Like the cloud of witnesses that surrounds us...

Encounters around the Original Shrine – in preparation of another 18th

Mons. Peter Wolf, P. Adrian Gonzáles, P. Mauricio Torres Mons. Peter Wolf, Fr. Adrian Gonzáles, Fr. Mauricio Torres Mons. Peter Wolf, Pfr. Adrian Gonzáles, Pfr. Mauricio Torres Foto: POS Fischer © 2008
Josefina Veloso, en la capilla de la casa Sonnenau Josefina Veloso, in the Sonnenau House Chapel Josefina Veloso in der Hauskapelle der Sonnenau Foto: Melissa Schmid © 2008
Carolina Rojas, Ximena Martínez, Mónica Aguilar Carolina Rojas, Ximena Martínez, Mónica Aguilar Carolina Rojas, Ximena Martínez, Mónica Aguilar Foto: POS Fischer © 2008
La Hna. M. Lisann falleció hace un año Sister M. Lisann died a year ago Vor einem Jahr starb Schw. M. Lisann Foto: Sinnhuber © 2008

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. "I loved this article... for so many reasons.  One, it sounded so like what happened to us. Isn't it amazing to think each 18th being united in Covenant with all those who like this group in Paraguay have allied themselves with the Blessed Mother?  It is really mind blowing... when you stop and consider it," comments one of schoenstatt.de’s faithful collaborators. "Like the cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews... that surrounds us... the saints and soon to be saints...Father Kentenich, Joseph Engling, Father Reinish, Sr. Emilia, and so many others!  Known and unknown…" Known and unknown like Mónica Aguilar, Ximena Martínez, P. Mauricio Torres, Josefina Veloso… and so many others who came to Schoenstatt, to the Original Shrine these cold, winter days.

Father Mauricio Torres Marín from Chile arrived in Schoenstatt on February 9^th for the first time in his life. He belongs to the Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests and from time to time sends articles to schoenstatt.de. Now he was here along with Fr. Jorge Falch and Fr. Adrian Gonzáles also from Chile. "Now we are leaving Chile for Germany," he wrote on February 7^th, and the next day an e-mail came from Spain titled: On the way to Schoenstatt: "We are in Spain now, and on the way to Schoenstatt!" How was your first visit to the Original Shrine, Fr. Mauricio? "Awesome…" On February 11^th, he left for Rome, but will return to Schoenstatt before his departure to Chile and be in Schoenstatt for Covenant Day.

For the seven girls from Chile who have participated in "Schoenstatt time" since December 2007, their days in Schoenstatt are coming to an end. And it seems they are very grateful for all they experienced during these weeks of immersion into Schoenstatt.

Sisters for life

Mónica Aguilar Suzán from Mexico City came to Schoenstatt after surgery she underwent at the Spinal Column Clinic in Wiesbaden. In House Sonnenau, she shared the story of how the Pilgrim MTA brought her close to God and gave her the grace of faith, so that she wanted to be baptized and receive First Holy Communion last year. Together with two Chileans, Carolina Rojas and Ximena Martinez, she sat "around the table" in the Press Office to share testimonies and stories of how the Blessed Mother works.

Then came Josefina Veloso from Santiago, Chile, who made a personal pilgrimage to Schoenstatt. She came searching for answers to questions about who she is. Through the grace of the Original Shrine, she found her mission to spread God’s love utilizing her given talents. She discovered that Schoenstatt is the source she draws from and aims to live by.

All four young Spanish-speaking women instantly become friends after meeting each other at dinner in House Sonnenau. Monica, Carolina, Ximena, and Josefina are now sisters for life and ready to support each other in their missions. They have been gathering every night in the House Chapel to share and worship the Lord in Adoration, and all testify that Mother Mary led them to one another.

In the morning of February 15, at 7:00 AM, like each 15^th of the month, Schoenstatt members living here, together with several of the visitors and pilgrims, gathered in the Adoration Church to celebrate Holy Mass in the intention of Father Kentenich’s canonization. During the prayer of the faithful, petitions that have reached the Fr. Kentenich secretariat during the last weeks were said.

Share Schoenstatt's untold stories

With February 22 approaching, many remember Sister M. Lisann who died one year ago on this day. Fr. Ludwig Güthlein will be the main celebrant of the Anniversary Mass in the Pilgrims’ Church on February 24, at 10.30 AM. All are invited to join, physically or spiritually. Several Schoenstatt Fathers and priests already said that they would celebrate a Holy Mass in gratitude for Sr. Lisann’s life and service that same day.

Some teenage boys from Argentina made a short stop-over in Schoenstatt during a trip through Europe… just for meeting, greeting, and a good night in House Sonnenau! "With my school, I was in House Sonnenau from February 11 through 14", Andrea Hecker wrote in the forum of schoenstatt.de; it was great. My friend Christina and I got to know two nice young men from Argentina, Francisco and Agustín. Too bad we will probably never meet them again, as we did not exchange adresses. But who knows, maybe they read this message here, sometime."

With all of them, and so many others, known and unknown, with told and untold stories of challenges, adventures, encounters, growth, decisions, joys and graces in the Covenant of Love. All those who come on the18^th will be united physically or spiritually in the Shrines and wayside shrines among them Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, who just this day assumed the role of President of the German Bishops’ Conference. Real and mind-blowing, if you think about it.

Edition: amj, Melissa Schmid