published: 2006-03-21 |
To the Original Shrine!Covenant Day in Schoenstatt – a day that culminated in a special joy |
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SCHOENSTATT, mkf. In Schoenstatt, spiritually united with the entire Schoenstatt Family, a sun-filled day full of Covenant joy was experienced this past March 18th. The day ended with some news that filled everybody with joy: beginning April 18th, Covenant Day during Easter Week, the dream of many will be fulfilled: Like in the early years of Schoenstatt, the Covenant Celebration will again take place in the Original Shrine! Each 18th of the month, in the afternoon, at 7:30 p.m., the holy Mass will be celebrated in the Pilgrim’s Church, and from there all would go on pilgrimage in procession to the Original Shrine to renew the Covenant. This announcement in the middle of Lent was like a paschal light. The morning of the 18 began very cold, with cool wind, sunshine, a blue sky, and many pilgrims who arrived at the Original Shrine. The Schoenstatt Fathers of the Iberian-american course, at tertiary on Mount Sion, concelebrated the holy Mass. Songs were sung in German and in Spanish. "It was a special joy for us, a gift on Covenant day, for the main celebrant to greet us and to speak to us in Sapniah," commented Santiago Labbe Santander, from Santiago, Chile. This 18th was the last of the three days that he spent in Schoenstatt with his wife, Maria Luz Valdez. "We did not expect such a beautiful surprise this morning during the Mass in the Original Shrine." The Fathers celebrated this 18th their last holy Mass as a course in the Original Shrine, before completing their tertiary. At the end of the Mass, all renewed the Covenant in German and in Spanish – with many couples from the Institute present, with youth from several countries, Sisters, Fathers, all united with all the Family. Before this Pilgrim MTA’s that will be commissioned to various places in Germany during this month were blessed. It is a grace to be hereJoaquin Pardo from Asuncion, Paraguay, who participated in the fair of CeBit in Hannover, arrived to Schoenstatt on the afternoon of the 17 of March, after an odyssey through Germany, loaded with letters from the Schoenstatt Family from Paraguay. The "vigil" of the 18 was a "Latin American summit", as Santiago Labbe called it: there was an interesting exchange about Schoenstatt’s contribution to the Church and to the society of Latin America among Schoenstatters from Chile, Paraguay and Argentina: Missions of solidarity, White moustaches, a data base for the all the Schoenstatt family, help for street children... Well-known projects (from Schoenstatt.de) were attached with people and their personal missions in the great Kingdom of Schoenstatt. "We did not know each before, but it is like meeting with companions we have known all our lives, one begins to speak and immediately you feel as if you were with family", Santiago Labbé commented. "We have been in the Movement for twenty years", added Luz Maria; two of their sons participated in the Youth Festival, now it’s the parents who can be in Schoenstatt. "This is the first time that we are in Schoenstatt and everything changes. To be here is a grace." A whole pile of letters at the carpetDuring the day the carpet at Father Kentenich’s tomb covered with letters, photos, and symbols. A group of children from Heimbach, Germany, who were preparing for their First Communion, and who were staying at House Sonnenau, visited Fathe Kentenich’s tomb. They liked to see the drawings from the children of Paraguay on the carpet. All day pilgrims arrived at the Original Shrine, as well as participants from the various journeys that were taking place in Schoenstatt this day. Petitions from many people arrived, sent with confidence and faith. And spiritually, all the international Family was present. Viva SchoenstattIn the afternoon many people arrived for the Covenant celebration in the Adoration Church: It was to be the last one at this place. The church was full. Father Penners, Movement Director of Schoenstatt in Germany, mentioned the testimony of two young men from the Schoenstatt Boy’s Youth in his homily. Felipe Vera Meier, from Temuco, Chile, who died in February at the age of 17 and Adrian, a young man from Freiburg, Germany, who died in March at the age of 19. Both were in Schoenstatt on 10 of August and sealed the Covenant for the youth of the world: "You and me for them". The time of Schoenstatt heroes is now. The Easter mystery, the mystery of the covenant that lives of the selfless giving of self for others and for the Kingdom of the MTA. After the celebration everyone gathered around the fire where the papers with the contributions to the capital of grace were burned. Youth from several countries united to send their covenant greeting via internet, ending with a loud and joyful: Viva Schoenstatt!... Como 18, it will resound at the Original Shrine! Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA
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