Schoenstatt is the same everywhere, you pray, eat, and work: but most of all there is joy.

PURE LIFE: Covenant Day with Joseph Engling in Cambrai - September 18, 2005 – as seen by a 12-year-old

David Jentz en Cambrai

David Jentz in Cambrai

David Jentz in Cambrai

Fuego de José Engling Joseph Engling fire Englingfeuer
Christi Jentz entrega los capitalarios de familias de Milwaukee Christi Jentz offering the capital of grace of families from Milwaukee Christi Jentz bringt Briefe und Beiträge zum Gnadenkapital von Familien aus Milwaukee
Misa del jubileo Jubilee Mass Jubiläumsmesse
Un aliado feliz A happy covenant partner Ein seliger Verbündeter
Trabajando en la alianza... Working in the Covenant... Wo man mitarbeitet, ist man auch zu Hause Fotos: Jentz © 2005

PURE LIFE, Paul Jentz (12 years old). Cambrai, a bustling town in northern France, has a special meaning to me. Our family arrived in Cambrai on September 16 of this year. Our hotel room was small and cramped but it was a good opportunity to offer something to the Capital of Grace. After settling in to our hotel, we drove to the Schoenstatt Shrine in Cambrai. When we finally found the shrine, we were given a warm welcome from Sister Michela, despite the cold weather.

The primary reason that we were at Cambrai was that the Schoenstatt Community was having a fortieth anniversary celebration commemorating the dedication of the "Unity" Shrine on September 12, 1965. This event of was held on the 17 & 18 of September 2005.

September 17 was not as cold as the day we arrived. We spent the morning enjoying the culture of downtown Cambrai. The Diocese of Cambrai has more than one million inhabitants. The most prominent site that we visited was the Cathedral of Cambrai which is dedicated to the Blessed Mother. The city of Cambrai has always had a special devotion to our Lady. The Cathedral enthrones an icon of our Lady of Grace of Cambrai and it is significant on many accounts. For instance, Saint Bernadette was shown a large selection of images featuring Mary and Jesus and she said that this one most resembled our Lady of Lourdes. This city is deserving of a visit.

My mom taught the others Father Kentenich’s hymn...

In the early afternoon, the Schoenstatt family hosted a slideshow presenting pictures from the founding of the shrine. The pilgrims then took the Joseph Engling walk that visits the places of Joseph’s last march before he died. It starts in Eswars, not far from Cambrai, and ends at the Shrine; somewhere near the Shrine is where he died. Following this hike there was an indoor Mass. Next, the sisters and friends of the shrine showed everyone their hospitality by serving us the best hot dogs ever. At dusk, a small group ignited the Joseph Engling firebowl. We listened to Schoenstatt hymns in a variety of languages. That was fun. Many people burned offerings. Our family burned my Godmother Judy’s life offering and several other special offerings that we had carried from Milwaukee. After many people left, my mom got up the courage to teach the remaining group Father Kentenich’s hymn "Patris atque Matris sum", the motto of the Milwaukee’s pioneers couples group.

Someone was ringing the bell to call everyone.

Sunday started with an outdoor Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Cambrai. By this time, there was sunshine! We met Sister Angela, a USA sister, for the Mass. She was a great help in translating the homily, which was given in French and German. Then the big moment came, lunch! We had a good, hearty soup made by the Schoenstatt family and of course, French bread. But then, at around two o’clock, the even bigger and better moment came; my Covenant of Love with our Mother Thrice Admirable. Someone was ringing the bell to call everyone. The Shrine did not have the pews in it because of the Mass earlier, so many people were able to crowd in. I was happy to meet Father Joachim Schmiedl, a Schoenstatt priest and promoter of Joseph Engling’s cause for beatification. Father gladly directed me in my prayers and before I knew it, I had made my Covenant! A covenant is a very special thing to have. You are more than ever surrounded by God’s grace and Mary’s love.

A true Schoenstatt family was there, with Mary in the midst. It went so quick that it is hard to recall all of this occasion. I received many congratulations and we were all very happy to be together. After most pilgrims departed, my dad and I helped to put away chairs and tables. That is a task we often get to do. I was thinking that Schoenstatt is the same everywhere, you pray, eat, and work: but most of all there is joy.

Thank you Cambrai. Thank you Joseph Engling.

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