Blessed Mother, whoever sees me, sees you

Second International Congress of the Schoenstatt Mothers’ Federation

Delegación de Estados Unidos, Texas Delegation from the USA, Texas Delegation aus den USA, Texas
Delegación de Chile Delegation from Chile Delegation aus Chile
Delegación de Alemnia, con la Hna Regina como traductora Delegation from Germany, with Sr. Regina als translator Delegation aus Deutschland mit Schw. Regina als Übersetzerin
Delegación de Brasil Delegation from Brazil Delegation aus Brasilien
Delegación de Portugal Delegation from Portugal Delegation aus Portugal
Delegación de Argentina y Paraguay Delegation from Argentina and Paraguay Delegation aus Argentinien und Paraguay
Delegación de España Delegation from Spain Delegation aus Spanien Fotos: Podestá  ©2007

ARGENTINA, M. Inés de Podestá. Close to the Father Shrine in Florencio Varela, the 2nd International Congress of Mothers’ Federation was held in Argentina from Tuesday, September 25th thru Sunday, September 30th. Representatives from the Federations of Germany, Chile, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Texas USA, and Argentina-Paraguay participated. Thirty-four people attended; among them were six Sisters of Mary who are advisors, and Father Javier Arteaga, the Advisor for the Federations from Argentina and Paraguay.

The German Mothers gave each delegation white candles that had been lit in the Original Shrine for one week in preparation for the Congress with the motto based on the words of Saint Paul which appeared in the symbol of the first Schoenstatt Federation: Caritas Christi, urget nos! or The love of Christ urges us!

The objectives were to exchange experiences, establish ties, share ideals, find points in common that unite us, seek the will of God, reflect on what our Founding Father is asking of us, and what the present time expects of us. Once more the scepter was presented to the Blessed Mother crowning her at this very important event.

Each delegation gave a PowerPoint presentation showing the history of their development from the founding to the present time: including the number of Courses and each course's stage of development.

Father’s Footsteps

Father Kentenich was very much present. Sister Ursula told us about the development of the Movement in Uruguay and Argentina, the effort it took to build the Shrines, the accompaniment of Father, spiritually as well as materially, and the blessing of the New Schoenstatt Shrine on January 20, 1952, when he was on his way to exile in Milwaukee.

There was a reflection on the symbolism in the tableau of God the Father Church that expresses artistically the old and the new biblical Covenant and the Schoenstatt Covenant of Love. The delegates also visited the place of encounter with Father that’s in the basement of the church, where the basic stages of Father Kentenich’s life can be relived through a light and sound presentation of documented photos, texts, and souvenirs. Such an example would be a page from the May 31st Document that he corrected, and the chalice that he presented to Holy Father Paul VI in December of 1965.

The Congress’ participants also went on pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Virgin of Luján, the Zion, Confidentia, and Belgrano Schoenstatt Shrines to experience where the Founding Father lived during his stay in Buenos Aires in 1950 and 1951. Sister Cristvera presented a brief talk about Father’s travels through South America.

Mutual enrichment

There was also time for entertainment; they organized a beautiful bonfire with tango, a typical dance from Paraguay, with encouragement from the delegations from Chile and Brazil.

Contribution to the present age: life, dignity, family

Three topics were developed; each one was presented in a talk and with serious and intensive group work:

1) The pedagogical road: From candidacy to perpetual consecration. Objectives by stages, subjects, bibliography.

2)Life style of a Federation Mother: To be integral a federative, with harmony between the supernatural and the natural and to strive with a high degree of cultivation of the spirit.

3) Structure of the Federation: Documents and studies about the international organization of the Federation.

These subjects were thoroughly discussed. The delegations spoke sincerely, clearly, and openly about their reality.

As to life style, they resolved to use the motto: Blessed Mother, whoever sees me, sees you.

To accomplish this they want to:

• Cultivate a sacramental life and one of prayer
• Create a favorable atmosphere
• Cultivate the spirit to a high degree

Before such shared richness, they looked toward the future by asking themselves:

What will our contribution be for the present time, in the midst of where we live?

What should we stress?

The response was centered on the following points:

• To defend life from conception until natural death
• To respect the dignity of woman and the dignity of man, too:
• Save families.

Not to complain; rather, to take this situation of change and crisis as a great challenge and as an opportunity

In the closing homily of the Congress, Father Javier Arteaga, referred to the times of radical change in which we live as profound and giddy, especially as it refers to the understanding the woman’s order of being and of the family:

The Holy Spirit abundantly sent its gifts. Everyone could communicate in spite of the different languages; there was respect, attentive listening, and openness, a warm and familial atmosphere. They left enriched and willing to continue to collaborate with the Work of the Father, to be loyal to the mens fundatoris.

The last resolution for unity was for each country to pray for another one and that each Federation Mother would pray:

Let us walk like you through life,
Let us mirror you forever,
Strong and noble, meek and mild,
Peace and love be our endeavor.
Walk in us through our world; make it ready for the Lord. (Heavenwards, p. 171)

Original: Spanish

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