Texas Invites You on a Schoenstatt Journey of Faith

37th Annual Schoenstatt Boys Walk, July 8-9, 2006

Caminando Walking Unterwegs
Cada año de nuevo Each year again Jedes Jahr wieder Fotos: Arriaga © 2006

USA, Vanya Gobbi. 36 years of walking, and still going strong! This two-day pilgrimage will travel from the Wayside Shrine in Corpus Christi, Texas to the Schoenstatt Shrine in Lamar, Texas. May the Schoenstatt and greater Catholic community unite in this Marian journey, whether by praying for the pilgrims, spreading word of the event, or putting on a pair of walking shoes!

The Schoenstatt Boys Walk is a pilgrimage commemorating the ordination of Father Josef Kentenich, founder of the Schoenstatt movement. The Walk began in 1969, approximately one year after the death of Fr. Kentenich. A small group of boys from Corpus Christi, Texas wanted to pilgrimage to Germany to show their appreciation for what Father Kentenich did for their Catholic community and for the continual blessing of the Mother Thrice Admirable. Unable to make make the overseas journey, they adapted their plans, walking from the Wayside Shrine in Corpus Christi, Texas to the Schoenstatt Shrine in Lamar, Texas.

A Symbolic Journey That Really Moves

What started off with four boys has grown into an annual walk of up to fifty or sixty participants. Throughout the walk, pilgrims are encouraged to pray and offer petitions and sacrifices to the Blessed Mother for various intentions, including: health, vocations, personal goals, peace, love, family, friends, and those who have not yet given themselves to God. Veteran walkers have boldly extended an invitation to all Catholic boys and men prepared to experience, "the POWER and GLORY of God and of our Blessed Mother in this journey of faith."

Celebrating the Gift of the Shrine

The movement of Schoenstatt was sealed with Mary and with the Blessed Trinity in the shrine chapel, of which there are 180 replicas in the world today, dedicated to the "Mater ter admirabilis" (Mother Thrice Admirable). This journey from shrine to shrine encourages participants in their pursuit of everyday sanctity, through Mary. In this way the Schoenstatt Boys hope to fulfill the challenge of Vatican II, ´to consecrate the World´"1.

Schoenstatt Women, Your Assistance Please

Women in this area of Texas are asked to spread news of this upcoming pilgrimage to all of the Catholic men in their lives. It is hoped that women will inspire their husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, uncles, nephews, godsons, brothers-in-law, fiancés, co-workers, friends, neighbors, members of their churches, and all THEIR family and friends, to attend this years Schoenstatt Boys Walk. Moreover, please pray for the success of this endeavour. All Catholic boys and men 13 years of age and older should receive an invitation, with possible exceptions for younger boys.

Again, every Catholic gentleman is invited to join in this glorious pilgrimage!

Join Schoenstatt, Texas Today!

Monthly meetings will soon begin. For more information on the Schoenstatt Boys Walk, such as times and requirements, or on Schoenstatt activities in Corpus Christi or Lamar, Texas, please contact:

• Primo Garcia, Walk Coordinator, 361-548-8250, (Walking for 20 years)
• Nick De La Paz, Walk Coordinator, 361-443-4384, (Walking for 18 years)
• Fr. Hector Vega, Schoenstatt Movement, of Corpus Christi, Texas, 361-992-9841

1. "(…)worshiping everywhere by their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world itself to God." DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH, LUMEN GENTIUM, Proclaimed By His Holiness, Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, no.34 see here for full text.

Edited with material provided by Nick De La Paz.

Vanya Gobbi, Canada, is a short-term volunteer of PressOffice Schoenstatt.