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| Jovenes de tres países – voluntarios del Schoenstatt Summer 2006 – reunidos en el Santuario de Monterrey, México Youth from three countries – Schoenstatt Summer 2006 volunteers – gathered in the Shrine in Monterrey, Mexico Jugendliche aus drei Ländern – Voluntäre des Schönstatt Summer 2006 – im Heiligtum von Monterrey, Mexiko |
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Olenka y Martín subiendo al Santuario Olenka and Martin walking uphill to the Shrine Olenka und Martin auf dem Weg hinauf zum Heiligtum |
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A la altura del Santuario... View from the Shrine Aussicht vom Heiligtum aus... |
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Oración en el Santuario Praying in the Shrine Gebet im Heiligtum Fotos: Alan Cabello © 2007 |
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MEXICO, Alan Cabello. One year later, five ex-volunteers of Schoenstatt Summer met to recall old times, to analyze the past year and to reflect upon the impact that volunteering at Schoenstatt had on their lives. They celebrated the Night at the Shrine in the Shrine of Monterrey, united with the Schoenstatt youth of the world.
It was incredible for me to see almost all my family of Schoenstatt Summer in only one year, I have seen some them on two occasions, like Olenka, who came to Mexico at the beginning of March of this year. Three countries, five people of very different origins united for a common idea: to maintain the legacy of Schoenstatt Summer, which began in 2006, alive.
A very special day
On September 1st we celebrated Melissa’s birthday and Night at the Shrine. It was a very special day for us and it began very early. We went on pilgrimage to the Shrine of Monterrey where each one said their prayers for their different intentions and some that they carried in the depth of their hearts in silence. Then we carried out part of the program that had been sent to us from Germany and we reflected on it.
Father Lothar Herter and Sister Vernita Weiss, who were our advisors and friends last year, sent us a reflection which we read and meditated upon. Father Lothar spoke to us about "Your face for (y)our faith", the motto for this year and what it meant for us. Sister Vernita recalled the significance of "My home is your home" the motto from the previous year and with which we worked so much. She proposed that we set the goal for all of us to meet once more in Schoenstatt in 2014, probably as part of the Couples Branch and who knows…perhaps even with children!
We concluded our small ceremony with the prayer of Schoenstatt Summer for all those members of the family that we carried in our hearts on this very special day.
You always have the family
After visiting the Shrine, we traveled to some eco tourist sites of Monterrey and we ended the day with a pleasant birthday celebration at Melissa’s home and there was even a piñata! The time we spent together was short and many things were left unsaid, but life follows its course and soon we will meet again. Friendships might end, but the family is for always, we have it and we love it.