Divine Providence has chosen Jacarezinho

Less than 200 days until the Dedication of the Schoenstatt Tabor Shrine in Brazil on October 18^th, 2008

P. Celso Miqueli Fr. Celso Miqueli P. Celso Miqueli
El Santuario naciente The future Shrine Das werdende Heiligtum Fotos: Ir. M. Nilza © 2008

BRAZIL, Sr. M. Nilza. "Divine Providence has chosen Jacarezinho…" With these words, Fr. Celso Miqueli, Rector of the Philosophical Seminar and Church Advisor of the Schoenstatt Movement as well as Advisor for the Schoenstatt Young Men in Jacarezinho, described the joy of constructing and dedicating a Schoenstatt Shrine in his city.

"Divine Providence has chosen Jacarezinho to be a portal of Schoenstatt for Brazil," he explained. "In 1935, the first 12 Sisters of Mary arrived here. And now, 73 years later, we have the joy to see the door of the Shrine open to receive pilgrims from the entire diocese, from throughout Brazil and the entire world on October 18^th."

Schoenstatt’s foundation in Brazil

What does the mission of the Shrine mean? Fr. Celso explained, "The mission is established in the historical and provincial context of October 18^th, 1935. On that day, the 12 Sisters of Mary renewed their Covenant of Love here in Jacarezinho and offered themselves as seeds and living stones for the building of Schoenstatt in Brazil. They offered their lives through the Capital of Grace; they advocated fully for the apostolic work."

The first October 18^th in Brazil

One can imagine how it was in Jacarezinhi on October 18^th, 1935. It was the first October 18^th which the sisters celebrated far away from the Original Shrine. It meant for them that they would never return to the place they left after coming to Brazil as missionaries.

One of them had had the good idea to take a stone from the Original Shrine foundation with them. Based on this stone, they offered themselves as grain from Schoenstatt in the Brazilian soil, in order for Schoenstatt to bloom there… What a precious foundation the new Shrine that would be built there had, where this act took place at that time:

"We would like to live in the same spirit as these pioneers," stated Fr. Celso, and he stressed how important it would be to carry the mission of the Shrine throughout daily life. "We are working on the theme that we are the foundation of the Shrine in Brazil acknowledging the history of our Shrine. This acknowledgment is evident in the number of Shrines in Brazil – currently 21, and the new Shrine marks 22. So far, Mary has always prepared new childlike hearts for Schoenstatt – hearts that she will never leave and where she can reside as Queen working miracles.

From the example of the 12 pioneers, the 12 missionary sisters, we want to live in the spirit of practical faith in Divine Providence, in victorious trust in the MPHCeV (Mater perfectam habebit curam et victoriam = the Mother will fully provide and prevail), and entrust the mission into God’s hands."

Happy the diocese that has a Shrine!

The Shrine in Jacarezinho will be a Diocesan Shrine. The Diocesan Leader explained, "That means that God’s door is open, and the Shrine is the source of blessing for the entire Diocese, for the neighboring Diocese Ourinhos and for pilgrims from all over the world. Happy the diocese that has a Shrine, as it is a sure place for the spiritual formation of the faithful, a place where the pilgrim looks for God – and finds Him.

The Shrine of the Mother and Queen is, as we all know, a place of inner transformation and special graces. Jacarezinho already has other shrines, and with the dedication of the Crowning of the Mother of God from Schoenstatt, Jacarezinho will once more be a Marian, graced and homely Diocese."

The Shrine is almost finished!

Whoever has planned to come to the Dedication can now buy their travel tickets – the Shrine is almost finished! The roof was added in January; in February, the bell tower and bells were assembled. Plus, there is not only the completion of the Shrine – besides from that, a Schoenstatt Training Center should also be developed, "We have priorities in the construction. Next to the Shrine, the buildings necessary for the Pastoral Care of the Shrine and the Dedication should first be constructed, and then so forth. There is still much to do. And we continue on under the watchful eye of the Mother of God with her blessing!"

October 18^th, 2008

"The 18^th of October, Saturday, the Founding Day of Schoenstatt, the birthday of the Shrine… This day is a day that was designated by Divine Providence throughout eternity for the history of Jacarezinho. We are meeting regularly to fully prepare for receiving the guests and for the program. The leaders of the various ministries in Jacarezinho and Ourinhos have carried out their tasks. We work under the watchful eye of the Mother of God and trust that she empowers us along our way to be her tools. We sincerely welcome the pilgrims from Brazil and all over the world," affirmed Fr. Celso.

Translation: Melissa Ann Schmid, USA