"I had absolutely no idea how important the Blessing is."

Mother-/Parent Blessing in Rottenburg Cathedral

Llegaron muchos... Many came... Es kamen viele...
Padres felices Glad parents Das Glück, Eltern zu sein, strahlt direkt aus ihnen!
Una fila larga... Long files... Schlangestehen für den Segen
Mons. Renz con un matrimonio joven Auxiliary Bishop Renz with a young couple Weihbischof Renz nahm sich viel Zeit
El regalo: zapatillos y oración The gift: shoes and prayer Das Geschenk: Babyschuhe und Gebet Fotos: Rottler © 2008

GERMANY, Sr. M. Anika Lämmle. "I had absolutely no idea how important the Blessing is." "This was the first time it was made clear to me that our child is a blessing." During the Mother/Parent Blessing in the Rottenburg Cathedral, with more than 40 pregnant women present along with their partners, the outstanding large attendance of grandparents, and all of the 200 people present follow the invitation from Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Maria Reuz to join in a special gesture of blessing: with the right hand on the shoulder of the next person, they pray the prayer of blessing with him.

For the Initiator’s team from the Schoenstatt Mothers’ League and the Schoenstatt Family League, it has already been decided: Such a blessing service will be offered every year in the Cathedral to women/families who are expecting a child. It is important to them to emphasize the example set with this celebration that is taking place at 35 locations throughout the diocese; a demonstration of the support for life, for the child’s grandeur and his protection from the very start, and it is a contribution that strengthens the family. It is an important demonstration in our times of controversial discussions on married life and family as a proven way of life, an important demonstration in our time that questions the indefeasibility of the dignity of life as protected under the constitution.

I am now like Elizabeth

"That was entirely beautiful." "Everything is so lovely made." "Thank you for this beautiful service, the pleasant words." The faces of those who were blessed radiating almost like the sun of this last Sunday in February is the most beautiful ‘thank you’ the organizers received. That the Mother/Parent blessing is so well received is the best reward for their work.. A "great thing", the Zembrod family of the Schoenstatt Family Work, comments on the celebration. "That young couples get attracted", that they travel up to 150 km to take part in the blessing because it is so important to them, This is what makes it so meaningful for Claudia Roth, Helga Rupp and the other leaders of the Schoenstatt Mothers’ League. It is entirely clear that they will join in the prayer promised to the pregnant mothers on the greeting card attached to the baby booties.

An agitated, pregnant woman stands in the long line of couples that moves very slowly to the front. "I am now like Elizabeth," she explained and accepted Auxiliary Bishop Renz’s words reverently. Based on the promise to Abraham, "You shall be a blessing", he portrayed the Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth: two pregnant women – two "blessed" mothers – meet each other and let go of all fears in the moment, let go of everything that is incriminating to pregnancy. Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the Mother of God, and Mary proclaims her Magnificat: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. "Everyone is allowed to say that," remarks Auxiliary Bishop Renz, "Raise your hands and the Blessing of God will be granted to you." And it will be a true blessing, that is ‘God’s Shalom’, a blessing that the Auxiliary Bishop labeled as a peace, which is "more than a mere truce", which "impacts our life in the depth", the lives of the parents, who "have an allotment to God’s creativity."

It becomes so personal

A young father remarked after coming forward for the blessing that he now has the feeling that he also has something to do with his child, and that the birth also concerns him. "This service was very good for us. We have experienced new blessings." The faces of those who were blessed appear deeply touched and happy. "Something happens there, when the couples stand before the Auxiliary Bishop," observes Ralf Rottler from the Family League, who engages in photographing the event. "The Auxiliary Bishop asks the couples what their names are, and that makes it so personal. That captivates the people."

With "The Good Blessing of the Lord be with you", "May the Blessing of the Lord be with you", and many other condolatory songs, the Childrens- and Youth Choir from Duttenberg, "Sound & Spirit", created a positive and wonderful atmosphere at this year’s Blessing service. The long-lasting acclaim manifests itself as: That fits; it is a true thing.

Translation: Melissa Schmid, Rochester, MN, USA