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Peregrinos de Minnesota, Indiana y Wisconsin, Estados Unidos, en Schoenstatt Pilgrims from Minnesota, Indiana, and Wisconsin, USA, in Schoenstatt Pilger aus Minnesota, Indiana und Wisconsin, USA, in Schönstatt |
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En el Santuario Original At the Original Shrine Am Urheiligtum |
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Verano aleman 2007 German summer 2007 Deutscher Sommer 2007 |
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Momentos de intercambio Moments of sharing Es tut gut, immer wieder sich auszutauschen |
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Monte Schoenstatt Mount Schoenstatt Auf Berg Schönstatt |
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Llevaron sillas de rueda para los peregrinos mayores They brought some wheelchairs for the elderly Für die älteren Pilger waren Rollstühle dabei Fotos: Birgit Mayer © 2007 |
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SCHOENSTATT, Birgit Mayer. On August 28th a pilgrimage from the United States arrived to Europe, and they remained there until September 12th. Their motto was: "On the way to 2014" Thanks to the broad program, the pilgrims went to the most important places of the Schoenstatt history in Germany and Switzerland.
This was the third pilgrimage from the United States that arrived at Schoenstatt. This pilgrimage from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana arrived after the pilgrimage from the southern United States and the one from New York that visited the founding places of Schoenstatt a short while ago. It was organized by Sister Miriam López and in Schoenstatt with the collaboration of Sister Ángela Macari, who works in the International Secretariat of Pilgrims. They were also accompanied by Sister Mary Mónica.
A dream come true
The majority of the pilgrims came to Schoenstatt for the first time, for example, Alice Steffens, from Minnesota, who has been a member of the Schoenstatt family for years. Her three daughters, who had already been in Schoenstatt, wanted her to go. She told them: "I’m so happy to be here, to go to the Original Shrine. It’s a dream come true."
This was also a very special trip for María Libey, a Brazilian who presently lives in Indiana. She learned about the Schoenstatt Movement five years ago and she wanted to seal her Covenant of Love in the Original Shrine on September 8th.
Mary Lou Hubly, from Minnesota, stressed how important this trip was for many of the pilgrims. "Most of us have been in Schoenstatt for many years, we came to be with father and our Blessed Mother and to bring all our dear ones with us!
The Shrines: the same and yet unique
On the first day in Germany, the pilgrims traveled to Schoenstatt to visit the Original Shrine. For the moment they only stayed one day, since they were scheduled to travel to Switzerland, going through Munich and through Marktl, the town where Pope Benedict XVI was born. Before returning to Schoenstatt they visited Dachau, the concentration camp, which left a deep impression on many of them. "The visit to Dachau is deeply impressed in my heart, my mind and my soul.", said María Libey. Father Kentenich was a prisoner there from 1942 until 1945.
On September 6th the pilgrimage returned to Schoenstatt. They went through the valley and then they participated in Holy Mass in the Original Shrine, which was celebrated by Father Randall Kasil, who was accompanied by Deacon Pedersen. Unfortunately the weather did not make a good impression: it was cold and rainy, and some pilgrims caught a cold.
In the afternoon they went by bus to Mount Schoenstat, where they visited the Father Kentenich House, the Adoration Church and the Founder’s Chapel.
Tom Hilpisch, had a very special experience in the Father Chapel, "I shared the Mariengarten experience with five other people in the Founders Chapel. I was representing our group, who were unable to attend, but everyone prayed our special prayer at the same time, they in the USA and I here."
During the following days they went to Gymnich, Cologne and Aachen. At Mount Sion they visited the House of Formation, the Mission House, and the Shrine of the Garden of Mary. They also visited all the Shrines in Schoenstatt. Father Kasil explained: "I loved celebrating Holy Mass in the various shrines. Each one was alike, yet unique."
The Mother takes perfect care. This will be my motto.
After two weeks the pilgrims had many experiences and impressions. Regina Appel says of her stay: "I came with heavy burdens and problems. After a few Masses In the Shrine and with the homilies, I felt at peace and the heavy weight was gone. The feeling of belonging to a large family and the caring, unselfish attitude of everyone was wonderful."
Chris Rockers also learned much on this trip: "How to really pray, be still, and let God go to work. Mother takes perfect care, will be my motto." In each case, the pilgrims left with good memories of Schoenstatt. "The Schoenstatt pilgrimage was a truly great experience". The pilgrimage to Schoenstatt was a truly wonderful experience", one of them said.
And what happened with María Libey’s Covenant of Love? She said it was her most impressive moment at Schoenstatt, it was like being submerged into deep spiritual waters." The last night all the participants gathered once more. The pilgrims wanted to express their gratitude for the successful trip and they presented Sisters Mriam, Mónica, Ángela and Father Kasil with gifts.
In conclusion, Sister Miriam stressed once again that this was one of the most beautiful pilgrimages. For the first time it was calm, above all because the group had gotten along so well and they had helped each other.
The pilgrims went home with memories of a successful pilgrimage.
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA