Easter Season in Rome

Schoenstatt life in Rome and Italy, ecclesial events and those of Movements

Un hito en la historia de Schoenstatt en Italia: los Documentos de la Fundación en italiano A milestone in the history of Schoenstatt in Italy: the Founding Documents in Italian Ein Meilenstein in der Geschichte Schönstatts in Italien: die Gründungsurkunden in Italienisch
Visita del Papa a la Comunidad Sant’Egidio Pope benedict visiting the community of Sant’Egidio Papst Benedikt besucht die Gemeinschaft Sant’Egidio
Andrea Riccardi, el fundador, con el Santo Padre Andrea Riccardi, the founder, with the Holy Father Andrea Riccardi, der Gründer, mit dem Heiligen Vater Fotos: www.santegidio.org © 2008

ROME, Father Guillermo Mario Cassone. On April 15^th Benedict XVI departed for the United States; he will celebrate his birthday (on April 16^th) as well as the anniversary of his election as pope in that country. The departure of the Holy Father from Rome – an incision of the Easter season in Rome – is also a reason for a summary of events during this season around the Schoenstatt Shrines and the life of the church.

Some vital signs that demonstrated the work of the Queen of Schoenstatt in Rome and Italy are the retreat of Holy Week in the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine, the preparation of couples for the Covenant of Love, and initiatives among the youth. Furthermore, there is a new Schoenstatt publication in Italian which marks a milestone: for the first time, a little book, the Founding Documents of Schoenstatt are available in Italian published by the Sisters of Mary, translated by Roberto Cuccaro and Cecilia Hoeltschi of the Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt (the booklet can be obtained at: schoenstattrome@tiscali.it)

On the eve of Palm Sunday, which this year was also the Feast of Saint Joseph, almost 50 people gathered to prepare for Holy Week and to live it in the spiritual school of our Father and Founder. There were two reflections, confessions, Adoration, Stations of the Cross and a closing Mass. There was good participation, an atmosphere of prayer, a beautiful place and the care and accompaniment of the Sisters.

I presented the talks and the homily and Father Rafael, a Brazilian, who has lived in Rome for years and who belongs to the Federation of Diocesan Priests accompanied us by hearing confessions and sharing with us for most of the day.

A group of young couples, accompanied by Father Ludovico and Sister Asunción, have been preparing for some time to go on pilgrimage at the end of the month to the Original Shrine along with their children to seal their Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother. They are enthusiastic and this will be an important milestone in the founding of the Family Branch in Rome.

The youth have regular meetings as well as the Youth Mass and encounters afterwards in the Parish (of the Patron Saints). At this time they are preparing a Journey for boys between the ages of 15 -17 that will be held at the Shrine of Belmonte. It is called Calcio d’inizio; it is an impressive Journey of introduction to Schoenstatt. The Journey will be Friday, May 16^th to Sunday, May18th and they are asking that we accompany them with prayers.

Third Anniversary of the death of John Paul II

On a beautiful, sunny and serene day, several Schoenstatters participated in the Eucharist celebrated by the Pope, on April 2^nd, in memory of John Paul II. The homily recalled the gifts that God gave us through the holy life of John Paul II (it is worthwhile to read it on Zenit). There true affection and profound admiration for this Pope, who deserves the title the Great, by those who knew him love him more and more. His process of beatification is advancing; the widespread devotion for him is impressive. His tomb is the most visited; every day from time the doors of St. Peters are opened there are long lines of people of every type and background

Family, life and mercy

There were three important encounters where these themes were dominant. The Council of the family dedicated this year to the value of grandparents in family life, with testimonies of how this is experienced in the different cultures and people, which was very interesting. The John Paul II Institute of the family: this time they discussed how to heal the hurt caused by divorce and abortion in people and the families, through understanding and healing through love and attachments. The first Congress of Divine Mercy, had a great international participation showing this stream of life in the Church at the present time. At each on of these encounters the participants spoke with and had audiences with Benedict XVI that motivated and clarified the concrete pastoral work.

Celebration of the parting of Chiara Lubich

This holy Tuesday was truly an anticipation of Easter through the serene, emotional and jubilant atmosphere that more than 20,000 people experienced in the Basilica of Saint Peter’s, during the funeral presided by Cardinal Bertone – emissary of the Pope –who incorporated the papal message in the homily, which totally lauded the charisma of Chiara and what she gave to the Church and to humanity. It was a great joy that several representatives of Schoenstatt participated, led by Father Heinrich Walter as President of the General Presidency.

It was impressive to see so many youth who were touched; there was enthusiastic singing, several instances of long applause which made one tremble. There were testimonies from Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans, also from Muslims, Jews and Buddhists, and there was great presence of civil authorities beginning with the Prime Minster, and Andrea Ricaardi, founder of Sant’Egido spoke on behalf of the Movements. He stressed how Chiara had given impulse to the unity of all charismas. At that moment I recalled when the two of them and some representatives of Schoenstatt met in 1999 at the Original Shrine and at the tomb of the Father and Founder and they offered the Blessed Mother the desire of uniting the ecclesial Movements.

Fortieth Anniversary of San’Egidio

Within this celebration there were two strong moments: one was on the eve of the anniversary of John Paul II where his secretary, the current Cardinal Estanislao Dziwisz and Caridnal Ruini, Vicar of Rome, the people who cared for him, Andrea Ricaari, and Father Oder, as postulator of his beatification gave testimony about him. It was a touching vigil, in which very human traits of the deceased Pope where shown. Just one detail: every night, before retiring, he would approach the window to look at Rome and to bless it. The other event was the Pope’s visit to the Church of San Bartholomew;

where the memory of the martyrs of the XX Century is maintained. It was also a strong support of the Pope to this Movement that is expanding and with which we have very good relations.

• Sant’Egidio: http://www.santegidio.org

Schedule of the Shrine at Belmonte

Because of construction on the grounds, the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine is open every day from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Rosary is prayed daily at 5:00 p.m.

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