Light of the world and salt of the earth

Consecration of the first Family Federation Course in the Czech Republic

Santuario de Rokole, Republica Checa

Shrine in Rokole, Czech Republic

Heiligtum in Rokole, Tschechische Republik

En el Santuario „Nuevo Belén“ In the Bethlehem Shrine Im Bethlehem-Heiligtum
Capilla de las Hermanas de Maria House Chapel of the Schoenstatt Sisters Hauskapelle der Marienschwestern Fotos: Antonin Forbelský © 2005

CZECH REPUBLIC, Alena and Jaroslav Lavicka. The Schoenstatt Family Federation in the Czech Republic has taken a decisive step: the end of the candidacy of the first course and with it the beginning of the Family Federation in that country. They officially began in January of 1999, but the desire began much earlier in the northern summer of 1991. Fr. Ermar Busse was the founding advisor of the Family Federation in the Czech Republic. He led it to the first consecration. Under very simple conditions, he enacted the first workshop for families. Two years later, a second course began their candidacy. There are interested persons for a third course. It is a development filled with hope.

With a joyful accent, the Czech families want to make it known to the entire Schoenstatt Movement that on the 5^th of July of 2005, on the feast day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, nine families consecrated themselves to the Blessed Mother and in this way, their desire to establish the Family Federation in the Czech Republic became a reality. They are: Marie and Oldich Krchnak from Brunn, Alexandra and Martin Kubalec from Blazovice, Alena and Jaroslav Lavicka from Drasov, Jana and Petr Likar from Brunn, Radek and Mirka Likar from Kunstat, Katka and Tomas Micanik from Ostrava, Hana and Pavel Necas from Tvarozna, Jitka and Pavel Smejakl from Brunn, and Jana and Frantisek Travnik from Mutenice. They have been led by Fr. Elmar Busse. Their course ideal is "Lux mundi et sal terrea"….."Light of the world and salt of the earth."

The beginning in an old chapel in Rokole

The festivity of the 5^th of July began in an old chapel in Rokole which served the Schoenstatt Movement as a clandestine Shrine during the long years of the communist persecution. In that chapel, the majority of the families had placed their original Covenant of Love in the hands of the Blessed Mother. There, Fr. Elmar Busse blessed each lamp and the salt, the symbols for the course ideal. Even though it rained cats and dogs, they were able to take their lighted lamps through the forest and up to the Schoenstatt Shrine in Rokole. Because of the heavy rain, access to the Shrine became a guagmire and ultimately, the celebration had to take place in the house of the Sisters of Mary. Jokingly they said that the heavy rain was probably caused by the Stejskal family who belong to the Schenstatt Institute of Families because they brought with them their "Fountain of living water"…..! This is the ideal of the Institute in the Czech Republic! The Family Federation had no choice but to consider that the immense rainfall was like a torrent of graces.

The families experienced strongly the grace of being at home in the house chapel of the Sisters. It was such that they experienced their consecration "almost as in the Shrine." The beautiful arrangement and the presence of the Sisters fully compensated for the fact that they were not able to celebrate their consecration in the Shrine.

A Federation of families

You could perceive that this was a "Federation of Families" and not only of couples. You could really see how to listen to the children, especially to the younger ones who were able to get the attention of the adults.

It crossed the mind of one or another how it was before. They were conscious that this development which can now be seen as the fruitfulness for all the Schoenstatt Work in the Czech Republic has had to endure through sacrifices, sufferings, arrests, and persecutions.

The lives of each one of us are original and you cannot always see Providence in each step of the way. It will never be known or really understood how God knits His plans and how He has guided each one of us…..how he has knitted this portrait which is now the Family Federation showing the individual threads of all of the original biographies. Now the older children are sitting in the pews of the Shrine. Until not too long ago, their mothers carried them in their carriers. When the Family Federation becomes fertile, God will also bless their children and through the powerful intercession of the Thrice Admirable Queen they too will be called to her Work.

With a heart full of enthusiasm, with great desires for sanctity, and to later do something great for God, the families want to change they world with their daily efforts and self-education or at least try to change their own surroundings and especially themselves.

The first Family Federation Course in the Czech Republic asks for the prayers of the entire Schoenstatt Movement.

Translation: Carlos Cantú La Feria, Texas USA