A new Schoenstatt beginning in Tanzania

Schoenstatt Conference at the Shrine of Isingiro, Tanzania: ten Pilgrim MTAs were not enough

El Padre Jean Bernard, Padre de Schoenstatt congolés, celebrando la Santa Misa en el Santuario de Isingiro Fr. Jean Bernard, Schoenstatt Father from Congo, celebrating Holy Mass in the Shrine in Isingiro. Pater Jean-Bernard, erster kongolesischer Schoenstattpater zelebriert im Heiligtum in Isingiro die Heilige Messe und spricht über die Bedeutung der Auxiliar-Pilgermutter.
La familia de Schoenstatt de Tanzania recibió con gran alegría a la Auxiliar The Schoenstatt Family of Tanzania recieved the Auxiliary with great joy Die Schönstattfamilie von Tansania empfängt die Auxiliar-Pilgermutter mit viel Freude. Hier im Heiligtum in Isingiro
La delegación de Burundi con la Auxiliar y la familia de Schoenstatt de Isingiro, frente de la casa de retiros The delegation from Burundi with the Auxiliary, and the local Schoenstatt family, at the entrance of the new retreat center Die Delegation von Burundi Pater Jean-Bernard, Schwester M. Virginie, Sr. M. Béatrice, und Bruder David brachten die Auxiliar nach Tanzania und hielten ihnen eine Woche Schulung. Hier vor dem neuen Schulungsheim in Isingiro.
Entrega de imagenes peregrinas para tres parroquias Ten Pilgrim MTA’s were sent out, for three parishes Zehn Bilder der Pilgernden Gottesmutter wurden in drei verschiedenen Pfarreien ausgesandt.
El Sr. Barnabas y su equipo preparan todo muy bien Mr. Barnabas and his team prepared everything very well Herr Barnabas bereitete die Tagung sehr gut mit seinem Komitée vor. Fotos: Sr. Beatrice © 2008

TANZANIA, Sister M. Beatrice Kagimbi. A delegation of four people from Burundi – Schoenstatt Father Jean Bernard, Sisters Mary Virginie and M. Beatrice, and a Pauline religious, Brother David who has collaborated with the Schoenstatt Movement for a long time, were in Isingiro, Tanzania from June 2^nd to the 9^th, to present a conference to the Schoenstatters from this place. During the 1960’s, a Shrine was built in Isingiro through the initiative of the Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, when they had to abandon their task in Tanzania, the destiny of the Shrine was suspended…but meanwhile a committed, young Schoenstatt Movement emerged. The visit of the International Auxiliary of the Rosary Campaign at the beginning of June was a milestone for Schoenstatt in Tanzania.

The group departed from Gijungu on June 2^nd around 2:30 p.m., and they traveled to Muyinga, close to the border of Tanzania. The trip continued on the following morning. They crossed the border and traveled through an extensive, unpopulated steppe. Upon arriving at Isingiro close to 7:00 p.m., they were really tired. However when they saw the happy faces of the Schoenstatters from Tanzania, who had been waiting for them all day, they forgot their weariness and they exchanged very cordial and joyful greetings. That night they held a small procession to the Shrine with the Auxiliary Pilgrim Shrine that had accompanied them throughout the trip. Together they expressed their gratitude to the Blessed Mother at the Shrine.

The conference began on the following day with Holy Mass in the Shrine. Father Jean Bernard (from Congo), gave the first talk: an introduction to Schoenstatt. The afternoon was reserved for group work, where the participants in the conference could comment about what they had heard in the morning talk, and they could ask questions.

Hearts were open to the basic Schoenstatt elements

On the second day Sister M. Beatrice was the presenter. The subjects she presented were about the Shrine, the contributions to the Capital of Grace, and self-education. During the afternoon there was an exchange of opinions about these subjects. Brother David gave a talk on the third day about everyday sanctity, and on Saturday, Sister Virginie explained the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign to the participants. The Auxiliary was always present, which helped everyone to better understand this apostolate with depth. Everyone was very open and enthusiastic about the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign in such a way that the ten Pilgrim MTAs the group had brought from Burundi to offer to those, who wanted to be missionaries to take the Great Missionary wherever She wants to work, were not enough.

The unity, love, and mutual help present among the Schoenstatters in Tanzania is impressive. They did a very good job of organizing and also financing the conference. Those who came from afar, slept in the new Schoenstatt Training Center, and those, who live nearby, returned to their homes at night. But everyone returned for breakfast, so they could eat together.

Everyday after the talks and the group work, they organized visits to the Schoenstatt families in the rural areas. The Schoenstatters from Burundi experienced a cordial, joyful, and devout welcome at these places. They always prayed before conversing, and they asked for a priestly blessing. Then the local Schoenstatters introduced themselves, and they told where they worked and what they did. These were very happy moments with these families from Nyabishenge, Kihanga, Kaisho and Kaluwanzi.

Encouragement to go on pilgrimage to the Shrine

On June 8^th the delegation from Burundi went 90 kms. from Isingiro, to the parish close to Bugomora. On the way they celebrated Holy Mass in the rural area of Kibingo. At this parish there were many Schoenstatters from the different branches: children, youth, families, and mothers. The group from Burundi was very cordially welcomed with dances and songs, and the people expressed the desire to know more about the Schoenstatt Movement. There are many elementary and secondary schools in this area; the youth branches could grow rapidly, but the adults are concerned because they do not have leaders to accompany the youth.

The Schoenstatters from Tanzania have assumed the "Nothing without you, nothing without us" by giving themselves totally to the Movement. We still need solid formation and encouragement to organize pilgrimages to the Shrine, which they have restored with great love. Moreover they still need material and spiritual help to build the Schoenstatt Family. Many of them walked many kilometers on foot everyday, in the morning and at night, to attend the formation conference. This demonstrates their spirit of sacrifice.

May the MTA, herself, assume the task of finding instruments of good will so that the Schoenstatt hearts in Tanzania will continue to burn. Thank you very much for everything, for your prayers, and for all your help on the trip to Tanzania.

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