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 published: 2006-06-20

Do you know the land…of the Father? Yes…

Pilgrimage of the Mothers Branch from Portugal to Schoenstatt

 

La Rama de Madres de Portugal en el Santuario Original

The Schoenstatt Mothers from Portugal at the Original Shrine

Die Schönstatt-Mütter aus Portugal vor der Urheiligtum

 

Renovación de la Alianza de Amor en el Santuario Original

Renewing the Covenant of Love in the Original Shrine

Erneuerung des Liebesbündnisses im Urheiligtum

 
 

Descanso

Rest

Kleine Pause auf den Stufen der Anbetungskirche

 

Con cartas y fotos de seres queridos en el Santuario Original

With letters and photos of loved ones in the Original Shrine

Fotos und Briefe auf dem Altar – die nicht dabei sein können, sind so auch da

 
 

Llevó todo su grupo

She brought her whole group

Sie hat die ganze Gruppe dabei

 
 

Visita a Koblenz

Visiting Koblenz

Auch ein Besuch in Koblenz darf nicht fehlen

Fotos: Carvalho © 2006

 

 

 

SCHOENSTATT. Mkf. "Do you know the land…?" was the motto of the pilgrimage of the Mothers Branch from Portugal. Gathered in the chapel of House Sonnenau on the last day of their stay, the 22 ladies, accompanied by Father Alexandre Martinez and Sister Nadia, gave their evaluation about the four day pilgrimage to "the land", Schoenstatt: Yes, now we know this land…the land of the Original Shrine, the land of Father Kentenich, the land that is warm and familiar, that has been transformed in our land - our Schoenstatt land.

"To enter the Original Shrine" was what was most touching to almost all of the mothers during their pilgrimage through the Schoenstatt land. This Shrine, where everything began - the original place of that Covenant of Love of October 18th, that started everything that exists today in Schoenstatt - is the source of all the life that springs around the almost 200 daughter shrines in the world, including those in Portugal. "The first Mass in the Original Shrine," on June 13th at 11:00 a.m., was a milestone of the pilgrimage for many. "It was a moment that was very, very touching. I never imagined that it would be like this", commented one woman. A group of mothers solemnly renewed their Covenant of Love in the Original Shrine. One young mother, who had sealed her Covenant of Love shortly before the pilgrimage, brought a photo of all the mothers in her group. "I promised them I would bring all of them", she said. And she did. Letters, photos, symbols, envelopes with petitions and answered prayers, with signs of commitment and promises that only the MTA knows, were deposited on the altar of the Original Shrine…Since they were staying at House Sonnenau, it was possible for them to visit the Original Shrine every day, often during their breaks; something that all the mothers did in spite of an intensive schedule.

All the Shrines have something unique and something in common

"I was impressed with the peace that reigns in Schoenstatt and how a great peace and tranquility encompasses the person", said one woman. The houses, the Shrines, the paths: everything breathes the Covenant of Love. "All the Shrines have something unique and all of them have something in common", commented another one of them. During the four days that they were in Schoenstatt, they visited almost all the Schoenstatt Shrines, celebrating Mass in a different shrine each day, and practically every Shrine now has one more "fanatic". "My favorite shrine is the Family Shrine", commented one mother. The photos of the Home Shrine and of so many families is something very special". She was also deeply impressed by the statue of the Holy Family. "Are there any small replicas?", she wanted to know. She would like to take one for her Home Shrine, and many other mothers also shared her desire!

The Shrine of Mount Moriah, with its spectacular view, Mount Sion with the Father statue in front, the Mount Regina Shrine in Marienland of the Sisters: each one of them is a treasure to be discovered! "I felt a great curiosity upon my arrival", admitted one lady who did not know much about the Movement. "What will Schoenstatt be like? All the Shrines are alike and all are different, that is what fascinates me!" She added: "I don’t know what I want…Do I want to stay or do I want to leave so that I can return…I discovered that the charisma of Schoenstatt is something special".

All of them felt very much at home and "treated like princesses" at Sonnenau, is how one of them expressed it. Not to speak about the salad dressing at Sonnenau!!!

The greatest gift: To discover Father

All these experiences, were undoubtedly wonderful, but we were still missing the greatest gift of this unforgettable pilgrimage. "I am very happy that they discovered Father", said Sister Nadia, after each of the 22 participants had commented on their deepest experience. On the night of June 13th they had a vigil at Father’s tomb. Ana Carvalho, of the Federation Mothers, prepared a Power Point presentation that was shown at the beginning of the vigil. "It is not enough to take the mothers to Father’s tomb and expect for them to receive a grace; one must help them to find Father here", she explains. To encounter a Father, a prophet, someone who is interested in each one of them, who have never seen him…Another moment of encounter with Father took place at Mount Sion, where Father Alexandre showed them "the hand of the Father": a concrete relief of Father Kentenich’s hand. Many mothers placed their hand in Father’s hand - our hand in the hand of the Father… They also had strong encounters with Father in his room in Schulungsheim. "I made a stronger commitment with Father and with his mission", a lady affirmed, while another one asked where there were books so that she could learn more about Father’s life. "Father Kentenich is a saint", said one mother with conviction. "My commitment with him is stronger and stronger. Father, grant me more peace!" –"I want to better understand Father Kentenich’s entire mission", …"the structure of his work", …"the spirituality", were some of the other comments. Perhaps someday a retreat can be held in Schoenstatt, several of them mused...and one mother summarized the experience saying, "It was a great encounter with the Father".

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/ Vanya Gobbi, Canada


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