Life Enkindles Life

The First Schoenstatt Family Group from Italy goes on an excursion to Madrid

P.Ludovico con i Bambini al Prado El Padre Ludovico con los chicos Father Ludovico with the children Pater Ludovico mit den Kindern
Gruppo a Serrano con Barbara e Rosa El grupo en Serrano, con Barbara y Rosa The group in Serrano, with Barbara and Rosa In Serrano, mit Barbara und Rosa
Lola & Jorge a Pozuelo Em el Santuário de Pozuelo At the Shrine in Pozuelo Beim Heiligtum in Pozuelo Fotos: Andréa Donadio © 2007

Italy, Andrea Donadio/mkf. On Sunday, May 13^th, during the monthly meeting of the first Family Group in Italy only one subject was discussed: the trip that they had made recently to Madrid, Spain. There they met with the Family Groups of Madrid, first in the Shrine of Serrano, and then in the Shrine of Pozuelo. Seven families accompanied by Father Ludovic made the trip. It was a beautiful and an educational experience for the Italian group.

Their gratitude is extended to Barbara Aymerich, Rosa and her family, Lola, Jorge, and their three children for the splendid organization and welcome; they are also grateful to Father Eduardo and the Sisters of Pozuelo.

Why Madrid? And what did they bring to Italy from this trip?

Andrea Donadio: Why Madrid? Father Ludovico proposed Madrid so that we could learn about the reality of a Latin country such as ours and so that we could understand where we stand in reference to them, who began the Family Work about 35 years ago.

Francesca Forte: I was very impressed by the organization and the structure of Schoenstatt in Madrid and by their living testimonies of faith. I understood that the Covenant of Love with Mary is the next natural step on the road we have taken.

Sara Stabile: I was impressed by a comment from Barbara from the Mothers’ Branch in Madrid. She said she was envious of us, who are "the Founders" of the Families in Rome and of Italy, for her it would have been an honor and a fantastic experience that as Founders we will receive a special grace.

Alberto Belloni: Last year in Schoenstatt, we were able to perceive the spirituality of the Movement, while on this trip to Madrid, we have understood the structure and in this way we quickly established a strong communion with enlightened, joyful, and generous people who are there for us; giving a testimony of their faith and of their growth in the movement.

I understood that each one of us must have a personal road (or direction) for the family and in the couple, within the group we should mature and be ready to offer our experience to others.

Benedicta Schwering: We are the first Italian group and we should manifest ourselves

by maintaining our own identity and our Italian culture. Being in Rome makes our work more arduous and more difficult. We must ask ourselves one question: What can I offer to the group as an individual?

In respect to couples, in October we will carry out a three-day encounter, "Strengthening Matrimony", in which the couples should re-discover each other and choose each other anew like at the moment of their marriage.

Stefania Rao: Since I learned about Schoenstatt, I have not asked myself too many questions. I allowed myself to be taken by the hand by Father Ludovico, and I have given my heart to the Blessed Mother with serenity and willingness.

Antonella Ciancetta: The living testimony of the Movement in Madrid has shown us a model of an Schoenstatt Family through the family of Lola and Jorge along with their three children, which we aspire to emulate.

Andrea Stabile: The Schoenstatt model is a free choice that makes one grow and in a moment it will take you in totally.

Davide Follin: It is good for me and my family to belong to the Movement.

Reia Menichella: I try to take the peace, harmony, and the serenity that Schoenstatt transmits to my family, and I hope that other families can perceive this I know and then they will be attracted to the Movement.

Andrea Donadio: I hope, like Antonella, that my family will become a model like those in Madrid, and even though I did not feel any difference with the trip to Schoenstatt last year, I also immediately felt "at home" and "as family" in Madrid.

Meeting every night for Mass in the Shrine of Serrano was one more reason to express gratitude to Our Blessed Mother for the beautiful and intense journey that we experienced together.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA /amj~