A Feast of Joy in their Calling

Presentation of the Sion Vestment to Five Novices of the Schoenstatt Fathers

Predica: P. Franz Brügger, Superior Provincial Sermon: Fr. Franz Brügger, Provincial Predigt: Pater Franz Brügger, Provinzial
Aqui estamos… Here we are… Wir sind bereit…
Entrega de la tunica a Tobias Erdmann Tobias Erdmann receives the tunic Überreichung des Sionsgewandes an Tobias Erdmann
Un momento emotivo para los padres A very emotional moment for the parents Ein bewegender Augenblick für die Eltern
Consacración a la MTA Consacration to the MTA Weihe an die Gottesmutter von Schönstatt
Fotos: POS Fischer © 2006

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. On 22 January five young men from Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Philippines celebrated a fest of joy in their calling to the priesthood. Zaldy Antonio Abong, David Braehler, Peter Czermak, Tobias Erdmann and Jiri Landa, who entered the Novitiate of the community of the Schoenstatt Fathers after the World Youth Day, and hence began a long journey to the priesthood, were presented with the Sion vestment on that day.

The Sion vestment is a liturgical garment, and its presentation is the first, visible step on the way of their calling. For the young men it will come to a head in about ten years’ time with their ordination to the priesthood following their studies of theology, intensive times of formation, and pastoral and social practicals. The white garment symbolises their undivided self-surrender to God, and also points to Mary, God’s image and likeness, and summit of human perfection. The cincture is a symbol of their freely given obedience. It gives expression to their desire to be at Christ’s disposal. Very simply, and yet without holding anything back, the essential symbolism of the "presentation of the Sion vestment" was explained in a booklet and at the beginning of the liturgy. The booklet, lovingly and expertly compiled, gave expression to the genuine international character as charism and task. It gave the liturgical texts and a short presentation of the five novices in three languages – German, Hungarian and Czech. They got to know Schoenstatt through their parents, grandparents or friends, and "found a home" there, As Zaldy Antonio Abon (32) from Ilollo, Phillipines, said. He, like Peter Czermak (20) from Hungary, is the first representative from his country to dare to take this step. "After I haad read Joseph Engling’s biography, I followed my inner longing and arrived in Schoenstatt in September 2004," he said. David Braehler (22) spent one-and-a-half years after his "Abitur" (Matriculation) working in a parish in the highlands of Bolivia. Tobias Erdmann, also 22, mentioned the pilgrimage chapel, Maria Oberndorf, his family and positive experiences in the Schoenstatt Youth as his motivation for his decision to "consecrate his life to God and our Lady". Jiri Landa (22) spent half a year in a seminary before deciding to go to the Schoenstatt Fathers. He wants to entrust his calling to the Blessed Mother. Now they have got there and stand waiting in dark suits, their faces lit up with joy.

"For us Schoenstatt Fathers it is a very special day"

So many family and friends, young people and members of the Schoenstatt Family wanted to take part in the celebration that it had to be transferred from the house chapel of the Father House on Mount Sion to the Adoration Church. The many Schoenstatt Fathers and seminarians, among them groups from Nigeria, India and South America who are attending training periods in Schoenstatt, radiated their joy. Almost 40 people had travelled from Hungary. This is the first time there has been a Hungarian Novice of the Schoenstatt Fathers. "We have prayed for such a long time for Fathers and Sisters from Hungary," said Rita Godany, who with her husband Robert brought Schoenstatt to Hungary. "Now we are simply overwhelmed that one of our young people is here and is setting out on the way." The delegation entered the Adoration Church behind the Hungarian flag.

In his short introduction, Fr Strecker said, "It is a very special day for us Schoenstatt Fathers." As the seemingly endless procession of priests and seminarians entered the Church, one young person whispered, "I’ve never seen so many priests at once before." "It is a wonderful experience for us," said Facundo Bernabei, a seminarian from Argentina, "because we are usually so few. It is good to experience that you are among so many!"

Yes, Lord, we have set out on the way to you

Young people from Hungary and Germany, students and Fathers, took up guitars, keyboard and drums to fill the Adoration Church with sounds of the World Youth Day. Jesus Christ, you are my life … Unser Weg bewegt, wir brechen auf zu dir … (Our way motivates, we set out to you …) Even the novices themselves sang out their joy into the packed church. The great world experience of a World Youth Day when of a young generation of Christians who have set out on the way to adore HIM, Fr Franz Bruegger said in his sermon, comes alive once again today. Being allowed to belong to Jesus Christ in the way the Schoenstatt Fathers live in their community, touches a deep longing. It is the deep joy of knowing to whom we belong, to co-operate in building up his kingdom, and like him to enter into the service of others. This longing, which moves these young men, is given a definite form and features today – that of a founder, the founder of the Schoenstatt Movement. The decision to follow Jesus is given a definite form in the family of the Schoenstatt Fathers. The name Sion stands for the unique, strong and fruitful way of following Christ in a special way in the community of the Schoenstatt Father, in which, God willing, God wants to give these young men the grace of the priesthood. May God grant the glory of the Immaculata to fall again and again on each one who has decided here to set out on the way to the priesthood.

Gravity, joy, unreserved readiness, possibly also trembling knees, and for some in the church a battle to control their emotions, as the young men one by one answered to their names, "Yes, I am prepared", and then stepped forward to receive the Sion vestment and cincture from the hands of Fr Bruegger, and as parents and friends helped them to vest. "When a young person places his life completely and radically in God’s hands, placing himself at God’s disposal, something touches hearts, and you are simply caught up and carried along," as one Schoenstatt Father said. "You feel like saying with them: Yes, Lord, we are setting out on the way to you!"

A moving moment for the parents and close friends as they helped "their" novice to vest. Then the novices approached the picture of our Lady and entrusted the rest of the way of their calling to her.

After Mass, which ended with enthusiastic applause, the people stood around outside despite the icy weather to greet and congratulate the novices, until the Fathers and novices invited all to set off to Mount Sion where the celebrations continued during lunch.

The five young men, who received the Sion vestment on 22 January in Schoenstatt, are part of a large number of young men who are setting out on the way to the priesthood in the community of the Schoenstatt Fathers. Before Christmas nine young men began their novitiate in Burundi, Central Africa, in India and Nigeria there are young men on the way, and in South America about 30 young men will begin their novitiate in the next few weeks.

Translation: Mary Cole, England

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