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El altar del futuro Santuario en Zimbabwe The altar of the future shrine in Zimbabwe Der Altar des zukünftigen Heiligtums in Zimbabwe Foto: Peter © 2005 |
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ZIMBABWE, Marlene Peter. Schoenstatt in Zimbabwe: a small Schoenstatt family without a Shrine, but a Shrine altar that is their spiritual center in a country battled by hunger, AIDS, political pressure. Connected to the Shrine, they want to give a response from the Schoenstatt spirituality: keep the hopes alive.
For their annual convention , the leaders met in the "Shrine room" at Sheila Coleman’s home, beginning with a meditation. The prayers and hymns focussed on the Holy Spirit. Then they prayed the luminous mysteries of the rosary praying for the success of the weekend and remembered, too, those who were connected to Schoenstatt in Zimbabwe over the years since 1975, when Schoenstatt started there, and have since died. They have compiled a list of them - many family members -, and put their names up in the shrine with photos they had of some of them. It was a beautiful Spirit-filled evening.
On Saturday at 12 pm they returned and began by praying the Angelus. Prayers to the Holy spirit followed and Stella Arnold read a beautiful psalm. All brought their petitions, confident that they had the ear of Our Lord. When Fr. Michael Hagan arrived around 2. p.m. from Cape Town they continued with branches giving their annual reports. All the reports reflected the difficult times the people are going through and the support they get from each othe rin the Schoenstatt family, and the experience of the loving care of the Mother thrice Admirable.
"What is the current situation in the country, the church, the Schoenstatt family?"
Fr. Michael then began his introduction by suggesting that they look at the issue of discernment in the present circumstances. They needed to consider what decisions to make in the crisis the country is facing.
They asked themselves, "What is the current situation in the church?" Various observations were made: Some parishes were vibrant, others less so. Some thought that there had been an increase in mass attendance (more week day) and interest by the laity in spiritual matters. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was brought on by the year of the Eucharist. But some noted less enthusiasm shown by the priests, bishops.
What is the current situation the Country? HIV/AIDS are taking their toll, fuel shortages, food shortages, spiralling cost of living (they deal in millions and billions of their highly inflated currency) , unemployment and increase in crime.
We need to keep hope alive
And the Zimbabwe Schoenstatt Family? The numbers remain small. Some are getting on in years, remaining young at heart though! This year four had died – Jimmy Finch, Erica Peter, and Pat Eeson and her husband. The altar of the shrine was moved from the Arnolds to Sheila’s home. Fr. Michael Hagan came to bless it. The question for all: How dies this affect me?
They shared their thoughts and some observations: There is fear, worry, unsettling; increasing costs of health care and medication make affected health a stronger burden. Many spoke about mixed feelings, depression, sadness, nostalgia for better times. The concrete challenge many are facing is the decision to go or stay. The families of several ones are split with some having emigrated. The question arises: do we have a mission here, in and for our country – or the mission to get a better future for our family? There is nothing much to be optimistic about, and yet there is some optimism, someone said. The economic split between the ‘rich and poor’ is getting bigger; the situation wears you down as many people live ‘hand to mouth.’ Some feel a burden on their children. Humility is needed in accepting dependency. But one theme was emphasized again and again: We need to keep hope alive.
After this brain-storming Fr. Michael said that a particular situation needs a particular response. How do we discern what Gods is saying to us/ to me in this situation?
He pointed out Fr. Kentenich’s method for discernment: You have to see and observe the situation, compare with others, with the life of Christ, of Mary, and come to an act of surrender, of acceptance, facing the conflict (instead of turning away, ignoring it), and make a choice to be able to see the open door – and use it.
We have to ‘synthesise’ our opinions and make a daily response, implement decisions, and hand over to gain inner freedom. All this we can see in our Consecration prayer: My Queen, my Mother, I give myself to you…"
The connection with the Shrine helps to deal with the situation
We have to live very consciously day by day with an awareness. Ask Our Lady to help us face what we have to face. It is important to be aware of our situation and our reactions. It is very challenging to live in the Covenant of Love!
The sharing during this time brought out various observations: gratitude, ways in which some had adapted to situations in past difficulties, feelings of helplessness. Oliver observed that we need to be positive, that hate breeds hate and love breeds love. Sheila said we should pray for those who hurt you. We need to encourage others. We were survivors and many had become strengthened through past losses and difficulties.
Father Michael said that our connection to the shrine will help us to deal with the situation. We have to adapt, be compassionate, positive and encouraging.
During the masses that afternoon and on Sunday morning, Father said we have to first acknowledge our fears, anxieties, painful experiences, accept them, take them, ‘breathe them in then hand over, surrender, ‘give them away’ trusting in God’s providence. Like Fr. Kentenich, become ‘inwardly free.’ Hand over to our MTA, to Christ. Handing over negativity is a continuous process.
The shrine helps us face the challenges of these times. Each one of us is challenged. We become burdened physically, and these burdens affect the whole person. The situation we are living in is not normal. We needed to be aware of this. Am I aware? Such times can either bring us closer to God or be missed opportunities. These can be moments of growth and grace. There is a need to develop a sense of humour. We also have to live an extraordinary life of Christ. This is not comfortable. We are called to live and grow in sanctity. It is what we are doing to embrace the cross of Christ joyfully, without becoming bitter and twisted. Remember God’s message is a living power for those who believe. The shrine is our power- house and the means to live this. Referring to the prayer book "Heavenwards" composed by Fr. Kentenich in Dachau, Fr. Michael said that Inscriptio was the key.
After lunch on Sunday when they were considering their motto for the coming year Father Michael said Zimbabwe requires an extraordinary response. We can grow in sanctity. Our response must be to use a different situation and grow. We needed to experience the shrine as our cenacle. We needed to be grace-filled, Spirit- filled, praying for His presence. After this prayer-filled time they found the motto which they are sure will inspire them during the coming year: "Connected to the Shrine, our Cenacle, we keep our hopes alive."