"I want to build a house for you my Lord!’’

The Schoenstatt Family of Monterrey unites to gather for the capital of grace and raise funds for the house that now belongs to the Movement

Protagonistas jovenes Young children in charge... Die Kleinsten haben die Hauptrolle
Caras felices: Juventud Femenina Radiant  faces: the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth Strahlende Gesichter bei der Mädchenjugend
Una lamina gigante del Santuario en la casa A huge picture of the Shrine in the House Ein großes Bild des Heiligtums im Haus
Mayo de 2007:vinculación con el Santuario May 2007: Connecting with the Shrine Mai 2007: Verbindung von Haus und Heiligtum
La madera fue puesta en la entrada de la casa afuera para que todos los de la familia firmaran sus agradecimientos a la Mater The wooden board was placed at the entrance of the house so that all could write a thank you note to the MTA Das Holzbrett wurde vor dem Eingang aufgestellt, wo alle einen Dank an die Gottesmutter aufschreiben konnten Fotos: Aleida Montalvo/Schoenstatt Monterrey © 2007 Album de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

MEXICO, Aleida Montalvo- Since almost a year ago the Schoenstatt Family was asked to leave the house they had been renting for years, they decided to do something about it by searching for a new house that would belong to them to avoid a similar situation.

Fr Estéfano Daneri and Fr.Marcel, Schoenstatt Fathers from Chile working in Mexico, took it upon themselves to find a new home for the Schoenstatt Family so they could have their own space to keep growing. In November 2006 another Marian movement that wanted the property to pass to someone who would continue to use it for the same spiritual objective was selling a house; this was taken as an option. There was already a chapel, and the rooms were separated in such a way that they could function well for the Family. However, there was only one problem. Where would they get the money? The Family immediately gave their ‘yes’ to the MTA and began gathering the sum. For some time, the house was shared with the Sisters from the Motolinia Institute, a Catholic school in Monterrey. The school would use it in the morning and Schoenstatt in the afternoons.

That was only the beginning

Half of the money was to be paid by December 2006 so the Family was invited to visit the house and devise a plan to collect the money. The Family acted in an amazing way. From all the different branches, the Family quickly started raffles, parties, selling MTA tiles, lotteries, asking for donations on the streets, selling used clothing, and furniture among other things. Thanks to the cooperation of many generous people the first goal had been accomplished! But this was only the mid point; they still had to pay the other half. The money raising activities continued, and the little apostles, allies, youth, single women, mothers, and couples took the task of offering that house to our Lady. During every activity the Family would sing the song, I Want to Build a House for You My Lord, in Spanish Quiero construirte una casa Señor, to remind the Family why they were there in the first place and where their effort was leading.

After a few months, in July, the final goal was achieved and the house would now belong only to Schoenstatt! Not only was the money raised, but they also offered one million prayers to the capital of grace from the whole Family of Mother and Queen, we trust in you, glorify yourself and conquer, in Spanish, Madre y Reina, confiamos en tí, glorifícate y vence. On July 19, the official papers of the house were signed, and on the 23rd the keys were given to the Schoenstatt Fathers. The house was all theirs and they started furnishing it with furniture for the Family.

Attachment to the Shrine

In preparation for placing the picture of the Blessed Mother in the chapel,

they had made a bond with the Shrine in May. In a car caravan, the Family went on pilgrimage from the house to the tip of the mountain – approximately an hour and a half– to the Shrine, Mary, Road to Heaven. We should mention that the Monterrey Shrine is located on the ridge of a mountain; it takes about thirty-five minutes by car to arrive at the mountain and about twenty minutes, or a little longer depending on one’s physical condition, on foot. On the way they noticed that other people were doing the same thing; they encountered the pioneer children of the Boys’ Youth, who had started on the same road at dawn, but they were walking! It took them five hours! The Picture of the Blessed Mother was always in the forefront as it was taken on high.

Mission accomplished

The official inauguration of the Monterrey Schoenstatt Movement House took place on September 18th, Covenant Day. The celebration began with Mass at the Shrine and then from there, all the Schoenstatters went to their new house, a trip of about an hour. The house had never been so full. Members of all the Branches were present to welcome the Blessed Mother when she was placed on her throne on the wall of the chapel. A wooden column was placed at the entrance of the house so that people could write something personal to their MTA. It will remain there as a remembrance.

It was a wonderful time for the whole Family. Now they have this place where a strong feeling of belonging is experienced. All the effort was worthwhile and now they feel like a large Family guided by the love of Mary.

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