I am happy that the Pope is demanding an open and spontaneous evangelization

Pope Benedict spoke to the youth above all through the liturgy and his personal words

A la espera del Santo Padre Waiting for the Holy Father In Erwartung des Heiligen Vaters
El Papa Benedicto habló a los jóvenes ante todo a través de la liturgia y de sus palabras personales The Pope impressed the young people with the liturgy and his personal, authentic words Der Papst sprach die Jugendlichen vor allem an durch die Liturgia und seine persönlichen Worte
Estuvieron cuatro jovenes de Schoenstatt con el Papa en la catedral Four members of the Schoenstatt Youth could participated in the celebration in the Cathedral Vier Jugendliche konnten bei der Vesper im Dom dabei sein
Semillas sembradas en corazones abiertos … Seeds of faith sown in open hearts… Saatkörner in offene Herzen ausgestreut…
...cambiarán el mundo ...will change the world …verändern die Welt. Fotos: Zimmerer © 2006

GERMANY, Georg Zimmerer. When the Pope arrived in Germany, his native land, he also captivated the Schoenstatt Youth. Around 250 youth from the Boys’ Youth and the Girls’ Youth participated in Munich in the solemn Holy Mass celebrated by the Holy Father. Many of them also accompanied the following stations of his visit to his former Episcopal See, sharing their enthusiasm with him. It was not simply a diversion or just a spectacle that attracted and impressed the majority of the youth; rather, according to them it was the personal words of the Holy, the beautiful liturgy and the atmosphere of piety during the Eucharistic celebration.

About one hundred youth from different dioceses – above all from southern Germany – congregated on Saturday in the Schoenstatt Center of Munich, where the local Schoenstatt youth had set up a tent inviting everyone to spend a friendly vigil. "The people from Munich have received us very cordially to "Little Schoenstatt" – which is typical of authentic Bavarians – and the atmosphere as well as the community was very beautiful", said Thesia Schmeinck, who arrived from Wurmlingen, in the Black Forest, along with her family.

Many of them were already at the Marienplatz of Munich that afternoon, at the precise moment that thousands of people received the Pope with shouts of "Benedict, Benedict" while he went to the column of Mary to say a prayer.

"One of the most grandiose and magnificent Eucharist that I have ever experienced"

After a short night, Sunday arrived, with the climatic moment in Munich: the solemn Holy Mass in the exposition center. "It was one of the most grandiose and magnificent Eucharist that I have ever experienced", Bernhard Maas, from Freiburg said. This was also attributed to the conditions that could not have been better: along with the most beautiful musical accompaniment and an imposing construction of the altar, it was a perfect day with a radiant blue sky and perfect organization. The organization was much better than during World Youth Day in Cologne.

Francisc Tschuschke, from the Diocese of Bamberg, stressed that the Holy Mass was not simply the act of being present or something interesting to experience: "I did not have the impression that it was a spectacle, rather, I felt submerged in a liturgical event". And she added: "It seemed wonderful to me that at the end of the Holy Mass we prayed the Angelus. We had a Pilgrim MTA with us and we were happy to be able to pray with Her and to Her.

To speak about God and of the faith

The thing that impacted the most was also the "tranquil homily" of Pope Benedict – said Ilona (age13) from Bamberg – in which he stressed the strength that Catholic Church has in Germany, at the same time he also made reference to its weaknesses and its potential. "He has marked the way for us, where we need to grow, how we should position ourselves in society. I was very happy that he is demanding an open and spontaneous evangelization. A field in which our Movement also confronts a challenge and is trained to do more", Commented Bernhard Maas.

During the Vespers that were prayed in the Cathedral of Our Lady, in Munich, only those who were especially invited could participate, among them there were four representatives of the Girls’ Youth and the Boys’ Youth from Munich. They were also very enthused with the Holy Father. "The Pope looked very happy; I was impressed above all that he acted in a very natural and authentic manner, and that he lives what he speaks", expressed Theresia Ruzmoser, who was in cathedral. She also paid tribute to how Pope Benedict encouraged the teachers and educators to speak about God and of the faith and to pray in common. "It can be seen, by the way that he said it, that this is something that he truly desires", affirmed Theresia.

Benedict’s contribution, richness for Schoenstatt

Pope Benedict’s visit to Bavaria shows how he, by his words, his humility, and his openness, could touch the hearts and the intellect of the Germans like no one had done until now. The Schoenstatt Youth and all the Movement can use Benedict’s contribution to conquer further afield with more strength and more vitality.

Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA