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Entrega de una Cruz de la Unidad
He is offered the Unity Cross
Er erhält das Kreuz der Einheit als Geschenk
Fotos: Hauck © 2006 |
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GERMANY, Markus Jauck. "Nothing better can happen to a bishop than
to have the Schoenstatt Movement in his diocese": manifested Monsignor
Dr. Friedhelm Hofmann when he visited "Marienhoehe", the Schoenstatt
Center in Würzburg, on the afternoon of Saturday, February 4th.
"People need the example of committed Christians. I remind you of your
obligation. We can only do it together", said the bishop to the 30 delegates
of the Schoenstatt Movement from the Diocese of Wurzburg.
Precisely one year after 2005, which was such a moving year, it is
valid to make good use of the Kairos, when the people are well disposed
– after the death of John Paul II and of World Youth Day – to again
notice the Church, coming again to the fountain of energy of the Catholic
faith. The Marian approach that Schoenstatt cultivates on a worldwide
level, interests me very much, Monsignor Hofmann expressed. Cardinal
Joseph Frings (former Archbishop of Cologne) told him two things before
his ordination which he has kept in his heart: "Preserve the love of
the Blessed Mother and your good sense of humor!"
The Bishop seemed surprised because that all the Schoenstatt branches
from the Diocese of Wurzburg form independent entities. This is the
case for the groups of the Boys’ and Girls’ Youth as well as for the
branches of the sick, the priests, couples, mothers and men. "Furthermore,
there are a great number of pilgrims who regularly participate in the
events at Schoenstatt", said the Diocesan Director of the Movement,
Father Josef Treutlein. Be they youth or adults all Schoenstatters have
a form of piety that "is wholeheartedly bonded to tradition, although,
on the other hand, is extremely free, is deteached from rigid, traditional
forms". (Father Joseph Kentenich, Conference of 8-12-65).
An original contribution to the image of the Church of the XXI Century
Monsignor Hofmann continued saying in his conversation that Schoenstatters
commit themselves firmly with their respective parishes, for example
as lectors, sacristans, in administration or on the parish council.
"I could verify the intense prayer life of Schoenstatters in my first
visit to Wurzburg after I was appointed as Bishop of this diocese",
he continued saying. In the "Käppele", the "Chapel", the traditional
Marian Shrine of Wurzburg there was a group of women from the Movement
who came to meet the new Bishop and they told him they had prayed especially
for him. "The power of prayer is our "biggest business", said the Bishop…
He saw with gratitude how the Schoenstatt Movement commits itself to
renew the life of the Church from within with deeds and with prayer.
"You are bearers in this era of the charism of your Founder, Father
Joseph Kentenich and you make an important contribution to the image
of the Church of the XXI Century", the Bishop expressed. In his diocese
there are fifteen New Communities and each one makes its own spiritual
contributions. "This is legitimate: in this way there are many roads
that lead to the same goal: Christ".
Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA
