Be instruments in the hands of the Blessed Mother

India in the historical fullness of Grace: ordinations, covenants, and celebrations

Presentación de los candidatos Presentation of the candidates Aufrufen der Kandidaten
Imposición de manos Imposition of hands Handauflegung
Alianza de Amor de la Juventud Femenina Covenant of Love of the Girls’ Youth Liebesbündnis der Mädchenjugend
18 de octubre en Bangalore: procesión October 18 in Bangalore: procession 18. Oktober in Bangalore: Prozession
18 de octubre en Bangalore: el Santuario iluminado October 18 in Bangalore: the illuminated Shrine 18. Oktober in Bangalore: das Heiligtum im Licht Fotos: Fr. Johnson Nellissery © 2007

INDIA, Fr. Johnson Nellissery. In the holy month of October, the growing Schoenstatt Family in India witnessed an historical fullness of grace mediated by the special intervention of our Blessed Mother. The Covenant celebrations in Madurai, Bangalore, Aloor, and Kattungachira became occasions of grace for thousands of pilgrims. The ordination of eight Schoenstatt Fathers on October 27, the 95^th anniversary of the pre-founding document, was a moment of special grace.

Eight young men were ordained on October 27^th in Madurai. With immense joy, the Schoenstatt Fathers gave thanks to Blessed Mother for choosing eight Dynamic Instruments for her mission. This was the first time in the history of the Indian Schoenstatt Fathers community that such a large number of deacons received the priestly ordination. The Archbishop of Madurai, Dr. Peter Fernando, conferred the ordination, which was witnessed by more than two thousand faithful consisting of the families, friends, and relatives of the candidates. About a hundred priests concelebrated. Father Andrew Pastore, from England, who is working in India since some months, shares: "A great event for our community this ordination - and it was to take place at our Sion Shrine in Madurai. The day arrived and the weather was looking good - the house was a hive of activity of people arriving - flowers and decorations being freshly done - reunions of old friends - guests from the neighbourhood and from far off countries arriving - there were people practising song and dance - wow - what an atmosphere. The time of the great event drew near - the deacons looking slightly nervous (but ecstatic) before the big event. We all waited patiently on the arrival of the Bishop. Then the time came, the music played and a large procession of 70 priests headed for the alter. A welcome, a song, yes, the big day had come. A beautiful service began with apt readings and song. Then the ordination - the prostration - the promises - the laying on of hands.

God did want to be a part of the ceremony. During the ceremony it began to rain - not a problem - but the rain became heavier and heavier. We were under a tent - but it was designed for sun and not for rain. You could see the folds beginning to bulge.. what next... The Eucharist was continued in the hall with people receiving communion all over the house - it was an ordination of a different kind in many ways - all of them good..."

The first group of girls seals the Covenant

Another important event that took place in the history of Schoenstatt in India was the Covenant of Love for ten young girls on the 13^th of October. The consecration ceremony took place as a part of the October 18^th celebration in the Shrine at Kattungachira in Kerala. This was the first time that a group of girls who work with Fr. Johnson Panthappillil and Sr. Noble took such a courageous step to be part of the Schoenstatt Youth and also to be instruments in the hands of the Blessed Mother.

Through the Shrine, Open Doors! – Covenant Celebration in Bangalore

"Mother Mary, through the Shrine open doors for the Living Word!" - was the guiding light of the Covenant Feast 2007 in Bangalore. The Schoenstatt Family in Bangalore gathered at the festival tent outside the Shrine on October 18^th to celebrate the Covenant and Holy Mass. People from surrounding parishes were invited for the Eucharistic celebration. Around 1,500 worshipers showed up. Soon after the Mass, the procession holding lit candles and praying the rosary set out to the Shrine. Her beloved children carried the Blessed Mother in a special chariot prepared for her.

Covenant Celebration in the Shrine of Origin

The Schoenstatt Family around the Schoenstatt Chapel in Aloor, Kerala celebrated Covenant Day and the feast of the Pilgrim Mother together with the parish church. The first Shrine built on Indian ground attracted approximately 800 pilgrims. The celebration also marked the conclusion of the solemn rosary feast and the sending out of the one hundred and twenty seven images of the Pilgrim Mother.

Website of the Schoenstatt Fathers: www.schoenstatt-fathers.in