brought along their instruments and they were a help to our Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. They continued to help throughout the Spanish Mass and delighted everyone with a beautiful coronation song they like to sing. This added to the solemnity of Our Lady’s coronation in the afternoon.
Simultaneous Masses in English and Spanish
Talks in both English and Spanish were given by our Schoenstatt Fathers, Frs. Héctor Vega and Christian Christensen. The emphasis was on our Blessed Mother and the Year of the Eucharist. This year we crowned Our Blessed Mother as Mary, Our Living Monstrance. So many were the pilgrims that simultaneous masses had to be held, one in Spanish and one in English, one upstairs and one downstairs. For us as organizers this was suddenly quite a task since the decision for the two masses was not made until we saw the need that morning. Nevertheless, everything worked out fine and a prayerful atmosphere prevailed. After Holy Mass, everyone made their way to either the pavilion or a nice shady place where they could enjoy their picnic lunches which they had brought along for the day. At 2 P.M. everyone gathered in the training center for the praying of the Holy Rosary. A beautiful bilingual rosary was recited.
Give us the grace to dare to show our love, reverence, and respect for Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
After the Holy Rosary, a solemn procession began. The special crown for Our Mother and Queen was brought up by several members of a family. The crown had been specially made for this day, for Mary, Our Living Monstrance. The coronation prayer was prayed in English and then in Spanish. " Dear Mother and Queen, increase our love for Christ your Son in the Holy Eucharist and help us to always receive Him with reverence. Give us the grace to dare to show our love, reverence, and respect for Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Bless our efforts in the Brownsville Diocese to further the growth of the Schoenstatt Movement through groups, evangelization, and the Rosary Campaign. As we continue the work of our Father and Founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, may his love for the Church become manifest in us and thus lead him to the honors of the altar. Through the hands of our Father and Founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, we crown you today as MARY, OUR LIVING MONSTRANCE. Amen"
Following this all renewed the Covenant of Love in both languages. Benediction followed the crowning. In conclusion, each pilgrim was given a special holy card. On one side, the card was a picture of a monstrance resting on the little carpet found in the Founder Chapel where Father Kentenich entered into the eternal Schoenstatt. The back side had the date of May 22, 2005, the title MARY,OUR LIVING MONSTRANCE! and the words "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never be hungry, he who believes will never thirst."-John 6:35.