Because you know my name

Monsignor Dr. Reinhard Lettman, Bishop of Munster, and his Auxiliary Bishop, Dr. Josef Voss, presided at the blessing ceremony for mothers and parents in the Saint Paul Cathedral

El „Coro Jóven Heek“ ofreció lo mejor de su repertorio para la liturgia de bendición The “Young Choir Heek” offered its best for the liturgy of blessing Der “Junge Chor Heek” bot das Beste aus seinem Repertoire für die Segensfeier – ein echter Genuss
Una larga fila ... A long line... In der Schlange...
Mons. Josef Voß regaló mucho tiempo a cada madre, a cada padre Auxiliary Bishop Voß gave a lot of time to each mother, each father... Weihbischof Voß nahm sich viel Zeit für jede Mutter, jeden Vater…
Mons. Reinhard Lettmann charlando con los niños de esta familia Bishop Lettmann talking to the little children of this family Bischof Lettmann spricht liebvoll mit den kleinen Kindern dieser Familie
Zapatillos – un regalo de la rama de madres Little shoes – a gift of the Mothers’ League Babyschuhe – ein Geschenk der Schönstattbewegung Frauen und Mütter
Después de la bendición: Mons. Lettmann, Mons. Voß After the blessing: Bishop Lettmann, Auxiliary Bishop Voß Nach dem Segen: Bischof Lettmann, Weihbischof Voß Fotos: POS Fischer © 2008 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

GERMANY mkf. On February 24th the blessing ceremony for parents was held for the third time, this year at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Munster. The Schoenstatt Movement’s Mothers’ Branch of this diocese is the pioneer for this event, since they organized this ceremony in a cathedral for the first time in February 2006. Since then these blessings have also been organized at the Freiburg Cathedral and on February 24th, it was held in the Rottenburg Cathedral for the second time. Although it was not at the Cathedral in December 2007, the Bishop of Trier presided at the blessing for parents. Although the Schoenstatt Mothers’ and Families from these places earnestly prepared many "small" blessing ceremonies in parishes, they have played an important role in making this blessing popular, since they have been held at a place and at the most opportune time for expectant mothers. These ceremonies should be held in the Cathedral as a sign the Church is on the side of life and of the family, and that it supports women and the future. Moreover it also offered the possibility of participating in this liturgy, or as it happened on February 24th in Munster – to arrive coincidentally and experience a Church welcoming them with open arms, especially the children they are expecting.

A few minutes before the 4:00 p.m. starting time, the tension was just as great as the first time, although it was the third blessing for parents held in the Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Munster. Will future mothers come – the organizers asked themselves – in spite of the fact that the media didn’t announce the date? However they arrived: with their spouses or alone, with strollers or with babies in their arms, with their parents, friends, or completely alone, they were radiant or seemed timid, they were resplendent or had tears in their eyes. But they arrived, and the large Cathedral without decorations because of Lent was filled with all the colors of life. No one asked if they were married or not, if the child was planned or not, if they attended church regularly or not.

Everyone can participate and everyone is "unconditionally" invited, Elisabeth Helmich, the Leader of the Diocesan Mothers’ stressed. "In the text that is distributed, there is a contact address; those who want to, can find out who is behind this blessing ceremony, or if someone wants more information, they will know whom to contact. Outside of this there is no notice, publicity, no prospect, nor an invitation to other activities. It is unconditional. And the presentation was concentrated on the reason for the ceremony.

The experience of the simple, profound texts revolving around the reality of God accepting each child who he knows him by name; and above all the individual blessing, makes an impact", commented a lady who had collaborated for the third time. Nothing distracted, everything was directed only to the blessing, to the personal affirmation of God for each mother, each father, for the unborn child: I am here, I am here with you. I am here for you always and at every moment no matter what.

Imploring the kindness of God for us

The Bishop of Munster, Monsignor Dr. Reinhard Lettmann, and his Auxiliary, Monsignor Dr. Josef Voss, gladly gave of their time to be at this blessing ceremony, which was musically accompanied by the organist of the Cathedral, Mr. Thomas Schmitz, and the Heek Youth Choir, which made it very pleasant. At the beginning, Elisabeth Helmich congratulated Bishop Lettmann for a very special event: the 35^th Anniversary of his Episcopal Consecration. The joyful surprise of the bishop was evident. This was a strong point for the mothers! Above all it was noticeable that this blessing ceremony of parents was very important for both bishops, and they showed joy and interest in participating.

Bishop Lettman did not need to use many words in his presentation to "hit the nail on the head" – or better still in the hearts of those present – about the mystery of this ceremony: our life is always on the edge of a larger mystery, and God always knows our names. During the blessing we can implore the kindness of God for us, for the mothers and the families who are expecting a child, and for the children; which the Church welcomes with open arms before they are born. We can also ask the blessing for other people and to be a blessing for them.

There are many friends and relatives of the future mothers here, but there are also many who simply came to offer their support and their prayers for the mothers, the fathers and the children, those who are born as well as the unborn. "The words of the Gospel about Saint John the Baptist spontaneously emerged," said an older man "What will be of this child? What will be for these whose birth is awaited with a wave of blessing?"

Heaven opens

As always, the climax is the individual blessing. For a moment, when both bishops give the blessing it seems as if heaven is opened above each future mother and her child. Forty or more mothers are in line in the main aisle. A young lady with her spouse –he with a baby peacefully asleep in his arms –radiated an uncontainable joy through all their pores. They could hardly keep still. There was a young father who had trouble getting up, and he was supported by crutches as he stood before the bishop who asked him with concern: "Did you have an accident or this something permanent?" It was an accident… "Well hopefully you will be recuperated when the baby is born. I will give you a special blessing for this intention." The young man’s eyes filled with tears.

A young mother in an advanced stage of pregnancy sat quietly at the back during the entire time, finally she got in line to receive the personal blessing; she returned to her seat smiling and at the same time crying. What happened at that moment was between God and her, and that is fine. One lady arrived at the Cathedral after the individual blessings had started. One of the Schoenstatt mothers called to her, and she silently got in line. She received the blessing, and she returned with a smile on her face.

After the blessing, the mothers (parents or brothers) received a pair of booties for the soon to be born babies which were knitted by the Schoenstatt Mothers. Those who wanted to could also take a prayer booklet, The Miracle of Life, which they could pray during their pregnancy.

An older lady was among the people who were happily receiving the booties and she asked if she could take a pair for her son. Of course. In a low voice she said: "Twenty years ago I wanted to abort him. At the last moment I decided against it, but not wholeheartedly. I could not totally accept him. Today I arrived here by coincidence. As of now I can say yes to the decision I made then and I accept my son. I want to take him the booties."

How many encounters with God took place that day? "As I think about this, numbers are not important," says Elisabeth Helmich.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/amj