Victorious Day

Sao Paulo Shrine blessed after restoration project completed

Capital de gracias que se hace visible... Capital of grace that can be seen... Manchmal muss man Gnadenkapital eben sehen können…
Bendición Blessing Segnung
Una alegría tambien por el obispo A joy also for the diocesan bishop Eine Freude auch für den Ortsbischof
Fotos: www.maeperegrina.com.br Album de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum Video

BRAZIL, Sr. M. Nilza P. da Silva. The Schoenstatt Family of Vila Mariana in Sao Paulo could hardly wait for the blessing of the restored Shrine. After working for half a year to transform the heart Shrine into a living Shrine, the project was finally complete and the day for the ceremony arrived. On July 8th, more than a thousand people turned out to celebrate the event, and the Shrine stood ready to receive the pilgrims.

People began arriving early in the morning, as each diocese, region, and group worked to prepare a panel to show their contribution to the Shrine restoration. The panels displayed how that group had spiritually achieved and conquered the part of the Shrine that had been assigned to them. As the morning progressed, the sun shone brightly, reflecting the glory of the occasion and the joy that filled each heart. With each empty space filled and all waiting in anticipation, the bell began to ring and Handel’s "Alleluia" chorus sounded out as Jesus in the Holy Sacrament arrived to take possession of the restored tabernacle. It was a moment of great emotion and profound prayer! Then, all prayed the Angelus and the leaders from San Amaro led the group in the rosary. The Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth accompanied the prayers with singing throughout the day.

Panels explain the restoration

The panels explain how each of the 16 parts of the Shrine were divided and achieved spiritually by the group responsible for each part. Upon entering the Shrine, you see a panel with the symbol of the Holy Spirit. There are also posters, videos, a Father Kentenich room; the door of the Shrine is represented as well. The panels show the story of the votive lamp, explain the saints on the altarpiece, and so forth. Some groups used dance and choreography to demonstrate the part they conquered. Being shown the spiritual richness of each part helps people to better understand the joyful and holy atmosphere that has been built and that is growing more and more. The Shrine is beautiful, and everything is new, both inside and out."Look at the happy faces!"At the end of the presentations, the spiritual atmosphere intensified when the picture of the Blessed Mother was crowned as Queen of the Shrine. The bell from the Shrine, accompanied by the bell from the Original Shrine, sounded in the background during the crowning, and most found it hard to contain the tears. "It was our most beautiful celebration!" a participant exclaimed.

"Look at the happy faces!"

Monsignor Tomé Ferreira da Silva, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo, celebrated Holy Mass along with five other priests. The Shrine was completely filled with people. Because there was no more room, many who arrived for Holy Mass remained at the gate and in the street, but the joy from the Shrine overflowed to them all. All wanted to participate and encounter the Blessed Mother. Despite being barely able to move due to the crowds, the atmosphere was one of holiness, concentration, and faith. Monsignor Tomé spoke of his joy of being in the Shrine (this was his first visit), and he exhorted the people to continue to take the Blessed Mother from house to house so that She could take everyone to Jesus. During the offertory procession, along with the gifts of bread and wine, each group took the symbols of the parts of the Shrine that they had achieved to the altar. And during communion, the heart Shrine became a living tabernacle.

Then, a surprise…

After communion, Monsignor Tomé blessed the small Shrine anew, and his spontaneous prayer revealed the affection he holds for this holy place. He also blessed the flags of the Schoenstatt Movement that will be sent to the Diocese of San Andrés and San Miguel Paulista. Finally, after a fresh sprinkling of holy water, he blessed the Joseph Engling pyre. He then prayed for everyone who placed their offerings to the Capital of Grace on the pyre and asked that all the signs of love deposited there be blessed. Then, for the first time, the pyre was lit and the first offerings given there were ignited for the sake of the world…This was the end of the Holy Mass and the day of celebration. But the joy continues!

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA / Amy Peebles, Austin, TX, USA