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Participantes (muy) jovenes de la JMJ... en Sleepy Eye Young - very young – participants of “World Youth Day” in Sleepy Eye Junge (sehr junge) “WJT”-Teilnehmerinnen in Sleepy Eye |
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Chicas entre 5 – 8 años, con sus estrellitas Girls ages 5 – 8 with their Stars Fünf- bis Achtjährige mit ihren Sternen |
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Miren nuestras estrellas! Crafting stars Schaut euch unsere Sterne an! |
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Coro de secundarias High school musicians in action Jugendliche Musikmacher voll in Aktion |
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Cajitas de tesoro para el capital de gracias Treasure Boxes for the Capital of Grace Schatztruhen für das Gnadenkapital |
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Alianza de Amor de Apostoles de Maria Covenant of Love of Marian Apostles Marienapostel schließen ihr Liebesbündnis |
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Día de Alianza: entrega del capital de gracias Covenant Day: offering the capital of grace Bündnistag: Schwenken des Gnadenkapitals |
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“Asando” malvaviscos Roasting marshmallows Hier warden Marshmallows gegrillt Fotos: Niehaus © 2005 |
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USA, Sr. M. Deanne Niehaus. It isn’t far from Cologne, Germany, to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, when it comes to participating in World Youth Day! Over 300 girls attended seven events in June and July of 2005 with the theme: "We have come to worship him!" The theme for World Youth Day crossed the boundary of the ocean to inspire young women ages five to eighteen.
"Most of us are too young to attend World Youth Day, but this was a great way to spiritually participate in this great youth gathering in Germany," shared one enthusiastic camper. The Christmas decorations in the Retreat Center added to the accent of joining the three magi in their search for the King. Each girl made a treasure box where they collected contributions to the capital of grace. These contributions were offered for the name of one of the participants going to World Youth Day from the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth in the USA. "I drew the name of my friend. I can’t go but I sure can pray that she has a good experience and maybe even gets to see the Pope!"
A letter to Pope Benedict
During the week camps, the girls had time for adoration and could sign a letter to be sent to Pope Benedict XVI. The girls were happy to share their joy, their love, and their prayers for our new Holy Father. One girl shared: "My whole family went wild when we heard that Pope Benedict was elected. We thank our new Holy Father for carrying on the work of our dear Papa – John Paul’s – work with the youth!"
The youngest campers who were five to eight years old attended one of two day camps. They enjoyed the story of the three magi and animated the story with waving their own designed stars at appropriate times. The girls also visited the Schoenstatt Shrine where they found Jesus – like the three Magi did. Here they learned how to genuflect, like the magi, before the greatness of our Savior–King in the tabernacle.
Follow the star
The High School age girls could more intensely look at the importance of following the star in their life. They looked at how they could find their personal ideal and follow this star. As part of their camp they also wrote Stations of the Cross that reflected on themes from Pope John Paul II’s letter preparing the youth of the world for World Youth Day. In the near by town of New Ulm, they could pray the Stations of the Cross at the beautiful outdoor stations that were recently renovated.
At the end of the week camps, a play, written by one of the leaders, was presented. This play included the arrival of the three magi bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then a TV interview took place with girls going to World Youth Day from Germany and from the USA. These interviews highlighted the importance of Cologne as the place for World Youth Day. The relics of the three magi in the Cathedral could be explained to the parents. Also the Original Shrine in Schoenstatt, Germany, was explained in an interview fashion.
It’s better than any five star hotels and I know why.
Girls have been coming to Schoenstatt Camp in Minnesota for 40 years. Some of the campers this year had mothers who had been to camp. So here’s from the girls themselves why they like to come to camp!
"I go to Schoenstatt because I love to meet new people. I also like the sisters and counselors. They are cool. I like the crafts and playing capture the flag. Going to the shrine is awesome too."
-- a camper from Week 1
"The reason I go to Schoenstatt camp is for the spirituality. They teach you so much about Mary and Jesus. I think it’s very important to know your religion. I love how they make learning so fun and how they include everyone in it."
A fourth time camper from the Twin Cities
"I am so used to a nice but glamorous home. I am used to staying up late and getting up really late (well, in the summer). At Schoenstatt the rooms are very plain, with creaky beds and adorned simply with a picture of Mary and Jesus and a crucifix. Schoenstatt is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s better than any five star hotels and I know why. It’s because of a small building to the left of the Schoenstatt home. It’s the shrine. The shrine pours forth graces from Mary, God, and Jesus. You can feel the love and presence flowing from the shrine and into the hearts of all who come there. Although this is only my second time at Schoenstatt it already has a very special spot in my heart.
----- A. C. 13 years old
"I enjoy coming to camp, because when I come I find a special grace that helps me to understand different situations in life, and struggles I have been having that at home I can’t find the answer to."
------ June camper 2005
Top ten reasons why I come to the Shrine
"Here are the top ten reasons I came to the shrine:
1. It’s fun
2. It’s peaceful
3. I feel at home.
4. The sisters are nice.
5. The food is really good
6. Jump the River is awesome
7. The cookies we bake
8. The friends we make
9. The new dorms are great.
10. Obvious, isn't it?"
----- A camper
"Why I come to Schoenstatt every year is because I love meeting new people, praying, and playing. I also love how the sisters care about all of us."
B. N. - MN age 11
World Youth Day in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, USA – we continue our journey to Cologne, Germany! "We have come to worship him!" so if you attend physically wave at the cameras to our girls who attended spiritually!