Childlike Confidence for Our Shrine

Delegates' Convention in Rockport/Lamar, Texas

En la sala del fundador; a la izquierda: Carlos Cantú, traductor fiel de schoenstatt.de In the Founder Room; at the left side, Carlos Cantú, faithful translator for schoenstatt.de Im Gründerzimmer; links Carlos Cantú, seit Jahren im Übersetzerteam von schoenstatt.de
Presentación Presentation Präsentation
Trabajo en grupos Group discussion Arbeit in Kleingruppen Fotos: Sr. Heidi © 2007

After the evening meal, delegates gathered in the Founder Room to entrust the convention and its outcome into the hands of our Father and Founder.

On Friday evening, Father Vega summarized the reports from the various areas in Texas. It was inspiring to hear of the various activities and involvement of the different branches of the Schoenstatt Movement throughout the state. There was evidence of tremendous growth and depth. Also to be applauded is the great work of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. The Grand Visitation of our Blessed Mother to countless homes and families continues with renewed interest and enthusiasm.

Childlike confidence in the life of Joseph Engling

Father Jonathan Niehaus enchanted the delegates with his presentations on the life of Joseph Engling. Father Jonathan highlighted the aspect of childlike confidence in the life of Joseph Engling, especially in his relationship to Father Kentenich, Our Mother Thrice Admirable, and the Original Schoenstatt Shrine. The Texas 2007 Pilgrimage, in addition to visiting Schoenstatt, the Original Shrine and Father Kentenich’s tomb, had a memorable encounter with Joseph Engling in Cambrai, France. Of special interest to all was Engling’s "little work," that is his personal contacts to build and work for the MTA. After the inspiring and enlightening presentations, the delegates were left to ponder how they would apply to their practical life at least one thing which had touched them.

A year of childlike confidence

Following discussions and prayer, the delegates concluded that the motto for the coming year should be CHILDLIKE CONFIDENCE FOR OUR SHRINE! 2007-2008 has been proclaimed by the Texas Schoenstatt Family as a year of childlike confidence. This is in preparation for the Golden Jubilee of the Confidentia Shrine in October of 2009. Our Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary came to Texas in childlike confidence. The founding of Schoenstatt in Texas and all which has been accomplished has been in childlike confidence. When our Confidentia Shrine was dedicated in 1959, our Father and Founder was in exile and our Sisters offered the Confidentia Shrine and themselves as a gift of thanksgiving in advance for his release from exile. The year of celebration for the Golden Jubilee will begin with the dedication of the Cor Unum in Patre Shrine in San Antonio in October of 2008. The new motto challenges the Texas Schoenstatt Family to conquer anew the attitude, grace and mission of childlike confidence….. and in the Texas way….. by giving thanks in advance.

For the new Shrine

On Sunday, the different branches met to discuss and elaborate their branch mottos. The families decided to keep the motto as is for the coming year’s work. The mottos are:
Mothers: Childlike love and confidence – afire for our Shrine
Women’s league: Hand in hand with Father for the Shrine
Families: Childlike confidence for our Shrine

Sunday afternoon’s discussion dealt with the upcoming October Day celebration. Also important was the spiritual preparation throughout the coming year which is being offered for the future San Antonio Shrine and the Golden Jubilee of the Confidentia Shrine. It is: to pray daily the confidence prayer…..I trust your might, and the Providencia Divina prayer…..Father you know the way for me….. Also participating in the convention, in addition to Fathers Vega and Niehaus, were Fr. Christian Christensen, Sr. M. Corelia Bechold, and Sr. M. Daniela Rensing.