Can stones speak?

There will be other pilgrimages, with spiritual exercises, to Milwaukee

Un encuentro personal A personal encounter Eine urpersönliche Begegnung
Todavía hay testigos... There are still witnesses Noch gibt es Zeitzeugen
El Santuario del Exilio, un lugar de gracias The Exile Shrine, a place of grace Das Exilheiligtum, ein Gnadenort
Uno de los primeros Santuarios Hogares One of the first Home Shrines Eines der ersten Hausheiligtümer
P. Rainer Birkenmaier: retiro, peregrinación, encuentro Fr. Rainer Birkenmaier: retreat, pilgrimage, encounter Rektor Dr. Rainer Birkenmaier: Exerzitien, Pilgern, Begegnung Fotos: Wieland © 2008

GERMANY/UNITED STATES. Dr Rainer Birkenmaier. It is known that stones do not speak. No one has ever made them talk. However, the opposite is also true: anyone who has visited a historic place at some time has experienced it. Upon hearing an explanation presented by a competent person, the stones begin to speak. A couple of big unpolished stones, on the ground, are transformed into a Roman imperial highway upon which the steps of soldiers or the noise of the heavy carriages resounded. A large vault makes the power of an emperor known. A mural splashed with blood in the concentration camp, speaks of the reign of terror and the testimony of great personalities. The stones have their own language and it is impossible to take it away. Above all they say: what happened, what we have read and what we have heard is true.

The stones of Milwaukee, a city in the northeast United States of North America, tell about a German priest who had a white beard. Milwaukee is the city where he was, without interruption, from 1952 to 1965. It was a very difficult time for him and for the Schoenstatt Family since he, as well as his Work, were tested. They were the "hidden years" and his message has recently come to light. Father Kentenich did not "fulfill" this time at Milwaukee only as being in prison; rather, he continued working for his mission. Even though, it could be said, that his hands were tied, he opened new dimensions of interior development for his Family..

For this reason, for many years there have been pilgrimages to Milwaukee as a way of carrying out spiritual exercises that is some way make the stones speak. The participants will experience a "new" Father Kentenich. They will find a new personal access to him. For one part, the two weeks are a pilgrimage with many interesting visits, but they include –an essential phase – there are also elements of spiritual exercises that impede things from being superficial. Father, Dr. Rainer Birkenmaier from Oberkirch and Sister M. Carol Winkler, from Milwaukee will direct these exercises and they will be in charge of accompanying the participants. The program includes meetings with many witnesses of that era.

During this year of 2008 there will be two of these pilgrimages from Germany to Milwaukee

• The first pilgrimage will be March 15^th-29^th, 2008 entitled: "Victoria Patris: during the encounter with Father Kentenich learn to live like Easter persons" This pilgrimage will have a special accent because if falls during Holy Week and Easter. Jesus, through his death and resurrection opened the way to the Father. In the school of Father Kentenich we can learn what this means in our life.
• The second pilgrimage will be August 14^th to 27^th, 2008 and it will especially focus on the "Home Shrine". The origin of the Home Shrine is a development of the Covenant of Love that in totally hidden and humble circumstances came to light in Milwaukee from the heart of the Founder.

They will also hear testimonies from that era that will make the stones speak. It is the best time to discover the message of Milwaukee and to have an encounter with Father in Milwaukee.

• For more information: JRWieland@t-online.de

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA