We want to ask you to transform this place into a Shrine

First encounter of the Sicilian Schoenstatt Family

Agape fraterna Agape fraternal Sharing in family Agape mit familienhaftem Austausch
Il nostro Capitale di Grazie Te entregamos nuestro Capital de Gracias Accept our Capital of Grace Nimm an unsere Beiträge zum  Gnadenkapital
Messa Santa Misa Holy Mass Heilige Messe
Padre Placido e Padre Martin. Padre Plácido y Padre Martin Father Plácido and Father Martín Pfr. Placido und Pater Martin Gómez
Santuario Madonna della Dajna Santuario de la Virgen de Dajna Shrine of Our Lady of Dajna Heiligtum der Muttergottes von Dajna Fotos: Tuzzolino © 2006 Albúm de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

ITALY, Calogero Tuzzolino. It is certainly true, that the Holy Spirit blows wherever and however HE wants and we should not extinguish this spirit rather we should try to understand what we should do. Father Kentenich said: "The hand on the pulse of time and the ear on the heart of God". No one would have thought about organizing a Regional encounter, above all with the collaboration and the support of several pastors, only three years after the Schoenstatt Pilgrim MTA arrived to Sicily. It has been the work of the Spirit to awaken the desire of this encounter; we have only managed to discern what He suggested.

On May 7^th the first encounter of the Schoenstatt Family of the region was held in Marineo, a small town of Sicily in the province of Palermo. The initiative came from the Parish of the Holy Trinity in Marsala, thanks to the parish priest, Fr. Placido Chisari, and to Mrs. Caterina Bongiorno, who is in charge of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign in this parish.

To gather all the Sicilian Schoenstatt Family for the first time

Father Placido came to the Parish of Holy Trinity only two years ago, after being a missionary in Japan for 14 years, and he is extremely enthused with the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. For this reason, when Mrs. Caterina proposed the idea of a pilgrimage to Marineo, where the picture of our Blessed Mother Thrice Admirable is present and enthroned since October 18, 2005 in the mother Church, Father Placido was immediately enthused.

In this way, they decided to take the opportunity to also invite the other parishes of Sicily where the Campaign is present, and to gather all the Sicilian Schoenstatt Family for the first time. The idea of a first Regional encounter also awakened a great enthusiasm in Father Pino Spataro, pastor of the Parish of St. John the Apostle in Palermo, where the Campaign is very active, and Father Salvatore La Sala, was happy to host the other parishes, although because of pastoral reasons he was not present.

Father Martin Gomez, Schoenstatt Father from Argentina, accompanied them on this occasion; although only being been in Italy for a few months, he already speaks Italian very well.

Two Schoenstatt flags in front of the altar

The journey consisted of two sessions:

In the morning all enjoyed the hospitality of the Minor Friars of the Convent of the Shrine of Our Lady of Dajna, where the community from Marineo welcomed the large contingent from Marsala. Later the Rector of the Shrine, Father Salvino Pulizzotto welcomed them. Then Father Martin, spoke about the Covenant of Love and the capital of grace, and he also told about his vocation to the priesthood and his childhood experience in the Schoenstatt Movement.

The afternoon was very intensive. The Schoenstatt Family, along with the priests who were present, Father Martin, Father Placido and Father Pino gathered in the parish church, which had been beautifully decorated by missionaries from Marineo. There was the big MTA picture, and the earthen jar and a beautiful bouquet of white roses placed at its feet, and in front of the altar, that was also decorated with flowers, they placed two Schoenstatt flags. The result was very attractive: upon entering the Church an atmosphere of celebration, of joy, and of welcome was already perceived. Before the Mass, several of the participants deposited a little paper in the earthen jar at the feet of the Blessed Mother with a special gift and petition to the Blessed Mother: during the "Pilgrimage" all have asked our beloved Mother to establish herself in our church, with the following prayer:

The jar, full of capital of grace, was taken in procession to the altar during the offertory.

How the presence of the Pilgrim MTA unites the family in prayer

After this special moment of grace that was so strong, the solemn celebration of the Eucharist began presided by Father Martin. The Church was completely filled with people; in addition to the communities of Marsala and of Marineo there were also groups from other parishes, especially from Carini and from Palermo.

After Communion, representatives of the Campaign from all the parishes in attendance deposited a candle at the feet of Mary to renew the commitment was assumed, in the name of all the missionaries, and to ask our beloved Blessed Mother to guide tehm in their mission, of bringing families to the parish and to the Sacraments, of helping and of being a point of reference for the families that surround us, in a way that we may be reflections of the Light of Christ. Then all renewed their Consecration to Mary, followed by a time of Adoration, and at the end the Eucharistic blessing was imparted.

Before the closing of the encounter, several missionaries from different parishes, gave their testimony, which awakened a great applause among the audience. The testimonies clearly showed the infinite graces that Mary brings to our homes and above all how her presence unites the family in prayer

Hymn to the Pilgrim MTA

The entire journey was animated by the parish choir of Marineo, who sang some Schoenstatt songs, such as the Hymn of the Pilgrim MTA and Mary of the Covenant, and other songs composed by Father Pino Saptaro.

Another moment of enormous joy and communion was the fraternal sharing, which was made possible thanks to the Sisters of the Marian School and the Superior Sister Rosa Maira, who placed the hall of the school at our disposal, and thanks to the missionaries and the people of Marineo who prepared delicious delicacies to share with the many people who came from other parishes. The occasion also served to exchange experiences. The community of Marineo has shown an enormous spirit of welcoming, making their hospitality felt with immense fraternal warmth, and Father Placido, was very happy for the splendid journey that was experienced, he has invited everyone to Marsala next year, and so if the MTA desires it, we will have a second regional encounter.

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA