Always count on us!

The Schoenstatt Movement celebrates 10 years of existence in the country

Sellando la Alianza de Amor Sealing the Covenant of Love Ein einziges Liebesbündnis…
P. Marvin (l), P. Sidney Fones (center), P. Muzquiz Fr. Marvin (l), Fr. Sidney Fones (m..), Fr. Muzquiz P. Marvin (l), P. Sidney Fones, (m.), P. Muzquiz Fotos: Vega © 2006

COSTA RICA. Gonzalo Vega/mkf. On October 28, a total of 88 persons simultaneously sealed their Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother. With this ceremony, the Schoenstatt Family of Costa Rica expressed its gratitude to the Blessed Mother for the 10 years of the existence of the movement in the country.

Participants in the ceremony included Father Sidney Fones, who was in Costa Rica, Father Guillermo Muzquiz, advisor of the family in Costa Rica, and Father Marvin Benavides pastor of the Perpetual Help Church in San José, where the Covenant ceremony was held.

Among the 88 new allies of the Mother Thrice Admirable were couples, pilgrims, women and youth from the Movement, along with many missionaries of the Rosary Campaign. This was a milestone in the history of the Schoenstatt Movement in Costa Rica. Never before had this many people made their covenant in one day.

One of the new allies was Erick Perera, who has been in Schoenstatt, Germany twice on business. Perera was there in June and in October of 2006, and even though he was there for only a couple of hours each time, he was so impressed with Schoenstatt. Later, when he searched for someone who had contact with the Schoenstatt Movement, he discovered it already existed in his country.

"My wife, my oldest daughter and I are very happy to have been chosen by the Blessed Mother to be her servants. On my part I hope to serve her in whatever she asks of me", Perera said a few days after sealing his Covenant of Love.

88 hearts welcome the MTA as Mother and Educator

The Schoenstatt Family of Costa Rica, holding hands with the Blessed Mother and Father Kentenich, joyfully celebrated the blessings of growth and development in the Branches of Couples, Mothers, Girls’ Youth and Boys’ Youth, and in the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign.

Those who made their covenants are considered a gift to the Blessed Mother for the blessings they have received. They are 88 hearts who welcome the Blessed Mother as their Mother and Educator. They, along with their family members, received the presence of the Blessed Mother with profound joy and gratitude, as a gift from heaven.

Today there is a celebration in heaven

What was experienced on October 28 is a milestone in the history of Schoenstatt in Costa Rica is how Father Guillermo Muzquiz expressed it.

Surely there was a "celebration" in heaven, just as it was expressed in the song "Today There is a Celebration in Heaven", composed for this occasion by Tony Gaze, a member of Group 8. He dedicated the song and sang it to the Blessed Mother.

Surprised and amazed by the celebration, Father Sidney Fones repeated several times that he has been in many countries and foundations, and he has never been at a "Covenant Celebration" of this magnitude. Fr. Fones celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his Covenant of Love in Costa Rica.

"A large Family, 10 years of mission…"

The celebration ended with a spectacular trip to the villa of Athens that belongs to Adrián and Aura. At the villa, members of the group put on an outstanding talent show, with each participant playing a very original part.

More than 250 people from all the branches, as well as from the Rosary Campaign, attended the event, and many times tears had to be held back because of the emotions it inspired…"A large Family, 10 years of mission…"

"We are sure about one thing, the Blessed Mother wanted to celebrate these 10 years in a big way, She manifested it with all her splendor, so that no one would doubt of her reign and of her power and that Costa Rica is a favorite. It is her "Promised Land", Father Sydney told them. "Here, there is hope, life and a future…" History repeats itself. Weak instruments are used just as she did with the first sodalists. That is how She glorifies herself. She is the one who works these miracles. This is when one can say, Blessed Mother, it was worth it, always count on us!

Original: Spanish. Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen/TX, USA / Judy Harlowe, Milwaukee/WI, USA