Jovenes de Chile con su gran cuadro de la MTA, en la catedral Youth from Chile, with their big MTA picture, in the catedral Jugendliche aus Chile mit ihrem großen MTA-Bild im Dom
Un Santuario de peregrianción A Shrine for the pilgrims Ein Wallfahrts-Heiligtum
La Virgen Peregrina en Hohe Straße The Pilgrim Mother at Hohe Straße Die Pilgernde Gottesmutter geht durch die Hohe Straße Foto: POS Fischer© 2005
Santuario: venta de recuerdos Shrine: gift shop Andenkenverkauf beim Heiligtum Foto: POS Brehm © 2005
Libro de saludos en el Santuario Book of greetings in the Shrine Grußbuch im Heiligtum
Peregrinos en camino a al Santuario Pigrims on the way to the Shrine Pilger auf dem Weg zum Heiligtum
Oración en el Santuario Prayer in the Shrine Gebet im Heiligtum Fotos: POS Fischer ©2005
Mas fotos

WYD – COLOGNE, mkf. Construction surrounds the place. Only by walking zigzag do you arrive at the gate which surrounds the "leaning tower" of St. John the Baptist Church and even after this struggle they "finally arrive!" The worried faces of a group of Girls’ Youth from Chile magically light up: "Here is the Shrine!" With open doors and the Blessed Sacrament exposed, the Cologne Shrine awaits the visit of the Schoenstatt pilgrims who want to reach it – at least 3,000 -- . All want to be in the Shrine. All are seeking an encounter with the Blessed Mother and with Father Kentenich who sealed his Covenant of Love with God the Father in this Shrine. Using the words of a theatre production which is at this time being presented in Cologne, it deals with an "emanation of paternity" which attracts many and which is clearly perceived upon entering the Shrine.

The "emanation" from the Shrine is also perceived when you come to the Cathedral of Cologne, a pilgrimage place for youths. Formed into a long column, the youths enter the cathedral. They pray before the relics of the Magi and leave the place through a side door. There is a constant movement in the cathedral as never seen before: there are flags, images, rosaries, crosses, and above all, an enormous unending amount of prayers. Many youths are on their knees and with rosaries in their hands. Some are carrying photos of Brother Roger, the founder of the ecumenical Taizé community who was assassinated the night before. Many are carrying photos of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. The classic Schoenstatt kerchiefs are visible. Juan from Paraguay proudly carries a flag from his country and a Schoenstatt kerchief. Some youths from Chile move forward with their huge image of the MTA. During the days of the Festival, this image was placed on the graves of the heroes where people constantly prayed the rosary. Amidst comings and goings, they carry, unload, and build within a half hour – until they are forbidden by the attendants – a small Shrine where the youths spontaneously begin to pray….. On the "Hohe Strasse", the main artery of Cologne, Sandra from Mexico walks hugging her Pilgrim MTA. Many greet the Blessed Mother…..a Russian bishop recognizes Her and immediately begins to speak about Schoenstatt…..

Thank you, Blessed mother, for bringing me home

From afar you can see the Shrine with its temporary roof, thanks to it you can easily recognize it….. but even more so upon crossing the threshold and entering it. "Thank you, Blessed Mother, for bringing me home," can be seen written on the visitors’ book at the entrance. "Our Schoenstatt is so spectacular," writes a girl from Germany. "One feels at home in any corner of the World." "Mother, I love you," can be read in Spanish. "The Covenant of Love for the Youth of the World bears fruit," is the testimony of a girl from USA who is signing at the botton of the list signed by her university companions.

"We had Holy Mass at each hour this morning," says Sr. Manuele, the superior of the house. "It is beautiful! This afternoon at 5 PM, the group from Brazil will have Holy Mass. The house is in total disarray, but that does not matter," she adds happily. "Never have so many people come through this Shrine, how happy must our MTA and Father be with all of these visits!" According to a Sister from Argentina; "A very strong presence of Father can be felt. Upon entering the Shrine, one feels that Father is present….." .Many youths remain on their knees on the floor of the Shrine, praying….."I am a Mexican Schoenstatter," is written on the t-shirt of one of the youths praying in the Shrine and holding a Pilgrim MTA in his arms….

Outside, on the small patio belonging to this Shrine which is in the center of the city, there are articles for sale: Schoenstatt t-shirts, kerchiefs, medals, rosaries, MTA pictures, unity crosses. There is a great deal of diverse material in several languages and great screens which portray the image of the MTA and of Father…..some friars pray at the feet of the MTA. A group of scouts with banners marches directly to the Shrine while others look for and find someone for an interview on Radio María. There is a wide exchange of information, and in the middle of all this, a constant flow of Schoenstatt youths from Germany, Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico, USA, Brazil…..

They rest, they sing, they talk…..just like at home since this is their home. "Where is the Shrine?" ask again and again the youths at the bus station – which is located between "Trinitatis" and the Shrine in the pedestrian walkway – this is asked of anyone who appears to be a Schoenstatter. "How do you get to the Shrine?" is the leading question during these days in Cologne!

On the evening of the 18^th, after the arrival of the Holy Father, the youths are planning to form a human chain from the Shrine to the cathedral to celebrate the day of the Covenant of Love. You are all invited to unite yourselves to this chain of life and apostolic ardor for Schoenstatt! From the Shrine in Cologne and in the Covenant of Love with God the Father, the proclamation of our Father becomes life in the hearts of millions of young people: "Go and set the World afire!" Germany, Italy, Poland, France, Spain, Portugal, Great Britton, Croatia, Switzerland, Austria, Rumania, the Check Republic, Hungary, Russia, South Africa, Burundi, Nigeria, India, Australia, Philippines, USA, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Argentina…..and more further afield! In every corner where there is a Schoenstatter, may a banner of the MTA wave victoriously.

Translation: Carlos Cantu, LaFeria, TX, USA

Oración en el Santuario Prayer in the Shrine Gebet im Heiligtum Foto: POS Brehm © 2005