Men of a living faith

Mons. Felix Genn, Bishop of Essen, in Schoenstatt, accompanying the pilgrimage from his diocese

Bendición de una lámpara de seguridad de mineros Blessing of a miner’s lamp Segnung einer Grubenlampe Fotos: POS Fischer © 2006
Un regalo para el Obispo A gift for the Bishop Ein Geschenk für den Bischof Foto: Zillekens © 2006
Peregrinando del Santuario Original a la Iglesia de Peregrinos Pilgrimage from the Original Shrine to the Pilgrims’ Church Pilgerweg vom Urheiligtum zur Pilgerkirche Foto: POS Fischer © 2006
Mons. Genn con la placa de P. Heinrich König Bishop Genn with the plaque for Fr. Heinrich König Bischof Genn mit der Plakette für Pfr. Heinrich König Foto: Zillekens © 2006
Oración en la tumba del Padre Prayer at the tomb of Father Kentenich Gebet am Grab von Pater Kentenich Foto: POS Fischer © 2006 Albúm de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. On June 24^th, a true summer day with radiant sunshine, Mons. Felix Genn arrived in Schoenstatt with about 400 pilgrims from the Diocese of Essen, in the industrial area of Ruhr. The pilgrims gathered with their bishop in the Original Shrine, where they recalled the anniversary of the birth and the death of a young priest, Fr. Heinrich Konig, who died in the concentration camp of Dachau. He belonged to the Schoenstatt Family and he was the spiritual adviser of the Kolping Family. During the day a plaque to commemorate Father Heinrich Konig was blessed. During the Holy Mass – musically animated by the "Esperamor" Band from Vallendar – the bishop convoked the spiritual accompaniment of the restructuring process of the Diocese of Essen, and to give testimony to the vigor of the Catholic faith.

There are few pilgrims who arrive in Schoenstatt in the classic style (that is now being rediscovered): walking, with flags, perspiring, hungry, and thirsty with blisters on the feet. Usually they travel in very comfortable air conditioned buses and a good lunch is pre-planned. But lately the classic style of pilgrimage is returning at least for some minutes: walking the road from the Original Shrine to the pilgrim Church, at the beginning of the pilgrimage, with flags and prayers, and often lead by a bishop. Thus also on that sunny feast day of Saint John the Baptist. Mons. Felix Genn joined the 400 or so pilgrims from Essen already at the Original Shrine and prayed with them for a blessed pilgrimage day. In the Original Shrine he received an original gift with much meaning: a security lamp –like those used by miners – appropriate for a diocese in the industrial region of Ruhr and also fitting for the process of restructuring that is taking place in the Diocese of Essen, with perseverance but also with much suffering. Light is good! And with this gift they wanted to express that light is not only good on a sunny day of pilgrimage, but always. This security lamp will remain in the Shrine of Essen – Kray, where on the first Thursday of the month there will be Eucharistic Adoration and a Holy Mass celebrated for the intentions of the diocese and of the bishop. Other Movements and New Communities have already said that they want to participate.

Father Heinrich Konig, a witness of faith.

In the Original Shrine, in the Pilgrim Church and also that afternoon during the Marian celebration in the Adoration Church, the plaque with the image of the young priest, Father Heinrich Konig, accompanied them. June 24^th was the anniversary of his birth on earth and also in heaven. Arrested by the National Socialists and sent to Dachau, the young Schoenstatt priest was a witness of a living faith even in death, he was a witness of a living faith, a faith that does not live in the first place by structures, the Mass schedule or a pastoral system, rather its is totally a personal experience of a God that is alive, for whom he lives and dies.

Christianity did not start with buildings, structures and discussions; rather, it began with living men. The Bible, the Word of God, did not start with notes in a book; rather, it began with narrations of experiences that were lived, and shares, Mons. Genn said in the homily. If our Christianity is not life, all the structural changes will be meaningless. A true interior renewal can only come from God. In the life of Saint John the Baptist or in the life of the Blessed Mother, and also in the life of Father Heinrich Konig, you cannot see great success in purely human dimensions. The question may arise: What was the life that they lived? However, the life of this witness has been fruitful for many people. In the present situation of worry and of doubts caused by the process of restructuring in the diocese, you can also see the reality of the seed that falls on the soil and dies, but it carries the promise of a great fruitfulness.

That this acknowledgment by the Church will be the cause of graces and blessings for all of us

A touching moment for all who had the good fortune to participate, took place after the Marian celebration in the Adoration Church, when Mons. Genn along with the priests went to the tomb of Father Kentenich. With a brief spontaneous prayer, he expressed gratitude for the life and the work of Father Kentenich and he prayed for the success of his process of canonization, "so that this acknowledgment by the Church would be a cause of graces and blessings for all of us".

After the Marian celebration the bishop returned to Essen, while the pilgrims enjoyed the sunny weather and participated in several activities that are offered in Mount Schoenstatt…and they also raised a prayer to heaven at 5:00 p.m. when the soccer game between Germany and Sweden began. As you know, it was a success!

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA