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 published: 2006-08-30

Our thoughts return to Marienfeld, to the Field of Mary

Schoenstatt Summer concluded with the Night of the Shrine. The night was illuminated by the procession of torches

 

Noche del Santuario en el Santuario Original en Schoenstatt

Night of the Shrine at the Original Shrine in Schoenstatt

Nacht des Heiligtums beim Urheiligtum in Schönstatt

Foto: POS Fischer © 2006

 

Procesión de la Iglesia de la Adoración rumbo al Santuario Original

Procession from the Adoration Church to the Original Shrine

Prozession von der Anbetungskirche zum Urheiligtum

 

Momentos de oración y de recuerdos....

Moments of prayer and of memories...

Augenblicke des Gebets und der Erinnerung...

 

Santa Misa: P. Heinrich Walter

Holy Mass: Fr. Heinrich Walter

Heilige Messe: P. Heinrich Walter

Fotos: Bagnières © 2006

 

El Santuario iluminado invitó a los jovenes...

The illumined Shrine invited the youth to enter...

Das hell erleuchtete Heiligtum lud die Jugend ein…

 

Alianza de Amor en el Santuario Original

Covenant of Love in the Original Shrine

Liebesbündnis im Urheiligtum

Fotos: POS Fischer © 2006

albúm de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

Áudio Santa Misa  - Audio Holy Mass – Audio Heilige Messe

 

 

 

SCHOENSTATT, Stefanie Frank. The first Schoenstatt Summer concluded last weekend (August 26th and 27th) with the Night of the Shrine, there was a pilgrimage of youth to the Original Shrine, in which the experience of last year’s World Youth Day vigil –resounded – and was prolonged. The youth enjoy making use of the night to live and to pray, that is what is done the best and more profoundly in this place, just as Father Heinrich Walter said, during the homily of the Midnight Mass, with an understanding smile. The highlight of the Night of the Shrine was the procession of torches from Mount Schoenstatt to the Original Shrine, as well as the last Eucharist at midnight celebrated in front of the Shrine. Gathered in the middle of the night around the Shrine, our thoughts return to Marienfeld – the Marian field –to the vigil with Pope Benedict XVI and the experience of World Youth Day, said Father Walter.

Four weeks have passed since Schoenstatt Summer: after a month full of programs, this youth festival ended with the "Night of the Shrine". Some three hundred youth from all of Germany and other parts of the World arrived at Schoenstatt for this celebration. While the organizers perhaps proposed too many things with offers for the day and at the beginning of one or another of the workshops the moderators, the speakers, or the public, or all of them were missing, once the procession with torches began that special feeling of World Youth Day was repeated. The youth arrived with torches and candles in hand to adore Him throughout all the night and more.

Testimonies: Schoenstatt in my life

During the day the young adults had time to dedicate themselves intensively to Schoenstatt. The topics: vocations, Father Kentenich and the Original Shrine. Alexandra, from Poland, spoke to a group of youths about "Schoenstatt in my life".

How did you get to know Schoenstatt? What are your best memories from that moment until now? "I was raised with my grandparents, and the Sisters of Mary bought some land beside theirs. That is how where I had the first and very early contact with Schoenstatt", the young lady related.

When she was in school she was a practicing Catholic and she sealed her Covenant of Love. But there was a time in her life in which her faith completely eclipsed. "I met other people at the university. However, somehow I did not have the feeling that something was missing without the faith", said Alexandra. In the year 2005 she decided to participate in the World Youth Day in Cologne, with the idea that perhaps this would again bring her close to God. "I did not want to participate in the Youth Festival that was held previously in Schoenstatt, I only wanted to go to Cologne. I was skeptical, but I finally came here and I had a wonderful time that brought me back to practicing the faith", she said. "It was simply fantastic to experience this along with so many youths from all the countries and to pray with them. That is why I came to Schoenstatt this year as a volunteer and I have had some unforgettable moments. Very often I stayed up very late in the night speaking with youths from Mexico or Puerto Rico, and the best thing is that I always felt that I was understood, in spite that we are separated by many kilometers", Alexandra said.

How will Alexandra’s life continue with Schoenstatt? Maybe I will go to Australia for the World Youth Day 2008 and offer the Schoenstatt youth some help, or perhaps I will go to South America". The young girl continued: "Of course, later on I want to form a family and my future should certainly be as a Schoenstatter."

She knows it would be a problem to find the man of her dreams in the Schoenstatt youth from Poland: "There are approximately one hundred girls and only 15 boys. Who could I marry then?" But there are Schoenstatt young men in other countries, and now, first of all, I will return to the university. She wants to obtain a doctorate.

Comments from the youth

Andrea Spinner and Thomas Heitzmann, from Baden Wurttemberg, were present when Alexandra told her experiences. "It was very interesting. We learned about Schoenstatt from our parents, but we did not belong to the Movement. We wanted to take the opportunity of learning about Schoenstatt through this experience", said Andrea. What have both of you liked the most? There are many people from different countries and cultures; nevertheless, they understand us. It will not be our last visit to Schoenstatt. We will return", said Thomas. Angelika Schullner, from Benediktbeuren, recently joined the Movement, she heard positives echoes from last year’s festival and she thought that she would also like to experience it. She arrived to Schoenstatt with some friends and she affirms "here I can be myself". Belén, from Argentina and Verónica, from Ecuador, made the long trip to Schoenstatt and they were excited by the atmosphere. "We are here for the first time and it is simply fabulous: everything is so dynamic and so international", the young girls said.

The torches illuminated the night

Before procession of torches and the Midnight Eucharist, that was the high point of the night, there was still time for a soccer game.

A selection of boys from the Boys’ Youth from Wurzburg –"The best of Wurzburg" – played against a team that was spontaneously formed. The fans energetically encouraged their respective teams and finally all the participants were victorious on the field, since the game ended in a tie. Meanwhile, the different Schoenstatt Houses were busy preparing refreshments for the old stable of Mount Schoenstatt, so that the players as well as the fans could stay up for the rest of the night. The vigil continued with the motto: "Welcome to the world" in the Father Kentenich House. There were dances, songs and Power Point presentations showed scenes from Schoenstatt Summer. Unfortunately, it unnecessarily turned into some of the experiences of the volunteers, and it was at a very childish level, which impeded creating a joyful community atmosphere. Some of the guests felt a sensation of shame…But this was quickly converted.

At 10:00 p.m., the torches and the little candles illuminated the night. Some three hundred youths went singing and praying to the tomb of Father Kentenich in the Adoration Church, and from there they began the walk towards the valley.

Over there, the Original Shrine waited for them completely illuminated, that invited the youth to enter according the motto of Schoenstatt Summer: "my home is your home", and to spend all night there.

Our thoughts return to Marienfeld, the Field of Mary

They gathered in front of the Original Shrine for an outdoor Midnight Holy Mass, celebrated by Father Heinrich Walter, President of the Schoenstatt General Presidency.

Father Heirich Walter began his homily with these words: "It is midnight, and gathered here in the middle of the night, in the darkness,, surely you remember Marienfeld, you remember Cologne". It truly evoked the Midnight Eucharist of last year’s vigil, in Marienfeld. And once again the very special atmosphere of World Youth Day was created.

"This journey has not finished, as can be seen here and in many Shrines of all the world, the road continues. It has not finished with World Youth Day", said Father Walter.

This is precisely what the youth wanted to accomplish with this celebration: a continuation of the World Youth Day experiences, so that they would not be forgotten upon returning to daily life.

We are not alone in the middle of the night

Father Walter continued the homily referring especially to the motto of this project: "My home is your home"

"In the middle of the night you must know where your home is. You must know that you have a home: "My home is your home’, is also the motto for these days", said Father Walter and he continued: "In the middle of the night we are not alone, we are in the Shrine that is our homeland, it is the home that unites us and also attracts us to this place!"

Father Walter asked: "What do we find in the Shrine? What do we want to find? What do we ask?

We find Father Kentenich –the Founder of Schoenstatt – who gives orientation and security. We also find the co-founders in the Original Shrine, such as Joseph Engling or Karl Leisner, and of course the Blessed Mother. "Here we find the Mother, the Mother with her Son, the Mother who looks at us. I often think that the look which the Blessed Mother looks at me is enough. Because with her I understand that she is in me and with me. Sometimes her look is a challenge. She wants something more from me, she needs me", said Father Walter.

The Star

"Above all of us is the star that came out for us last year. That star tells us that it is worth while to take life seriously, since it is too short to be satisfied with things half done", Father Walter Heinrich concluded. The rain that began to fall in the meanwhile did not dampen the atmosphere. The Eucharist ended with joyful songs and prayers, but the night was still not over…

The Original Shrine was completely illuminated and it was at the disposal of the international youth. They all ran inside not only to seek protection from the rain. No, these young people wanted something more; they had come to adore Jesus. The stream of youth who came to pray did not cease throughout almost all the night.

Some took the opportunity to seal their Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother during this celebration. Some of them had planned it ahead of time, others spontaneously decided to take this step on this night.

There were also youth from other countries of the world, who gathered at the same time to pray in their Shrines. Not only Schoenstatt Summer had the ideal of prolonging the World Youth Day experience. In Cologne, on the First Anniversary of World Youth Day, more than a thousand youths gathered in Marienfeld, and along with Cardinal Meisner they celebrated a vigil on the hill where the Pope had been. Cardinal Meisner promised those present that by next year they would have what Schoenstatt already has: an altar, a cross and a chapel dedicated to Mary for the Pope’s Hill.

An animated conclusion to Schoenstatt Summer

The last Eucharist, on Sunday, August 27th, once more attracted many young people, families, and those who are young at heart to the Pilgrims’ Church.

For the last time during this Schoenstatt Summer the youth paraded with flags from all the world, the international atmosphere of this encounter was felt for the last time. All of this was animated by the sound of the Esperamor Band that musically animated the Holy Mass.

"Summer" 2006 in Germany has bid farewell! Until next year!

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA


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