I never thought God would give me the gift of sealing the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother in the Original Shrine

Pilgrimage: Southern Chile to Schoenstatt

Alianza de Amor, 6 de mayo Covenant of Love, May 6 Liebesbündnis am Abend des 6. Mai
Coro Choir Mit Gitarrenklängen ins Liebesbündnis
Felicitaciones Congratulations Glückwünsche von allen
Encuentro con Norbert y Renate Martin, jefes de la Federación de Familias Encounter with Norbert and Renate Martin, leaders of the Federation of Families Begegnung mit Renate und Dr. Norbert Martin, Leiter des Familienbundes
Ivonne Monsalve y Mario Ramirez: apostolado con los enfermos Ivonne Monsalve and Mario Ramirez: apostolate with the sick ones Ivonne Monsalve und Mario Ramirez: Krankenapostolat Fotos: POS Fischer © 2007

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. "I have never experienced such peace and spiritual tranquility; all the affection and kindness of this place is unique", said Gustavo Hein, 77 years old. He came from Puerto Montt in Southern Chile along with forty-six pilgrims accompanied by Father Horacio López and Sister Maria Laura, like the majority of the pilgrims; it was their first time to visit Schoenstatt.

As a result of the pilgrimage, "there was a profound change in religiosity" for Sonia Hein from Temuco. She was one of the people who had the privilege of sealing her Covenant of Love in the Original Shrine on the night of May 6^th. "I never thought that God would give me the gift of sealing the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother in the Original Shrine: it was a very touching moment which I will never forget, and much less the commitment which I made; it is very meaningful to me. Furthermore, Father Horacio’s talks have re-enkindled my soul." " The experience that had the most impact on me was sealing the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother in the Original Shrine", said Patricia Bertolott, who along with her husband, Miguel Ellena sealed their Covenant of Love on May 6^th. It was truly a significant moment when couples, mothers, missionaries, and pilgrims sealed their Covenant of Love in a celebration accompanied by songs, guitars, and much joy. "My most profound experience was sealing my Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother here, in the Original Shrine, at Schoenstatt. It is a place where peace and love reign, where egoism is expelled from the heart, where Christ dominates and triumphs, and leads us to the Eternal Father."

After the celebration, which ended with many embraces and tears of joy, the couple, Norbert and Renate Martin invited the members of the Family Federation for a brief visit to the Father Kentenich Farm, the headquarters of their community.

"I felt that I was within the heart of our Father and Founder"

The visit to Father Kentenich’s tomb and the place of encounter with the Founder, which is Father Kentenich’s House, his apartment on Mount Schoenstatt, and his birthplace in Gymnich were important moments for the pilgrims. "Father Joseph’s tomb impacted me the most, it was like an encounter with him and to receive his blessing", said Gustavo Hein. "I am a loyal follower of Father since ten years ago, before joining the Movement. He heard my prayers many times and I have sent my testimonies; that is why I will follow his footsteps and I will always be loyal to his mission, loving God, his Son and our beloved Blessed Mother." "I leave in awe and saturated with the love of God", commented Lidia Cardenas A., from Puerto Montt. She is 75 years old and is happy that she was able to walk on the same paths that Father walked. "I feel that I am within the heart of our Father and Founder," said Lea Gutiérrez of

Temuco. "I felt the impact of feeling as if the Father and Founder waited for me to come to see him."

To know Schoenstatt from within

"I have experienced Schoenstatt with much happiness and gratitude. I am convinced that it is something wonderful that has to be made known", commented Bernardita Remoret Ríos, one of the few people from Santiago, Chile who took part in this pilgrimage. The large number of Schoenstatt Shrines impressed others, and many of the pilgrims were happy with House Sonnenau. "It is so beautiful, so welcoming, and the people who serve us are so kind!" were comments that were often heard.

Sergio R. from Temuco was surprised at the "intensity of the activities that take place around the Original Shrine." The reason was they arrived on the pilgrimage day of the Diocese of Osnarbruck, which was very large. "I think that we were able to know Schoenstatt not only geographically, rather we were deepened in its history and above all in its depth, its spirituality. I met Father, Mary, Sister Emilie in a less intellectual way and more as a life experience", commented Enrique Henning from Valdivia.

A mission to accomplish

"I never thought I would know about the lives of the people who made Father Joseph’s mission a reality and who were always so loyal, so intimate", commented one of the participants. One of these people was Sister Emilie. The visit to Metternich, the site of her tomb, impressed many. "Sister Emilie and the visit to the Marian Garden were highlights for me", said Beatriz Ortiz from Temuco.

For Ivonne Monsalvo from Temuco, the trip had moments of sacrifice because of a knee problem caused her much pain while walking. One day, she had to see a doctor and could not be with the group. However, she was able to fulfill the mission that she brought to Schoenstatt: to find out if there was a branch for the sick and handicapped in Schoenstatt, and if there was, she wanted to know how it worked. Being deaf, for years she had taken ill and handicapped people to the Shrine, where they prayed, sang, and most importantly, where they offered their pain and their illness to the Capital of Grace. "It gives meaning to so much pain", says Ivonne. She (along with several other ladies) picks up those needing a ride, in her car, and takes them to the Shrine for a few hours. "They are poor, some are blind, there are people who can hardly move but they receive so many graces in the Shrine". She happily returned home from Schoenstatt with her husband, Mario Ramirez, and with magazines of the Branch for the Sick and Handicapped in Germany, in addition to a copy of a conference that Father Kentenich presented to the Branch of the Sick in Switzerland, glad to continue her mission in Chile.

Mónica Airole M. asked herself what the highlight of the pilgrimage was for her. The response: "Everything: how beautiful everything was, how green, the gardens, the house, the order, the cleanliness, the daily Holy Mass, the group. I felt that I was in heaven…I felt that I am now leaving my true home, it was a heavenly experience."

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