Attach Everything to the Shrine

18^th at the Original Shrine –Schoenstatt Summer is underway

Santuario Original con el „emblema“ del Verano de Schoenstatt: el Santuario de vidrio Original Shrine with the “trade mark” of the Schoenstatt Summer: the glass shrine Urheiligtum mit dem “Markenzeichen” des Schönstatt Summer: dem Heiligtum aus Glas
Coro de Jovenes en la Misa de Alianza Choir of the “Schoenstatt Summer” during the Covenant Mass Voluntäre des Schoenstatt Summer gestalteten die Bündnismesse mit
Durante la Misa During Mass Während der Messe
A la espera de los peregrinos Waiting for the pilgrims In Erwartung der Pilger
Fuego Fire Am Feuer Fotos: POS Fischer © 2007 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. Once again, united to all the Shrines, Wayside Shrines, and Home Shrines throughout the world we celebrate this explosion of grace, which on October 18^th, 1914 transformed a small, abandoned chapel in the midst of an unknown valley of Germany into a place of Grace. Father Alex Menningen from the founding generation of Schoenstatt and loyal companion of Father Kentenich once said something that surprised a group of Schoenstatters during the 1950’s. In speaking about the responsibility of taking Schoenstatt into the future, he said: the most important thing is the Shrine. Among the different branches and groups of the Schoenstatt Movement as well as in the spiritual, there are centrifugal forces, which would disintegrate everything if both of the former were not attached and concentrated in the Shrine. Every month on the 18th the moment when all the Movement renews its attachment to the Shrine and through the Covenant of Love, all the parts come together, as Father Kentenich said, "With the MTA and with the family." amj

A Covenant of Love as family is what is strongly experienced today through prayer for Peru in many Schoenstatt Shrines throughout the world. Each 18^th it is time to look back and express gratitude for everything that was experienced around the Original Shrine during the last weeks: the pilgrimages from Mexico, Texas, United States, Puerto Rico…journeys, retreats, the celebration of August 15^th, the camp for boys and girls, individual visits, such as the one of Victoria Anselmo and her friend Cecilia, from Argentina, who is currently studying in Germany. Victoria had promised to visit the tomb of Sister Emilie, who was of help to her mother during a serious illness. "We are very grateful. We have had a wonderful time; Schoenstatt is truly a beautiful place full of peace. Saturday we went to Metternich and we were able to fulfill our promise to visit Sister Emilie. We leave very happy!"

August –Youth month

For the third consecutive year the month of August has been Youth month at Schoenstatt. Schoenstatt Summer offers an opportunity to attract youth from Germany as well as many other countries to experience a time of grace in Schoenstatt. On August 18th, during the Covenant Mass, a choir of youth – accompanied by some Sisters of Mary and seminarians of the Fathers – gave the celebration an international touch with songs in Hungarian, Polish, English and Spanish. All the music was tranquil and meditative. "The 18^th in Schoenstatt has more of a character of retreat and of tranquility," explained a Latin American youth to some of the German participants who were visiting Schoenstatt and were expecting a large, lively celebration. "In our country the 18^th is a celebration!"

In his homily, Father Ludwig Guthlein, National Advisor of the Girls’ Youth, invited everyone to remember the moment of their first personal encounter with the MTA, the moment of their Covenant of Love, and to renew ourselves in the love of that first encounter. In the same way he invited everyone to offer to the Capital of Grace all the unforgettable encounters we have had on their Covenant road with other allies of the MTA and with Father: the friends that we have made in Schoenstatt, and to express gratitude for all the friends, brothers, and sisters who have the graces of the Covenant of Love, to pray at this moment for those whom we love the most, for those that we miss the most, those to whom we want to ask forgiveness, and those whom we want the MTA to fill with graces…since we need her so much TODAY.

After the Mass, we processed to the Original Shrine, where – united to all of you- we renewed the Covenant of Love.

Schoenstatt Summer will end on September 1^st with Night at the Shrine. Throughout

the month of August, the youth who live for a time in Schoenstatt, like the volunteers or as part of the exchange program of the Sisters of Mary, as well as those who come for a few days from Germany or other European countries have a program with Masses, workshops about Schoenstatt subjects, forums, and much more.

The Father Current

On August 20^th, the Schoenstatt Family also joined with brothers and sisters from Argentina and Uruguay who on this August 20^th celebrated the 60^th Anniversary of the Covenant with the Father which was also in the context of the 60^th Anniversary of Father’s first visit to their country. The Covenant was the beginning of the Father current that reached all the Schoenstatt Family throughout the world with all kinds of consequences… And it was the specific mission of the Founding Father, Graciela Horga from Uruguay writes: "I am from Uruguay, a daughter of the first Daughter Shrine, of Nueva Helvecia. I studied in the School of the Mother Thrice Admirable, and I met our Father and Founder when he visited our school on one of his trips. As a Uruguayan, I will experience the 60^th Anniversary of the first filial Covenant, which will be celebrated on August 20^th with much emotion and with a great joy. It was in my country and in my beloved school where the Sisters sealed this Covenant with our Father. This daughter of the Founding Father sends a very affectionate greeting to all the Institute of the Sisters of Mary.

Another anniversary of the Journey of Hoerde will also be celebrated on August 20^th; this journey decisively marked the history of the Movement. During World War I a military congregation emerged within the ranks of the army; it was also known as an external organization. After the war, during this Journey of Hoerde, it was decided to continue with a Schoenstatt that had moved forward beyond the walls of the school at Schoenstatt. From there, it went out to the entire world and to everyone who felt called to be an apostle of the MTA.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, USA /amj