"It has touched me extraordinarily. I got goose bumps!"

Blessing of parents in Heek, Diocese of Munster

Bendición individual para la mama embarazada, su esposo, los hermanitos Indivdual blessing for the pregnant mother, her husband, the siblings Persönlicher Segen für die werdende Mutter, ihren Ehemann, die Geschwister
Una fila larga para recibir la bendición Long lines to receive the blessing Eine lange  Schlange bildete sich
Oración Prayer Gebet am Taufbrunnen
Recuerdos To remember this moment... Zur Erinnerung an diesen Augenblick...
Algo inolvidable para muchos An unforgettable experience for many Für viele ein unvergessliches Erlebnis Fotos: Helmich © 2006

GERMANY, Elisabeth Helmich. Sunday, September the 24^th at 11:30 a.m. after Holy Mass. It is the fourth time that the Mothers’ Branch of the Schoenstatt Movement has invited the parents from the Parish of Saint Ludgerus for a blessing And once again there were speculations: how many young parents will participate? They expected between 14 to 18 mothers or couples, based on past experience. But at the beginning it seemed that there was no reason for optimism: there were only two or three couples I at the Holy Mass. At 11:25 five young mothers appeared with their families. A few minutes later there was a great surprise: a large number of young people arrived, some were a little timid and somewhat insecure, others were very resolute and full of expectations. And at the end there were 30 young mothers who came, the majority accompanied by their family.

Music for meditation created a tranquil atmosphere within the large group that gathered around the baptismal fount. After a brief para-liturgy, with an address and the prayer of blessing, the future mothers and their spouses were invited by the pastor to approach the altar. They all wanted to receive a special blessing and they stood on the steps. They received the blessing, individually or as a family. The pastor placed his hands on each one and said a short prayer of blessing..

At the end a young, Schoenstatt Mother gave all the families the prayer that would accompany them: she invited them to take the little book "The miracle of Life" and a pair of knitted socks (booties) for the baby. The socks were knitted by the Schoenstatt Mothers, so that their children will always follow, the faith, the right road", said a young mother.

And if it is a boy?

"And if it is a boy?" asked one of the boys, around five years old, when he saw that his little sister had chosen a pair of red socks for their new sibling. "He will have red socks", the mother said. "Boys do not wear red! Then we can buy another pair", the child consoled himself.

After the blessing, one of the parents said: "We are here for the second time, and I must say that it has touched me extraordinarily, I got goose bumps!"

For the Schoenstatt Mothers it is always a new gift to see these young couples so happy and grateful. This experience confirms their decision to continue organizing the blessing for mothers and parents.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA