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Santuario de Schoenstatt en Monte Sión Gikungu, Bujumbura, Burundi Schoenstatt Shrine in Mont Sion Gikungu, Bujumbura, Burundi Schoenstatt-Heiligtum auf Mont Sion in Gikungu, Bujumbura, Burundi |
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Peregrinos en el Santuario Pilgrims in the Shrine Pilger im Heiligtum |
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Ya en la mañana del sábado llegaron los primeros miembros del movimiento, que llegaban a pie desde diversas colinas. Los primeros en llegar fueron sobretodo jóvenes (Pioneros y Aliadas) y niños de la escuela primaria (Apóstoles de María y Escuderos). Al atardecer del sábado podíamos constatar que habían llegado más de 500 schoenstattianos, incluyendo las ramas de madres, de familias, de jóvenes y niños. En total esa noche: 280 schoenstattianas y 240 schoenstattianos. Early in the morning of Saturday the first pilgrims arrived, after walking from far; children and students first, then also adults. Schon am frühen Samstag-Nachmittag kamen die ersten; von weit her waren sie seit den frühen Morgenstunden zu Fuß unterwegs. Zunächst kamen vor allem die Jugendliche und viele Primarschüler. Langsam kamen aber auch die Erwachsene: Mütter, Männer und Familien. Man zählte an diesem Abend 280 Schönstätterinnen und 240 Schönstätter. |
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Los schoenstattianos de Bujumbura, Burundi vinieron en gran número al llamado para vivir un día de Familia en Monte Sión Gikungu. Había presentes más de 3.000 fieles, de los cuales alrededor de 2/3 eran miembros de la Familia de Schoenstatt. Die Schönstätter von Bujumbura, Burundi, kamen zahlreich zum Aufruf einen Diözesantag zu erleben. Von den über 3’000 anwesenden etwa 2/3 waren Mitglieder der Schoenstattbewegung. |
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Sobretodo fue impresionante el momento del ofertorio, donde los schoenstattianos aportaron muchos dones destinados a los presos en la cárcel de Mpimba en Bujumbura. Se trataba sobretodo de comestibles: 1 tonelada de mandioca (producto comestible local, como las papas), plátanos, etc. Al ver todo esto pensábamos en la viuda pobre del evangelio que daba de su pobreza todo lo que poseía. Offering of the gifts. It was impressive to see how the people brought loads of food for the prisoners of the central Bujumbura jail Beeindruckend war die Gabenprozession, in der die Schönstätter über eine Tonne Maniok, Bananen und andere gesammelte Lebensmittel für die Gefangenen im Zentralgefängnis Mpimpa in Bujumbura zum Altar brachten. Wir dachten an die arme Frau im Evangelium, die von Jesus gelobt wurde, weil sie mit Liebe von ihrem wenigen alles gegeben hatte. |
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Después de la misa unas lindas danzas en honor de nuestra MTA animaron la atmósfera en medio de la alegría general y de los aplausos. Dances followed Holy Mass Nach dem Segen vor dem Heiligtum gab es wunderschöne Tänze, begeistert kommentiert und beklatscht von der Pilgern. |
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Después de la misa hubo unos 500 schoenstattianos que se quedaron a compartir unos sandwiches y bebidas bajo una gran carpa, donde también fue presentada una obra de teatro que gustó mucho a los presentes. Some 500 Schoenstatt members stayed sharing refreshments and sandwiches; the Boys’ Youth presented a theater. Nach der Messe etwa 500 Pilger blieben noch unter dem Pilgerzelt, wo Getränke und Sandwichs serviert wurden. Alle aßen und wurden satt... Eine Schönstätter Jungmännergruppe spielte noch ein Theaterstück. Fotos: Jeria © 2005 |
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BURUNDI; Father Othomar Landolt. The Schoenstatt Family of the Diocese of Bujumbura had yearned to have an encounter for a long period of time. However, this was not easy to accomplish, because there are a great number of Schoenstatters and the situation of war made it difficult for the people to travel. And they did not have the experience to organize such an encounter. But in spite of this, approximately 3,000 persons attended, more than they had imagined!
Many Schoenstatters had organized massive pilgrimages to their Mount Sion Shrine in Gikungu, and they had also had many encounters for the leaders of the Family, however; it had not been possible to have a massive encounter with the Schoenstatt Family.
Love conquers all
A committee was organized under the direction of Father Genaro Gateretse,
Diocesan Director of the Movement, and they invited all the Family of the diocese (who belong to the parishes in the city and who live in the many hills in the rural areas that surround it) for an encounter on June 26th. At this time a whirlwind still reigned as a result of the parliamentary elections, with all the effervescence that goes with it, and a guerrilla group, that had not given in to the peace accords, was acting out in the region. For all these reasons, they did not know how many Schoenstatters would respond to the invitation. The result…they came! The encounter was scheduled for Sunday, but by Saturday morning the first members of the movement arrived, coming by foot from several hills. The first to arrive were above all the youth (Pioneers and Allies) and children from the elementary school (Apostles and Shields of Mary). By Saturday afternoon more than 500 Schoenstatters had arrived, including the Mothers’ Branch, the Family Branch, the youth and children. That night there was a total of 280 Schoenstatt women and 240 Schoenstatt men on the premises. In reality they were not prepared to receive so many people, which caused some inconveniences in feeding and sheltering so many persons. However, all the problems were resolved with the help in solidarity of all those present and thanks to the maternal generosity of the Sisters of Mary, who graciously cared for all the children and all the details. It was truly touching to see how the people prayed and sought the sacrament of reconciliation. Thanks to God, a great calm reigned that night, no shots were fired and there was no violence in the surrounding area.
Solidarity with those in need
Sunday, even more Schoenstatters, from all the parishes in the diocese, arrived at Mount Sion Gikungu, some came by bus others walked. There were 3,000 persons present for the Eucharist, two thirds belong to the Schoenstatt Movement and the other third were pilgrims who usually come to this place. One of the most impressive moments was during offertory, when the Schoenstatters contributed many gifts for the prisoners in the jail of Mpimba, in Bumjubura. The donations were mostly food items: 1 ton of tapioca (a local product, similar to potatoes), bananas, etc. Upon seeing this, many thought about the poor widow of the gospel, who, from her poverty, she gave all that she possessed.
The Eucharist ended with a procession from the large church of the "Holy Trinity, to the grounds of the Shrine, where the Covenant of Love was renewed and they prayed for peace. There was a surprise, the President of the Republic, Domiciano Ndayizeye and his spouse attended the Mass. Before he was president he lived close to the Shrine and he always attended Mass there. It was a great joy to see that he had also answered the call. After the Mass there were beautiful dances in honor of the MTA that brightened the atmosphere in the midst of joy and applause. Then the majority of those present began the trip home. However, some 500 Schoenstatters remained to share sandwiches and drinks under a big tent, where a theatrical work was presented, which everyone enjoyed.
A very fruitful debut
The encounter ended with some words about the occasion (it something that is part of this culture) and with the blessing of the priests.
Everyone is happy about the outcome of this encounter and they promised to have another one next year, especially if there is an improvement in the conditions of peace and calm among the citizens. On this day, the words that Benedict XVI expressed during the Mass that began his pontificate, could be experienced: "We are a young Church and full of life".
Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX