Do you know the land so warm and dear…?

Covenant Day in Schoenstatt – a global embrace from Shrine to Shrine

La puerta del Santuario Original tiene un picaporte nuevo - la puerta se abre mucho más fácilmente ahora. The door of the Original Shrine has a new door-handle, and opens a lot easier now Die Tür des Urheiligtums hat einen neuen Griff und geht jetzt viel leichter auf
Misa de Alianza: el P. Ludwig Lipp durante la predica Covenant Mass: Fr. Ludwig Lipp during the sermon Pater Ludwig Lipp bei der Predigt in der Bündnismesse
Peregrinas en el Santuario Original Pilgrim MTA’s were blessed in the Original Shrine Bilder der Pilgernden Gottesmutter im Urheiligtum
Renovación de la Alianza de Amor Covenant of Love Erneuerung des Liebesbündnisses
Peregrinos en el Santuario Original Pilgrims in the Original Shrine Pilger im Urheiligtum
Silencio invernal... Winter silence... Winterliche Stille... Fotos © POS Fischer 2008

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. This first Covenant Day of the Year at Schoenstatt was quiet – this is not a time for visitors and pilgrimages. Nevertheless, there was a good representation of the International Schoenstatt family present at the Covenant Mass and in the following procession to the Original Shrine (which has a new door handle since Christmas and opens a lot easier since then...) - Schoenstatt Fathers from all over Germany, from India, Austria, England, Nigeria, and the Czech Republic, who were participating in a week of formation- Schoenstatt Sisters from many countries, girls from Chile for their "Schoenstatt Time," students of the Schoenstatt Fathers from Latin America, youth from USA, and many more. And beyond a physical presence at the Original Shrine, there is this special "mystery" of the 18th of each month, with streams of prayers, love, and longing embracing this little shrine, this place "so warm and dear"…

The thoughts of many of those present at the Original Shrine went to Australia, where the World Youth Day Cross and Icon just visited the Shrine in Mulgoa in an grace-filled anticipation of World Youth Day to take place in nearby Sydney in July. In October 2004, these two symbols had been at the Original Shrine and certainly since that time, they left carrying the MTA’s blessings from this holy place of grace around the world. Prayers were said for peace and justice in Kenya. During the Covenant Mass, the participants once again recommended to our MTA all those who in this Christmas season come to the Original Shrine in Schoenstatt with theirs’ and those of their loved ones’ names written on paper stars; also all those who had sent their stars via the internet, and thus had come spiritually to the Original Shrine – which since Christmas has a new door-handle and opens much easier. The MTA knows all the names and faces, knows all the people who have been brought to her, and her son in their spiritual and physical needs. "May she work miracles and allow us to help her do so," one prayer says.

Take off the roof and let heaven in

Fr. Ludwig Lipp, who since earlier this year works with the pilgrims along with Fr. Franz Widmaier and the Sisters in charge, was the main celebrant. In his sermon, he compared October 18^th to the gospel reading of the day, where men remove the roof of a house to get their sick friend closer to Jesus. On October 18^th Fr. Kentenich and the sodalists figuratively took off the roof from the old St. Michael's chapel in Schoenstatt so that the Blessed Mother could bring her Son closer to humanity, to everyone... This is the mission entrusted to each one in the Covenant of Love, whether they bring the Pilgrim MTA to others, teach, educate, make the difference in their families, or at their work places: all are called to help her help people find a home in Jesus, home in the Father.

After Mass everyone processed to the Original Shrine, where the Covenant of Love was renewed, spiritually uniting all with those around the globe who this day gathered by Shrines, Wayside Shrines, or in their Home Shrines to celebrate the Covenant.

"United with all who have consecrated themselves to you…"

"I am united to the heart of the Father and the Blessed Mother in the Original Shrine in this first 18^th of the year," Ines Petiti writes from an internet café where she was vacationing at the seaside in Argentina. Raquel Antonioli, from La Plata, was among the few visitors to the Shrine on January 18^th: "It’s extremely hot here these days; nevertheless, we went to the Shrine, which is only open from 6:00 to 8:00 PM this month; we greeted our dear Mother and with much love united to all those who have consecrated themselves to her."

"It is always a joy for me to get news from Schoenstatt," wrote Mariela Montero, a young woman from Bolivia. "I always read what I find on the website and feel homesick for the Original Shrine. Just reading these lines is such a joy. I feel transported to the place as if I were there in person, I really feel like that, because I am always united spiritually to the whole family, and especially each 18th of the month."

"We are just coming back from some beautiful hours spent at our beloved Schoenstatt land in Ciudad del Este," Alfredo and Nelly Ramirez share from Paraguay. "What a joy to start the year with the graces from the Shrine. And then, to the pc – to find fresh news from Schoenstatt, which for us is a real piece of the most precious and fruitful wellspring of living water, the Original Shrine! The Schoenstatt website has become the "new door-handle" that opens many doors much easier than ever before... A thousand thanks."

Finding Wayside Shrines

As others keep searching for shells, stones, or postcards on their vacations, some Schoenstatt people have specialized in finding Wayside Shrines! Antonia Goytiño shares: "On January 18^th I was with my family in a nearby mountain city called Sierra de la Ventana; we celebrated the 18^th by visiting the local MTA Wayside Shrine, where we were surprised by the presence of one of the MTA Auxiliaries in this area."

Blanca de Tressens from Corrientes in northwestern Argentina is spending her vacations in Mar del Plata at the seaside some 400 km south of Buenos Aires. "We Argentineans love this place because of the climate, the beauty of the sea, the activities, gastronomy, recreational qualities. For us Schoenstatt members, it is a privileged place of vacation because of the Shrine in the middle of a beautiful park. I did not know the Shrine, but my daughter, Sara, two years ago took part in the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth’s Camp that took place there. Together with other visitors and tourists, we prayed the rosary in the Shrine and walked the park; the brilliant sun lighted it and warmed us up with some 35° C (but in our hometown of Corrientes it was over 40°C). There are several smaller cities at the Mar del Plata seaside; we visited Sta. Clara del Mar, and discovered an MTA Wayside Shrine there; in Miramar, a beautiful MTA picture is enthroned in the main parish, St. Andrew’s. In town, there is a Wayside Shrine in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods. We deeply experienced the presence of the Blessed Mother during our vacation days…"

And… where did you find a Wayside Shrine during vacation?

English edition: amj, USA