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Mons. Marx con la familia superior general, Francisco
y Anneliese Nuño, y el Asistente Espiritual, el P. Horacio Sosa
Bishop Marx with the Superior General, Francisco and
Anneliese Nuño, and the Spiritual Assistant, Fr. Horacio Sosa
Bischof Marx mit der Generalobernfamilie, Francisco
und Anneliese Nuño, und dem Geistlichen Assistenten, Pater Horacio
Sosa
Foto: Lavini © 2006
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Misa en el Santuario de Familias
Holy Mass at the Shrine of the Families
Heilige Messe am Heiligtum der Familien
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Las familias capitulares y otras familias de Instituto
venidas con ese motivo participaron en la Misa
The chapter families, and several families of the Institute
from nearby, participated in the Mass
Die Familien des Kapitels und mehrere Familien des Instituts
aus der Nähe waren bei der Messe dabei
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Mike y Margaret Fenelon dieron un testimonio sobre
el Santuario Hogar
Mike and Margaret Fenelon gave a testimony on the life
in the Home Shrine
Mike und Margaret Fenelon gaben ein Zeugnis über das
Leben mit dem Hausheiligtum
Fotos: POS Fischer © 2006
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Ulrich y Maria Wolff ofrecen la llave del Santuario
a Monseñor Marx
Ulrich and Maria Wolff present the key of the Shrine
to Bishop Marx
Ulrich und Maria Wolff überreichen dem Bischof den Schlüssel
des Heiligtums
Foto: Lavini © 2006
Album
de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum
Predigt
– Homilia – Sermon
O-Ton
– Áudio impressions – impresiones
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Fotos: © 2006 |
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SCHOENSTATT, mfk. The Bishop of Trier, Monsignor Dr. Reinhard Marx,
confirmed the importance of marriage and the family during his recent
visit to Schoenstatt on Thursday, July 27th. He declared, "We can be grateful
because in our society, after decades of blindness to this fact, we are
starting to see once again that marriage and the family are essential
to the future of society." The Bishop was addressing some 50 delegates
who are presently in session in Vallendar–Schoenstatt for the 4th General
Chapter of the Schoenstatt Institute for Families. This Institute is a
part of the Schoenstatt Family Work that was founded in Dachau by Father
Joseph Kentenich on July 16, 1942.
As part of his time with the delegates, Monsignor Marx celebrated Holy
Mass in the Shrine of Families. In his homily, he expressed gratitude
to all those in the Family Branch of the International Schoenstatt Movement.
He thanked them for committing their lives to giving a Christian testimony
in their communities, parishes, family circles, and the secular world.
Monsignor Marx also encouraged them to persevere and to never cease to
give this Christian witness. The Bishop stated that it is crucial to live
and demonstrate an informed and intelligent Catholic faith in the secular
world: "He who relies on God and directs his gaze to the Invisible is
truly intelligent."
To begin the Eucharistic celebration, Ulrich and Maria Wolff greeted
the bishop. The Wolff’s are from Eberbach (close to Heidelberg) and serve
as National Assessors of the Family Branch in Germany. In their welcoming
remarks, they assured Bishop Marx that the Movement would continue its
mission and would work in the future so "that the Church would be a true
Family of God".
A style of life where marriage and family are lived as a vocation in
the spirit of the evangelical counsels.
Earlier in the day, five couples from the countries of Chile, the United
States, the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany spoke about their personal
experiences within the Movement. The couples explained what was important
to families who have chosen a style of life where marriage and family
are lived as a vocation in the spirit of the evangelical counsels. This
phenomenon is something so new in the history of the Church that there
are still some obstacles to overcome before gaining ecclesiastical recognition.
The Bishop asked the Chapter families, "How is this in Rome?" Then he
commented, "In the imminent "ad limina," visit, it could be that I will
be asked."In their brief reports, the couples explained that while this
way of life is so new that it lacks official, canonical recognition, at
the same time, it is being affirmed and lived in various different cultures,
life stages, and life situations. The description of the fundamental points
of the modern matrimonial and family spirituality that the families are
striving to live included: integral and whole matrimonial love, the experience
of the domestic Church in the Home Shrine, mandatory marriage dialogue,
social and political commitment, and the discovery of the personal charisma
of each child unto their maximal development.
What the church expects from the Schoenstatt Families
"It would be very good for many couples and families to integrate themselves
into such a community or to be close to it," said Monsignor Marx. In this
context, he expects concrete acts of active support from Schoenstatt:
Rather than talking about the "theory" of marriage of the family, this
Movement is about the "living" family, and it is crucial to show how important
faith is to having a whole marriage and healthy family. The family is
of such vital importance that the Bishop believes that preparation for
the marriage sacrament should be much more intensive and spiritual. Perhaps
some marriages fail because no one shows the young people that they should
see matrimony as a project, or to use a Schoenstatt expression, "together,
we have an ideal and a mission."The bishop also encouraged the Institute
of Families to look at "the connection of the spiritual and of politics"
and to be "socially and politically active based on their faith." "Marriage
and the family cannot be replaced by other forms of lifestyles," said
Monsignor Marx. He also said that the solution to some of the current
problems is not to coerce or convince people to have children through
financial incentives; rather, the family must be demonstrated as a source
of great joy. "Show that you are happy having many children, show that
it is good for children to have siblings and that in such families, a
spiritual life is also lived. Show everyone that this is possible!" After
the talks, the Chapter presented Bishop Marx with an excerpt from the
"Book of the Family" of the Institute, along with a basket containing
specialties from all the countries represented. Then, they all went to
the Shrine to celebrate the Mass together.
Presently there are 214 couples from 14 countries that belong to the
Institute of Families, and there are 85 other couples involved in the
introductory phase.
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, USA / Amy Peebles,
Austin, USA
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