God is Love!

The image of the Holy Family in the Shrine of Belmonte and the new Encyclical

La estatua de la Sagrada Familia en el Santuario de Belmonte por delante... Front view of the statue of the Holy Family in the Shrine of Belmonte… Die Statue der Heiligen Familie im Heiligtum von Belmonte von vorne…
... y por detrás. Rear view ... … und von hinten
El Cardenal Ratzinger en Belmonte, el 29-9-04. En el extremo izquierdo, la estatua Cardinal Ratzinger in Belmonte on September 29, 2004.  The statue on the  extreme left Kardinal Ratzinger am 29.09.04 auf Belmonte, ganz links die Statue Foto: Abram © 2006

ROME, Fr. Michael Gerber. Whoever thought that after 2005, interest for the Pope would lessen, at the end of January understood that he was wrong. The publication of the first Encyclical has awakened throughout the world a very strong repercussion and it is a positive one among the majority. It deals with a global vision of Love which includes passionate love, "Eros," spiritual and friendship love, "Philia," and generous love, "Agape." The image of the Holy Family in the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine in Belmonte expresses it beautifully.

This image which was earlier in Weiskirchen in the Mainz Diocese is a gift from the Schoenstatt Families of Mainz on behalf of the entire Family Work in Germany. In June of 2004, it was given solemnly by the family of Mainz in the Shrine of the Families to the representatives of the entire Family Work: League, Federation and Institute. They gave it as a gift to the Shrine of Rome.

Mary and Joseph are totally centered on the Infant Jesus who is between them. When one sees the statue from behind, one discovers that they are holding hands which is an expression of a profound spiritual and loving relationship.

A complete love

It is not known if Pope Benedict XVI saw the statue from behind when he visited Belmonte in September of 2004 while he was still a cardinal. Nevertheless, the image which is quite different from the love which Benedict XVI describes in his Encyclical has a strong parallel with what Father Joseph Kentenich, Founder of Schoenstatt, has also said about love. There is no reason to be surprised. Both see life in all of its phases and are at the same time totally rooted in the tradition of the Church.

Translation Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA