Close to God and close to men

Fortieth priestly anniversary of Father Franz Brügger and Father Ludwig Lipp - Sion Feast 2007

Santa Misa en la Iglesia de la Adoración Holy Mass in the Adoration Church Bei der Festmesse in der Anbetungskirche
Coro de los novicios y estudiantes de los Padres de Schoenstatt Choir of the novices and students of the Schoenstatt Fathers Musikalische Gestaltung: Novizen und Studenten der Schönstatt-Patres (mit Unterstützung von Esperamor)
Los celebrantes en el altar The celebrants at the altar Mit den beiden Jubilaren standen viele Patres am Altar
Información sobre el proyecto „Schoenstatt Summer“ Information about the Project “Schoenstatt Summer” Informationen zum Projekt “Schoenstatt Summer”
Bendición en el Santuario de Sión Blessing at the Sion Shrine Segensfeier am Sionsheiligtum

SCH0ENSTATT, mkf. Once a year the Schoenstatt Fathers invite their friends and relatives, the Schoenstatt Family and people from the surrounding area to Mount Sion where they reside, to celebrate together and to take a look behind the doors that are usually closed. This year, on July 7, the feast of Sion included the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of priestly ordination of both Father Franz Brugger (Provincial of the Schoenstatt Fathers in Germany, England, Austria and India) and Father Ludwig Lipp.

The Adoration Church was so full of relatives and friends of the celebrants, benefactors and friends of the Schoenstatt Fathers and many other representatives of the Schoenstatt Family that one is almost grateful that the newspaper of the region (Rhein-Zeitung) did not publish the news about the celebration at Sion. Many families from England came who wanted to visit Father Brugger on his day because he pioneered the Schoenstatt Movement in England and worked there for many years to build it up. Father Brugger welcomed and expressed his bond with the non German-speaking guests by making some comments in English. The music for the Mass was provided by the novices and students of the Schoenstatt Fathers. Gereon Krahforst, the organist for the Cathedral of Paderborn, highlighted the solemnity of the event with organ accompaniment.

Forty years ago: Priestly Ordination at Mount Schoenstatt

Father Lothar Penners, Director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Germany, pointed out in his homily that this celebration, like every anniversary of priestly ordination is a reason to

remember the importance of such a vocation. On the day of ordination or on the road to it, the question is posed: Are we sufficiently close to Jesus and others? Regardless of how solidly one lives in the Sacrament of Ordination, one becomes aware that suddenly something else happens. What the priest does not accomplish through his own effort, is given to him. In his service, the priest experiences the mutual love between Jesus and his Father and between Jesus and his disciples, as described and promised in Jesus’ farewell words. The priest also experiences that this mutual love between Jesus and his disciples is extended and he experiences how men live profoundly in the soul of the priest and in the souls of others. "so many men throb within you", reads a meditation of Karol Wojtyla about Jesus as the shepherd of souls...,You know them..."

Father Penners recalled that on July 8, 1967, both priestly ordinations took place in the oratory of Mount Schoenstatt. At that time Father Kentenich participated in this event, supposedly for the first time after his own ordination. Both the Bishop and Father Kentenich imposed their hands on the candidates and, it seemed that not only the blessing and the consecration of the official Church, but also some of the grace that had been given to Father, was passed to our co-brothers and with that to our community.

According to Father Penners, Father Kentenich’s talk revolved around "the mystery of Sion." "For him the Marian world of the Shrine always had a dimension and function of Sion", said Father Penners. For Father Kentenich, the mystery of Mary occurs between the old and the new covenants; the road of God’s salvation, this deep line of unity between the human soul and its culture and religiosity converge on it. As Saint Paul says, then we feel that God has blessed us with all kinds of spiritual blessings.

In conclusion Father Penners spoke briefly about the two celebrants. Both had worked with youth and then with the family and each one carried out this work in his own way. However, for both, the meaning of the course ideal was about Father’s creative work. In both of them the two facets of love, the effective and affective could be observed: "Love can do everything, and only love can build". He summarized this by stressing, Father Brugger likes the areas where there is still much to be done. Father Lipp is seen –as the Church – called to protect the dignity of many, which is vulnerable and often wounded. Both are wise in the midst of our task as Church and as the Schoenstatt Movement.

After the solemn Mass, everyone was invited to continue celebrating on Mount Sion. First there was lunch and then, in the afternoon, they could participate in many activities.

"I did not know that there was such a beautiful place up here"

A group of young couples from Vallendar looked with surprise at the surroundings of Mount Sion: "I did not know that there was such a beautiful place up here. And I thought that I knew Schoenstatt!" someone said. After lunch, many more people arrived, they came to Mount Sion from every direction. There was so much to see behind the doors which are usually closed: the wayside shrine, the novitiate (the place of formation for the future Schoenstatt Fathers) or the rooms of the Father House, the headquarters of the international council of the community. At Mount Sion they could learn more about the life of a Schoenstatt Father from postulancy to retirement, as well as to see some pictures of Schoenstatt in India and Nigeria. In this way they learned about the youth work and specific projects, for example, Schoenstatt Summer. But at all times, the guests could simply find a bench and enjoy the landscape ("From Mount Sion there is a better view of the Adoration Church!") They could converse with the Schoenstatt Fathers, deacons or students from India, Nigeria and many other countries, or simply enjoy walking around.

Before ending the celebration with coffee and pastries, the guests gathered once again at the Sion Shrine to pray together and to receive an individual blessing from the many priests.

To listen to the complete solemn Mass and the greeting and welcome

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/Barbara Brennan