A precious and wonderful jewel in the Heartland of the United States

Blessing of the Cor Mariae Schoenstatt Shrine in Crete, Nebraska, USA

Despues de la bendición: jovenes abrazan el Santuario After the blessing: young people form a circle around the Shrine Nach der Einweihung: Jugendliche bilden einen lebendigen Ring ums Heiligtum
P. Gerold Langsch (izq.), Mons. Fabian Bruskewitz Fr. Gerold Langsch (left), Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz P. Gerold Langscg (li,) und Bischof Fabian Bruskewitz
El banquete en la parroquia San Juan en Lincoln, Nebraska The banquet at St. John’s parish, Lincoln, Nebraska Festbankett in der Johannes-Pfarrei in Lincoln, Nebraska
El escenario en la carpa antes de la  Misa y bendición The scene in the large tent prior to the dedication and Holy Mass Blick ins Festzelt vor der Einweihung und heiligen Messe
Hermanas de Maria preparando el altar en el Santuario para la eucharistía Two Schoenstatt Sisters prepare the altar in the shrine for the Liturgy of the Eucharist Marienschwestern richten den Altar im Heiligtum für die Eucharistiefeier
En nuevo Santuario bajo el cielo radiante de Nebraska The new Shrine against the glorious blue sky of Nebraska Das neue Heiligtum unter dem strahlend blauen Himmel Nebraskas Fotos: John Kenkel © 2007 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

USA, Lois Kenkel. "A precious and wonderful jewel" and "a marvelous and splendid treasure": these are phrases used by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, to describe Schoenstatt’s newest Marian Shrine. There are presently 187 shrines world-wide www.santuarios.schoenstatt.de , and eight in the United States.

On November 17, 2007, Schoenstatt’s newest shrine was officially dedicated at the Cor Mariae Schoenstatt Center in Crete, Nebraska. His Excellency the Most Reverend Fabian Bruskewitz , Bishop of Lincoln, celebrated the Mass before approximately 600 joyful worshipers. The program for the Mass was printed in English and in Spanish, uniting in prayer all those in attendance. The Provincial Superior of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, Sister Virginia Riedl, gave a short talk at the banquet on the evening of the Shrine Dedication. Sister remarked that the Church is universal, embracing all nations, and that diversity and universality characterize the Schoenstatt movement.

Papal Blessing for the newest Shrine

Pope Benedict XVI sent his best wishes, and an apostolic blessing as a pledge of peace and joy.

Bishop Bruskewitz received many accolades during the day and evening events. The Bishop of the Lincoln Diocese was thanked profusely for bringing Schoenstatt to the diocese, for the gift of land to the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, and for his unfailing support of the Schoenstatt movement.

After the Mass and dedication ceremonies, all those in attendance mingled, and visited the new shrine, and reveled in the glorious, warm, sunny day. Cake, cookies, and punch were served.

Live their lives as living Shrines

In the evening, there was a celebration banquet at St. John’s Parish in Lincoln. The Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth performed two songs beautifully. Representatives of the Schoenstatt Centers in New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida all offered congratulations to the Schoenstatt Family in the state of Nebraska for the new shrine. Father Gerold Langsch, the Superior of the Schoenstatt Fathers, gave a moving talk. Father stated that it is relatively easy to build a physical shrine, but he challenged those in the Schoenstatt movement to live their lives as shrines to Our Mother Thrice Admirable. Sister Marie Day, the original Schoenstatt Sister in Nebraska, also spoke, and expressed deep gratitude to Bishop Bruskewitz and to the couple who generously funded the building of the shrine.

The Shrine Dedication was a very joyful, momentous, and inspiring occasion.

Schoenstatt in Nebraska: www.schoenstattne.org