I discovered a Schoenstatt that is young and alive

What the Youth Festival in Schoenstatt meant to me: Matias "Tute" Clavijo, Argentina

Descubrir el Santuario Original Discovering the Original Shrine Das Urheiligtum entdecken
Un Schoenstatt joven y vivo A young and lively Schoenstatt Ein junges, lebendiges Schönstatt
Una alianza del mundo A covenant of the world Ein Bündnis der Welt für die Welt
Un compromiso con el Padre A commitment to the Father Ein Versprechen an den Gründer
Una misión asumida A mission assumed Eine übernommene Sendung Fotos: POS Fischer © 2005

WYD MOMENTS. I still can’t believe all that we experienced during the month o August. And no matter how much I talk about it once and again, the time in Germany is still incredible and impressive. Personally, the best and the most beautiful was the time in Shoenstatt: And I am not saying this only because I was asked to write about it, it truly was like that. I discovered the Original Shrine, while I was in this holy place where Father Kentenich, Joseph Engling, and all our Schoenstatt saints and heroes had been I discovered a Schoenstatt that is young and alive. Everything was all IMPRESSIVE . When I am asked about the trip I always say the same thing: "IMPRESSIVE" in every sense of the word.

Our group from Argentina was blessed to arrive at the Original Shrine on the day of the Transfiguration of Jesus at Tabor, and we had Mass in the Shrine at 11:00 p.m. where we truly discovered this Tabor of Mary of which our Father spoke. We truly felt at home and we wanted to stay there. I liked the words of welcome to the festival very much: "Welcome Home. We were truly at home and this is what made this the most beautiful time of the entire trip.

United as brothers and sisters

And the best thing about being at home was being with our brothers: It was really impressive (we cannot stop using this word) the fraternity that developed among the groups; the sharing, knowing that we are brothers, and that we are struggling for the same thing, looking for the new man in a new community for all the Church throughout the world…YES, in the whole world. From Vietnam, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, to Argentina, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay. Together, united for our Mother in this place of grace.

Because of all of these experiences that we lived as Schoenstatt youth in the Original Shrine, the closing was a very clear sign of all the festival. A Covenant of the world, for the world. It was a very beautiful gesture and above all it was very important and we must take it as a task. At that moment I did not realize the history that we were forging with this Covenant but with the distance of time I absorbed it and I discovered its importance. The Festival was not only a beautiful time where we shared a lot; it was above all a mission that Mary gave us, that took us to the Original Shrine and it asked that as Schoenstatt youth we take this Covenant to all the world; that we make the world a new community. We have already said yes now it is up to us.

Hoping to meet again

Undoubtedly, all of those who were in Schoenstatt during those days are waiting for it to be repeated… and surely the first ones are the organizational team. It was an impressive experience…and very fruitful for all the youth, and with a clear mission we are all waiting for a reunion, and 2014 seems so far away, we hope that Mary will convoke us before that time.

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA