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New York Pilgrimage to Schoenstatt, July 4th -10th al 10 de julio
Nachrichten - News - Noticias
 published: 2007-07-31

Even the weeds are beautiful in Schoenstatt.

New York Pilgrimage to Schoenstatt, July 4th -10th al 10 de julio

 

Zehn Jahre alt wird das “Junge Heiligtum” in Asunción, Paraguay, am 21. September

El grupo de New York frente del Santuario Original

The group from New York in front of the Original Shrine

Die Wallfahrt aus New York vor dem Urheiligtum

Foto: POS Fischer © 2007

 

Jugendliche am Eingang zum Heiligtum  

Bodas de plata en el Santuario Original

Silver Wedding Anniversary in the Original Shrine

Silberhochzeit im Urheiligtum

 
Geschenk der Mädchenjugend

Renovación de las promesas matrimoniales

Renewal of the marriage promises

Erneuerung der Eheversprechen

 
Jugendliche am Eingang zum Heiligtum  

Siempre presente: la Auxiliar

Always present: the Auxiliary

Immer dabei: die Auxiliar

 
Geschenk der Mädchenjugend

Aquí estamos...

Here we are...

Damit auch alle wissen, woher wir kommen!

 
Geschenk der Mädchenjugend

¡Cumpleaños feliz!

Happy birthday!

Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!

Fotos: Aleida Montalvo © 2007

Albúm de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

 
   

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. "I’m currently in Schoenstatt, Germany with a group from United States and the experience has been so amazing that words cannot express what I feel. All I have to say is that even the weeds are beautiful in Schoenstatt. Thank you MTA, thank you Father," Zulma said. Zulma Cruz, from Staten Island, New York, could not wait to express her comments at the schoenstatt.de "meeting". She had great enthusiasm after being in Schoenstatt. For three years she and her husband saved money, enabling them to make the trip to celebrate their Silver Anniversary at the Original Shrine. They were a part of large group of pilgrims from New York and other places in the United States.

"My most touching moment was the renewal of my marriage vows in the Original Shrine with my family and friends. I felt that Father Kentenich was also present there and also giving me his blessing. I can’t wait to come back, and I plan to renew my golden jubilee there as well. Thank you to everyone, mostly the MTA and Father", Zulma said as she bid farewell to Schoenstatt, at the end of her one-week stay. Upon learning that the Albrecht’s from Mexico were celebrating their Golden Anniversary also at Sonneau, a celebration for them was organized in the Original Shrine, which was as incredibly happy and pleasant as the Cruz!

The majority of the group from New York and a few participants from places such as Miami, Florida, Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, Silver Springs, Maryland, and Milton, Canada were Spanish speaking. Accompanying them was Father Hector Vega, Sister Irraida, and Sister Candace, and last but not least the Auxiliary MTA of the New York Rosary Campaign, which was present at all the most important moments such as the renewal of marriage vows for the Cruz’ Silver Anniversary.

The group arrived from Rome after visiting the concentration camp in Dachau. The pilgrims crowned their trip with days of reflection and prayer in Schoenstatt, highlighted with Masses and hours of adoration in the Original Shrine following Father Kentenich’s footsteps. "Father Kentenich and the Blessed Mother gave us a great welcome with a rainbow that appeared precisely as we were about to arrive at Schoenstatt," Martha Vazquez (New York) said enthusiastically.

"Schoenstatt is definitely a small paradise. The Original Shrine – the Great Shrine I would say – was my place of rest. I could not believe I was here", said Francisca Alvarez. "And all the other shrines... it was like being in the "Vatican of Schoenstatt" with a Pope, who is the Founding Father with many shrines around him, each one had different symbols. Nature and the flowers uniquely complement the unforgettable memories."

A great role model to follow

"Since this is the first time I have come here, I was very impressed to see Father’s tomb, to see how a good son of rests, mission accomplished," said Ines Borges, who tied her testimony organically to her experience of the visit to the concentration camp in Dachau. "We have to learn to live life like a concentration camp. Sometimes we may be ill or have intense pain, but after seeing the life of Father Kentenich, he is a great role model to follow." Phyllis Schicker said, "When I visited the house where Father Kentenich lived after his exile, I was struck with the reality that this is where he lived and worked. I felt closeness to him, this great man who chose to live in such a humble way. This experience brought tears to my eyes."

For many of the participants, the encounter with Father Kentenich during these days gave them the gift of a more personal relationship with the founder, just as the testimonies show:

Theresa Contardo: "When I made a private visit to Father’s tomb, I placed my hands on his tomb and spoke to him. I felt a warm and understanding presence that filled me. Father was listening and would intercede for me."

Luisa Pérez: "I was very impressed when I encountered Father Kentenich at his tomb, it was as if we were talking to my father about my things, though I never had this opportunity".

Rosario Santos, from Maryland: "I was always very united with the Blessed Mother, but during this visit I discovered a love for Father. It was as if suddenly Father was looking at me and saying to me: "Come here, I am also here, it was something very special and I feel happy to have Father with me. I lost my father when I was 6 years old, and now I feel that I have a new Father. It is too bad that I did not discover this before; my life would have been much easier. Thank you, Father."

Carol Hunn: "When I visited Father Kentenich’s room I saw a man who needed so little and gave so much. His simplicity contrasted to his majestic yes to the Lord and with the Blessed Mother. He is timeless in his love and in his shared writings."

Martha Olivera discovered Father Kentenich as a prophet for this time: "The most important moment was the realization of the bond between Rome and Schoenstatt and the image of our Founding Father as the prophet for this time at the level of the great saints of the Church. He attained a spiritual richness that lasts and does not vanish. The most beautiful things were to bring my son to visit the place of Schoenstatt’s origin, and to express my gratitude for my daughter overcoming her illness. Everything was beautiful even the difficulties."

To learn about the origins of the Movement motivate the desire to belong to it

"In each shrine God gave a different message," Sonia commented. Alejandro, from Miami, Florida: "Surely the messages were also different for each one of the participants on this pilgrimage, which had a special touch because it was bilingual – with Masses, songs, explanations and prayers in English and Spanish. There were moments of confusion because of language, as well as moments of laughter, and of surprising encounters. The "highlight" was upon departure from Schoenstatt when they "forgot" Father Vega in House Sonnenau - only thanks to their punctuality, of course! Fortunately after a few minutes they realized that someone was missing on the bus, and they returned to get him."

"Schoenstatt has been like a special home where all the children are beloved.

What I will take home is to know more about the saints of the Church in order to better understand the person of Father Kentenich. The emphasis on the importance of the family in the present world was very special. At the Shrine of Providence in Metternich I was very impressed the life of Sister Emile. Her loyalty to the Covenant of Love and her efforts to live each day gave me the strength to conquer my difficulties," commented Maria Olivares, from New York. Carmen Candelaria added: "My most profound experience was to know that I am not alone since the Blessed Mother, the Founding Father, and God the Father accompany me. Now I am at peace within myself since I know that I have a family."

Fidelia Aparicio, from Milton, Ontario, Canada, summarized the experience in the place where it all began with a few words: "To learn about the origins of the Movement motivate me to belong to it."

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

 


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