The Fire of Joseph still Burns

Schoenstatt Summer: trip to Cambrai

La realidad de la guerra mundial... The reality of World War I Konfrontation mit der Realität des Ersten Weltkriegs
Alma de la peregrinación: Pablo Hannappel, con la Hna Vernita Weiß y el Padre Ludwig Güthlein Heart and soul of the pilgrimage: Paul Hannappel, here with Sister Vernita Weiß and Father Ludwig Güthlein Herz und Seele der Wallfahrt: Paul Hannappel, hier mit Schwester Vernita Weiß und Pater Ludwig Güthlein
En las huellas de José Engling... In the footsteps of Joseph Engling In den Spuren Josef Englings
Momentos de reflexion Moments of reflection Nachdenken, weiterdenken…
Fuego de José Engling Enging Fire Englingfeuer Fotos: Signorini © 2006

SCHOENSTATT, Francesca Signorini He, who thinks that Joseph English, who died on October 4, 1918, on the battle front, close to Cambrai, is forgotten, is greatly mistaken, and above all in Schoenstatt, this is with special thanks, to one person: the Brother of Mary, Paul Hannappel. Mr. Hannappel, is an older person and he bears the signs of his age, but his love for Joseph Engling is more alive than ever.

Once more, notwithstanding his precarious state of health, he came forward and he decided to accompany a group to Cambrai, for the unknown number of times. He has guided groups to Cambrai through entire generations of Schoenstatters from the entire world, more or less young, and however, each time it is a new challenge and this also time, Mr. Hannappel conquered it! This is about accompanying a special group: the youth who participated in Schoenstatt – Summer 2006. The group was extremely international, only three girls spoke German. At the point of departure, on the morning of Monday, August 7^th, those present were: Maria and Gracy – Kenya; Melisa and Yanet – Mexico; Veronica and Cristina – Germany; Kenya and Italy proudly participated for the first time, on the trip to Cambrai.

ON THE WAY

The young girls were a little worried about what awaited them, not only because it was about going to encounter the most important place of World War I, but also because Mr. Hannappel guided them with military discipline, partly to set the atmosphere and partly seriously.

During the encounter of preparation on the night before the departure, he ordered all of them to take only that which was strictly necessary and to be punctual. Monday morning, the girls earned a demerit because they took too long greeting friends at the Original Shrine after Morning Prayer, before departing. During the trip, there were few talks; there were only songs about Joseph Engling, on cassettes with copies of the lyrics.

After a while, however, more than a general, Mr. Hannappel was converted into the most precious treasure of the trip.

With determination and enthusiasm he guided the group to the most important places of the war extensively explaining each stage, the historic meaning of the place and the meaning for Schoenstatt, thanks to the presence of Joseph Engling. Notwithstanding the necessity of always having to translate from German to English they were all impressed by his ability. But they were also impressed by his enthusiasm, his willingness to joke and to set aside the unexpected things, such as for example, the visit to a very small, private museum on Monday afternoon.

THE ARRIVAL TO CAMBRAI

The night we arrived at Cambrai, at the house where the girls would stay, which was close to the Schoenstatt Shrine, was unforgettable. They all stayed in the attic, with small spaces separated by small walls and curtains. Some of the girls felt they were really in the war, lying on cots; others felt they were in the house of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The most difficult thing was to struggle against the hunger and the weariness, since it was, nine thirty in the evening, when they arrived and there were still chores to do. They all concentrated on the work in the kitchen and to set the table for supper, guided by Yanet and Melisa, for a Mexican meal that was scheduled. Finally, at ten thirty everything was ready and the meal began. Thanks to the excellent "tacos, avocado, rice and beans" and Mr. Hannappel’s company, the weariness gradually disappeared and we they had a very good time.

Mr. Hannappel, related that before this house was built, the situation was much more difficult. The groups were housed at St. Hubert, a house at a distance and much smaller, , where every centimeter was utilized to the maximum and in an old railroad car, built in Germany, that ended up Cambrai, like many other war debts that Germany had to pay after World War I. All the groups who arrived to Cambrai fought over who would sleep in Oscar! The lack of space made it necessary to apply very strict rules, that Mr. Hannappel described perfectly. Like a good German, he made up the House Rules, which were based on three main points:

1. There is no house rule – if you do not agree, the first train for Schoenstatt leaves every morning at 6, 10.
2. The house has everything that is needed – learn to live with it
3. Do not leave the house cleaner than how you found it

Then there were several lines, for example: "each person may use the shower for three minutes!"

In short, between one conversation and another, it was past eleven o’clock, and it we still had to wash the dishes and to celebrate Holy Mass. The girls would have let it go, but Mr. Hannappel flatly said, "I’m going to bed, you go quickly to the Shrine, the rest will be done in the morning", he laid down the law. Without a chance to appeal, the girls went to the Chapel that had been transformed into a Midnight Mass. But what a surprise when after Mass, they returned to the kitchen and they saw that Mr. Hannappel wearing an apron, with one of the last pans in his hands, everything else had been washed and in order with the table set for breakfast. It was incredible! He, who seemed so severe, had rolled up his sleeves and he lovingly did what every mother would do.

They did not know how to thank him.

WAKE UP AT 7 AND 7 - DEPARTURE AT 9 AND 9

To instill punctuality in the girls, Mr. Hannappel came up with a plan in regard to the schedule, each appointment on the schedule listed the same hour and minute. For Example if the departure was ten o’clock it was listed 10:10 or bedtime at 12:12

But, as on each trip and since there had never been a trip to Cambrai of SchoenstattGirls’ Youth until now, they had to sing "Josef, du sucht eine kleine schwester". Although only a few spoke German, they all learned the refrain of the old song: Josef, du suchst eine kleine Schwester" (Joseph, you are seeking a little sister) singing it in a loud voice through the street in the auto and around the bonfire.

Along with this there were some expressions that Mr. Hannappel always repeated and they all remembered. The most frequent invocation was Jospeh’s petition for help or of that of thanksgiving: Joseph Hilf (Joseph Help!) that Mr. Hannappel, embroidered on a green apron that they still have at St. Hubert. Another very meaningful one and that was representative throughout the trip was like an invitation to take Joseph as a model was:

"Lass den Josef etwas deinem Leben machen" (Let Joseph transform your life)

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE TWO GIRL FRIENDS?

Would you like to have two girl friends that are not jealous of one another? Mr. Hannappel accomplished this impossible task! But, who are those two wonderful girl friends? It is about two French girls, German girls do not be offended, but based on his long experience in France, they had to be the French, who left marks on his heart. His first great love is undisputedly Saint Therese of Lisieux, who recently ceded a piece of Mr. Hannappel’s heart to a long time friend of hers, Saint Joan of Arc, about whom Mr. Hannappel has written a book and whom he has learned to profoundly know and love.

We could not finish without speaking about Joseph’s great love for Schoenstatt, for the Church that Mr. Hannappel continually transmitted to the girls and he invited them to take the heroic lives of Joseph, Saint Therese, and Joan of Arc as examples.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA