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Diez años del Santuario de Valldoreix, Cataluña Tenth anniversary of the Shrine in Valldoreix, Catalonia Zehn Jahre Heiligtum in Valldoreix, Katalonien Foto: Navas © 2007 |
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SPAIN, Patricia Navas. The Shrine of Valldoreix was elegantly decorated last Sunday, November 4th to celebrate its tenth anniversary with a Mass presided by José Ángel Sáiz, Bishop of Terrassa. With a prayer to the Holy Spirit, about 300 people with the Movement at Catalonia who have been involved throughout its thirty-year history celebrated with appetizers, drinks, Catalonian dances, and a children’s theatrical drama based on several parables.
A large number of Schoenstatt Fathers, Sisters of Mary, and lay people from the Movement and from Madrid, Chile, and Germany came for this event and attended the celebration. The Schoenstatt Family in Catalonia was overjoyed and expressed it through their laughter, prayers, and grateful, joyful songs, in addition to animated conversations with former advisers and friends from earlier years.
A New Pentecost
The offertory gifts included: a Capital of Grace, for this occasion, placed in the Shrine’s amphora or narrow jar, with the inscription, "Nothing without you, nothing without us," the registry book containing the Covenants of Love with Mary sealed in Catalonia, a bouquet with different kinds and colors of flowers, and a wooden plaque with the inscription, "Yes, Father, we go with you."
There was good weather for the celebration as the altar and the chairs were placed in front of the Shrine. The large Schoenstatt Centennial flag waved gracefully in the soft breeze.
During the homily, Monsignor Sáiz expressed happiness for having a Schoenstatt Shrine in his diocese, and he stressed the importance of having a personal encounter with Christ in this chapel that aspires to transform itself into a New Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit will again descend over a group of frightened present day apostles gathered around Mary.
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/amj