You are my hope; become my holy springtime!

Jubilee Celebration of the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth in Minnesota, USA

Jovenes que renovaron su Alianza de Amor en el Santuario Youth who renewed their covenant of love in the Shrine Dreizehn Jugendliche erneuerten ihr Liebesbündnis im Heiligtum
Mons. John Niensted hablando a las jovenes sobre la santidad Bishop John Nienstedt talking to the girls on the importance of sanctity Bischof John Nienstedt spricht zu den Mädchen über die Bedeutung der Heiligkeit
Llevando la replica de la Cruz de la JMJ en la procesión del rosario Carrying the replica of the World Youth Day Cross in the rosary procession from the Shrine to St. Mary’s Mit einer Kopie des Weltjugendtagskreuzes vom Heiligtum zur Pfarrkirche
Lideres con Mons. Nienstedt despues de la bendición de la sala Ver Sacrum Patris Leaders with Bishop Niensted in the Ver Sacrum Patris room after the blessing Verantwortliche mit Bischof Nienstedt nach der Segnung des Ver Sacrum Patris-Raums
Bendición de santuarios hogares Girls who had their room shrine articles blessed by the bishop Die Gegenstände für ihr Hausheiligtum ließen sie vom Bischof segnen
En el tractor Wagon ride Fahrt auf dem Heuwagen – ohne Heu Fotos: Rockers © 2006

USA, Beth Rockers. On a beautiful summer day, 55 Schoenstatt Girls' Youth gathered in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, USA to celebrate two jubilees. 45 girls were at the high school camp, and 10 youth leaders came for one day to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Schoenstatt Girls' Youth and the 50th Jubilee here in the United States. As youth leaders, we had planned this day for several months.

First of all, Bishop Nienstedt, the local Bishop of the New Ulm diocese, came for morning prayer in the Shrine, then breakfast. At his table, the girls talked a little bit about their World Youth Day experiences in Germany. In exchange, he told them his stories of last year in Germany as well. Afterwards, Andrea Gawarecki, one of the leaders gave a talk of introduction on how the girls' youth began. Bishop Nienstedt had the floor next as he spoke of his work protecting the difficult fight to defend marriage. This is a very challenging job as U. S. citizens fight to stand up to unite the nation in this ammendment. He also spoke in a fatherly way about modesty. Bishop Nienstedt encouraged the girls to help other youth, even their boyfriends to value modesty of dress and action. Later, as a jubilee gift, the girls picked this up as a point of apostolate for the coming year.

Ver Sacrum Patris Room blessed by the Bishop

Several girls preparing for their room shrine dedication had their religious articles blessed by the Bishop. He also dedicated the girls' youth meeting room called Ver Sacrum Patris (VSP) Room. This past year they held leaders meetings there, including discussions on the room decor. They added an Italian crucifix and the famous picture of Fr. Kentenich with a little girl. This picture reminds them all of childlikeness.

Bishop Nienstedt had other appointments, so they were grateful for his time amongst them. The parish priest from Sleepy Eye came to say Mass, talking about martyrs of the church. Stephen, Maria Goretti, and Maximillian Kolbe died for their faith, inspiring us today. Afterwards, 13 girls from the Minnesota Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth renewed their dedication in the Jubilee Family Shrine.

Pioneer camp experiences shared

The leaders helped serve the banquet meal to the high-schoolers to continue the birthday celebration of the Jubilee. Different groups entertained the group with songs and jokes throughout the meal. Then they had a pilgrimage walk to St. Mary's parish. They prayed the Rosary along the way, and carried a model of the World Youth Day cross, the MTA picture, and flags in the procession. They also took a bus to the next town of Leavenworth to visit the Blessed Mother erected in the parish. A mother of two children (and a music liturgist for the church) came to share her stories of her pioneer camp experiences as a girl at Schoenstatt on the Lake. At her first year of camp, the girls weren't able to stay by the shrine. The girls literally "camped out" at the campground.

The goodness of God

For the final event of the day, Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher, opened their farm to the girls for a good ol' fashioned hoedown. The yard was built like a park with unique swings and homemade things to keep them having fun for hours! The hayride (without hay) through the country was fun too. Ducking below tree branches, they drove along the Cottonwood River that eventually connects to the Mississippi. Anyone want to go down to New Orleans?!!!

To end the evening, they roasted hotdogs over the campfire, ate chips, watermelon, and s'mores. The favorite camp singers provided a concert, and they learned Irish dancing, too.

After the bus ride back to Sleepy Eye, last minute goodbyes, emails, and see you later, were said in the last 15 minutes or less. The Blessed Mother gave the girls a beautiful day, and the gorgeous sunset to be seen earlier reminded of the goodness of God.