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Juntos los jóvenes celebran la vigilia en el Santuario Original Togehter, some Latin American youth celebrated a vigil in the Original Shrine Gemeinsam gestalten lateinamerikanische Jugendliche eine Vigil im Urheiligtum |
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Renovación de la Alianza de Amor en el Santuario Original. Covenant Renewal in the Original Shrine Erneuerung des Liebesbündnisses im Urheiligtum. |
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Jóvenes cantando frente del Santuario Original. Youth singing in front of the Original Shrine Die Jugendlichen singen vor dem Urheiligtum. Fotos: Escobar © 2007 |
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SCHOENSTATT, Daniela Escobar/ Teresa Wieland. Thursday, December 28th. Night is falling, the Original Shrine is illuminated and you can hear a foreign language. Ten youth from different Latin American countries are gathered in the Shrine. They are taking advantage of their stay in Schoenstatt to have a Christmas meditation. Being there is a way of bonding among themselves, with their families in their respective countries, with the Blessed Mother and with God; it is also a way of bonding with all the youth of the world.
How is an idea born among people who barely know each other? The answer is simple: It is that they share the same mission, the same ideals; therefore, they do not need so much time for reflection. There is no hesitation. The ideas are already alive in them, now all they need to do is simply carry them out.
At the beginning they did not know if it would be possible. "Can you sing in the Original Shrine?" was the question from one of the youth. It may not be appropriate and perhaps someone may object. But the desire to gather and to honor the Mother Thrice Admirable, as we do in our countries, was greater.
It is such a special place
Within 24 hours they decided to hold a short vigil and several of the youth offered to prepare it. The Original Shrine is a place of adoration; a place that impresses and touches many that come for the first time. "I can’t believe that I am here," commented a girl who was very touched.
They felt much reverence for the Shrine and they were concerned about protocol. They did not know what was allowed and what was not allowed. What they did know is that they needed to express themselves ways they were accustomed to and the Shrine needed them with their young hearts. What could they do?
The youth – light of the world
Recalling Christmas, they heard the story of the little shepherd who wanted to take a gift to Jesus. Because it was dark, the little shepherd could not find anything; until it occurred to him that he should light a candle if he wanted to look for something. In truth he did not know what to do, until an older shepherd explained that the best gift that he could take to the Christ Child was simply the lighted candle because it would illuminate everything around it. Clearly, this story has a message for the youth. It is an invitation for them to personify this light. They can take their talents and their skills back to their countries, and help other youth discover how beautiful it is to offer their strength and their work at the service of Mary. During this vigil, in this place that is so special, they left their desires, their joys, and their petitions: "It was a night of joy, of happiness and of peace: Christmas with a time for personal silence, for prayer and praise to God in our own language. And the shrine is full of life, with our life, because here we return to our home."
Recalling Schoenstatt Summer
For us in Germany, this Christmas night was a little like reliving what took place during past Schoenstatt Summers. Youth from all the continents volunteered to organize the Night of the Shrines, a miniature of the Youth Festival of 2005. The idea of Schoenstatt Summer is alive and this year these activities will take place once again. The youth of the world are invited to experience Schoenstatt together with other youth, and the date for the next Night of the Shrines is set: It will be from August 31st to September 1st. It is a night in which the youth of the International Schoenstatt Family make a concerted effort to gather at the same hours, at designated Schoenstatt Shrines, located all over the world. Last year about 70 shrines connected spiritually and we warmly invite everyone to participate again.
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX / Christi Jentz, Milwaukee, USA