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Peregrinos de Texas, Estados Unidos, en el “rincón de la despedida”. Acá, el Padre Kentenich despidió a José Engling en su última visita a Schoenstatt Pilgrims from Texas at the “farewell corner”: Here, Father Kentenich bid farewell to Joseph Engling after his last visit to Schoenstatt Pilger aus Texas am “Abschiedspunkt”: hier verabschiedete sich Pater Kentenich von Josef Engling nach dessen letztem Besuch in Schönstatt |
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Santa Misa en el Santuario Original Holy Mass at the Original Shrine Heilige Messe im Urheiligtum |
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Conferencia: Pablo Hannappel Conference: Paul Hannappel Vortrag von Herrn Hannappel |
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Misioneros de la Campańa del Rosario Missionaries of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign Missionare der Pilgernden Gottesmutter |
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Alianza de Amor Covenant of Love Liebesbündnis Fotos: Aleida Montalvo © 2007 |
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SCHOENSTATT, Aleida Montalvo – Thirty pilgrims arrived from Texas, United States to experience the places that are so special to every Schoenstatter. They were accompanied by Sister Corelia, Sister Daniela, Father Jonathan Niehaus (author of the book ‘Heroes of Fire’) and Father Hector Vega.
Everyone felt a great joy and satisfaction when they arrived in Germany after a long trip and because they finally reached their final destination which was this small chapel in the valley known as the Original Shrine, a place where the Schoenstatt Movement began. They prayed there for a while then they continued on with a tour through the old house, where Father Kentenich lived for some years with the Pallottines.
In the footsteps of Joseph Engling
On the second day they had a very special activity that not every pilgrim has, this was spending two hours with Brother Paul Hannapel. He is very well known for his life dedicated to Joseph Engling, no one else knows more about Engling than Mr. Hannappel. He prepared a presentation accompanied with photos with which he explained the life of Joseph and his personal ideal; I want to become all things to all men and Mary’s very own, in a very pleasant and entertaining way.
To learn about this Schoenstatt hero was an excellent way to begin. After experiencing Germany for a few days they departed to Cambrai, France where the only French Schoenstatt Shrine is located. This Shrine is profoundly attached to Joseph Engling because it is around these grounds of the battle field where he was last seen and where he gave his life to the Blessed Mother. But this was not the only place in France where they went; they also had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Liseux where they learned about the life Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus and they enjoyed Paris for two days.
A time of retreat
After their time in France they returned to Oberkirch, Germany which is one of the Schoenstatt centers where Father Kentenich stayed in 1967. There they remained three days taking time for a retreat and res. But first they celebrated Father Hector Vega’s birthday at which time he was presented with a well deserved cake, an authentic "Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest strawberry cake).
After visiting so many places it was time to say farewell and to return home. Back in the United States they can now apply everything they learned while on their trip to their daily life.
"Finally…finally we have arrived at the goal..."
Here are some personal testimonies from some of the pilgrims:
What I take home with me is having shared the "heaven" that they are preparing for all of us who have given our hearts to the Blessed Mother to be transformed. To know that I have a Father and a Mother who take care of me and educate me like good parents. To know the importance of allowing oneself to be educated to please God our Father! Everything speaks of peace, order, discipline, respect, Great confidence in practical faith in Dive Providence.
Anonymous
What I take home from this visit is joy, sensibility, gratitude, confidence, spirituality, love for my wife, children and family. Before arriving at the Shrine, Father Hector Vega waited for me to ask something. Afterwards I commented that I felt happy to be in Schoenstatt and like Father Kentenich said in a talk somewhere in Schoenstatt, that I do not remember, but he began saying, "finally…finally we have arrived at the goal, what we sincerely and ardently desired has become a reality when they were accepted as Marian Sodalists", at this moment Father Vega told me here is the Shrine, at that moment I felt that the Blessed Mother was welcoming me, touching my shoulders. I felt a wonderful sensation as if a slight electric current traveled through my body from the neck to my head and from the neck below, it was something wonderful.
Hugo Tellez Hdz
My most beautiful experience was going to Father Kentenich’s birth house. Listening to the story of his sad beginning- of his family life, it was very touching and painful. He did not feel accepted – not belonging... When I walked up to Father’s tomb and placed my hand on his I felt such release of all the emotional baggage I was carrying. I felt I received an emotional healing. I have never felt so peaceful. I felt I could have flown on wings. It was so wonderful. I felt so close to Father Kentenich, thank you Father for my emotional healing. Please never leave me; I will always give you my hand.
Marion Gilbert, Texas United States
I’m so amazed and in awe of how real and alive the Blessed Mother is! She reigns in my heart and this feeling I’m taking home with me. Just as I came to the Original Shrine for the first time she spoke in my heart the words, "I will take care of everything". I came to Schoenstatt burdened with family problems, I needed a healing. But when I heard Fr. Kentenich’s life story, my problems were not so bad. Never the less at Father’s house I felt him and the Blessed Mother taking all my problems away. I felt so incredibly peaceful and light. I have been having problems with my son and at the moment I put him in Fr. Kentenich’s hands – the burden was gone!
Carole Thomas, Texas, United States