published: 2005-09-20 |
The most beautiful stars of the European flagThe Shrine of Unity in Cambrai, France is 40 years old
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40° aniversario del Santuario en Cambrai: Misa festiva 40th anniversary of the Shrine in Cambrai: Festive Mass 40 Jahre Heiligtum in Cambrai: Festgottesdienst Foto: POS, Fischer © 2005 |
In a touching homily presented to some 400 pilgrims – the majority from the region of Cambrai, and also from France, Belgium and Germany and delegations of 6 persons from Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, the Philippines, the United States, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Brazil- the Archbishop expressed gratitude for the life of Joseph Engling in the Mass that was celebrated in the esplanade of the Shrine, relating it with the experiences of World Youth Day, especially the Vigil in the Marian field, and with the words that Benedict XVI directed to the youth, in French: "The Magi that came from the east are only the first of a long list of men and women who throughout their lives have constantly looked for the star of God, who have looked for God ,who is close to us, human beings, and who indicates the way. It is through the multitude of saints, known and unknown, that the Lord has opened the Gospel throughout history, turning its pages; and he still doing it. In their lives the richness of the Gospel is revealed like a great, illustrated book. They are the luminous stars that God has left in the course of history, and that he continues to leave". Monsignor Garnier expressed, that saints like Joseph Engling, Father Kentenich, Karl Leisner, Edith Stein, Maximilian Kolbe…are luminous footprints of God, collaborators during the first hour, they are the most beautiful stars in the European flag. At the end of his homily, the Archbishop said the following prayer: "Thank you, God for giving us these saints. Joseph Engling, a model of how to live SchoenstattBefore the Mass, the abbot Louis Fleury and Father Joachim Schmiedl, vice postulator of the cause of canonization of Joseph Engling, welcomed everyone who arrived to celebrate the jubilee of the Shrine together – below a blue sky of a radiant sunny autumn day of incomparable beauty. Three testimonies touched everyone. "Do you have any idea what a gift this simple and authentic testimony of these youth is for us? commented Markus Amrein, a Brother of Mary, to those who were at his side. "Do you know how our hearts are touched by their words?" Maria, leader of the Girls’ Youth from Plata, Argentina, affirmed that Joseph Engling is an older brother and a model of how to live Schoenstatt for all the Schoenstatt Youth; especially, for her, by his everyday sanctity and his attachment with the Father, as well as that as a leader he was " everything for everyone".. Matthias, of the Boys’ Youth of Germany, told how Joseph Engling had helped him in Cambrai during a difficult situation of his life. Since then he has returned to visit Cambrai time and again, and he desires to inflame a love for Joseph Engling in many youths. Beata, from Poland, spoke about the experiences in Joseph Engling’s birthplace and its surroundings. The Mass was celebrated in French, with the readings, homily and petitions in German. Several priests from neighboring parishes concelebrated with the Archbishop of Cambrai, among them was the pastor of a new parish of Cambrai (which was established after a structural reform) who chose Blessed Charles Leisner as their patron. The choir from this parish made the Mass an experience of sacred music of sublime quality, in the best French style. Several French Children took flowers to the altar during the offertory procession. At the end of the Mass, the same children approached the altar again with balloons of different colors –and to the joy of everyone, the Archbishop joined their game of kicking the balloons! Joseph Englings’s role in the life of great Schoenstatt personalitiesThere was time to pray and for fraternal exchange, in a strong experience of unity, in spite of the language barrier. Refreshments, bread, soup and coffee were served with the help of everyone. The pastor of one of the neighboring parishes of Cambrai was touched by Maria’s testimony, and later in a conversation with her he commented that the had lived in Coirrientes and el Chaco for 10 years, as a priest, during the seventies. He was surprised to meet Argentines in Cambrai! Many Sisters of Mary, members of the Women’s Federation and Brothers of Mary could be seen conversing with the other participants. Blessed was he who could speak French, who could communicate with the many French people! After lunch, the French met in the "Foyer de Marie", the House close to the Shrine, to attend a presentation about the mission of the Shrine. David and Christie Jentz invited everyone to go on pilgrimage to Milwaukee. "Gilbert Schimmel wanted to be a Joseph Engling, just like Joao Pozzobon, shouldn’t we reflect more on Joseph Engling’s role in the life of great Schoenstatt personalities? Christie found out about the jubilee of the Shrine in February through Schoenstatt.de, and she and her husband decided to organize their trip to Rome and France in order to be in Cambrai on this date and in this way participate in the celebration. At 2:00 p.m. the pilgrims who came from Schoenstatt and Speyer by bus bid their farewell to the Shrine of Unity, at the precise moment that Paul Jentz, a boy who is13 from Milwaukee, son of Christi and David Jentz, sealed his covenant in the Shrine of Unity. A bilingual celebration, marked by the spontaneity and charming improvisation that marked the whole day. Paul’s covenant candle had the symbols of a cross, the MTA, the Schoenstatt logo and the coat of arms of Cambrai. An offer of loveOn Saturday night, in Cambrai, a bonfire was lighted to burn the capital of grace. A group of some 100 Germans, along with the representatives from several countries and continents, ended their pilgrimage at this place after following Joseph Engling’s footsteps, walking approximately 3 Km. from Eswars, the place of his death. In this pilgrimage the Boys’ Youth from Villa Ballester was represented, who on the same day blessed a Joseph Engling stone. With the sound of songs the papers with the contributions to the capital of grace were burned. Chrisit Jentz, from Milwaukee, took the capital of grace from several families of Milwaukee, as well as the offering of life of her childhood Schoenstatt friend,who was dying of a cerebral tumor. With all the pain as a woman and as a mother of three school age children, she offered her life as capital of grace in this Shrine of Cambrai, in the spirit of Joseph Engling, abandoning herself entirely for the love of God the Father. This simple act, that hardly anyone knew about, was perhaps the secret of the marvelous celebration of the 40th anniversary. Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA More photos |
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22.09.2005
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