A Living Cornerstone with Thousands of Contributions

Laying of the cornerstone for the first Shrine in Croatia, June 14, 2008

Santa Misa Holy Mass Heilige Messe
Procesión al terreno Procession to the land Prozession zum Gelände
Fundamento del futuro Santuario Foundation of the future Shrine Fundamente des zukünftigen Heiligtums
Fundadores: P. Grill, Hna. Mirjana Kukuljan, Hedwig Weinzierl Founders: Fr. Grill, Sister Mirjana Kukuljan, Hedwig Weinzierl Gründergeneration: P. Grill, Schw. Mirjana Kukuljan, Hedwig Weinzierl
Una piedra fundamental viva A living corner stone Ein lebendiger Grundstein
Procesión Procession Prozession Fotos: Weinzierl/Grill/Molnar © 2008 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

CROATIA, Hedwig M. Weinzierl. For many years, the Schoenstatt Family in Croatia has been preparing to build a Shrine. They soon understood that to do this, you had to follow a basic Schoenstatt rule: "Nothing without You, nothing without us." In Lent of 2002, 2,660 persons sent in cards where they had written down the sacrifices they had offered for the Shrine. At the coronation in 2005, there were more than 2,000 contributions and a vast number followed. All of these cards were burned and the ashes were scattered in the foundation of the Shrine. The cornerstone contains a durable container and within it are the Founding Document and thousands of new contributions. They will be embedded in the wall as a testimony for future generations.

How did Blessed Mother fulfill her part? In October of 2005, immediately before the coronation, shattering like a bomb was the negative response from the parish denying the request for the property in Slavonski Brod where, for years, it had been seen as the site for the Shrine. What did Blessed Mother want to tell us with this? Two months later came the offer – not expected by most – of Mala Subotica in the northeast of Croatia near the border with Slovenia and Hungary. The eastern zone of Croatia (Slovenia), Vojvodina (today Serbia), Dubrovnik and Bosnia, is very far away. Therefore, the leadership of the Croatian Schoenstatt Family decided to build two Shrines with the first one being in Mala Subotica. The entire Family is united in the building of this Shrine. Later on, the second Shrine will be built. It is not troubling that this may take quite some time. Of course, at this time there are no means for even building one Shrine or a house. The "brick campaign" started well and many are making efforts to not only build spiritually "their" symbol in the Shrine, but also making monetary contributions. Blessed Mother will take perfect care. The cornerstone was laid on June 14, 2008. The Schoenstatt Family from Croatia invites everyone throughout the world to participate in the inauguration of the Shrine on August 22, 2009.

A personal greeting from Father Kentenich.

In spite of dark clouds, a large number of happy pilgrims gathered on Saturday, June 14^th. It does not matter if it was 3,000 as was reported on television. Those present were greeted by Stefica Matotek, the local leader; the pastor and the mayor of the place. Among those present were Fr. Rudolf Chrisostomus Grill arriving from Schoenstatt, and many Austrian families. A local choir supported the greetings and good wishes with the known hymn "Dobro nam dosel prijatelj" ("Welcome, friends. Our home is your home"). Hedwig María Weinzierl from the Women’s Federation, gave greetings from Father Kentenich to the Croatian Family. She affirmed this was no joke. How could it be possible? A few days before, a Croatian Jesuit had died. He was a great friend of Schoenstatt who had sealed the Covenant of Love and had written a biography of Father Kentenich. In 1967, he wrote a letter to Father Kentenich from Liebrauenhohe and he received a response via the secretary. Hedwig María Weinzierl read some phrases from this letter. Several times Father Kentenich expressed his greetings and good wishes to the people from Father Antolovic’s country and promised to pray daily for them and to send them his blessing. Surely, he will continue doing this from Heaven.

Lives offered for the Shrine.

Fr. Christoph Horn, spiritual assistant to the Schoenstatt Family from Croatia, expressed his gratitude to the Blessed Mother, to the Triune God, and to many Schoenstatters in Heaven and on earth. Of course he mentioned Bishop Ivan Seso, director of the Movement in Croatia, and Rada Muncan who unexpectedly died on the 19^th and 21^st of last January. Both were buried on the 22^nd as living stones of the Shrine. He also spoke about the history of the Shrine, the guidance of Divine Providence, and the mission of the Schoenstatt Family. It is important that the Family understands that it has not only laid the cornerstone but that it is a fundamental living stone. Also greeted with much joy was Sr. Mirjana Kukuljan, an 88 year old Carmelite who worked a great deal for the Schoenstatt Family in Slavonski Brod, Aquisgran and Zagreb.

In conclusion, Mira Erceg read the detailed document of the Shrine.

Sr. Mariana, a German Schoenstatt Sister of Mary who works with the formation of the women’s branches of the Movement, spoke about the Shrine as the center of the heart of the Schoenstatt Family. The heart is a symbol which includes everyone from all times and from all countries. Is it a coincidence that the land of the first Schoenstatt Shrine is in the shape of a heart? The land can remind us of the meaning of our lives: we come from the love of God and we return to Him in his love. The task of the Blessed Mother is to help us so that we can accomplish it. She concluded with words from the Home Song: "Do you know the land so warm and dear which Eternal Love has built itself…..?" (HEAVENWARDS, American Edition, p. 158). At the conclusion of the event, representatives of the mothers’ branch, girls’ youth, and families branches spoke briefly about their activities.

Sr. M. Ramona contributed to the joy of those present dialoging with Ivan Posita. They gave a cute and entertaining explanation of the life current of the Pilgrim Virgin in Croatia where a ball has the leading role.

Schoenstatt would not be known nor would it have extended in Croatia without the 1,600 images of the Pilgrim Virgin who visit monthly a great number of devotees of the Blessed Mother. The closing included the taped blessing with the voice of our Father and Founder.

Take care of the basics

Adding to the picnic lunch, the local Schoenstatt Family had prepared cookies and drinks. Raindrops turned into a torrential rain at the time for Holy Mass. Bishop Josip Mrzljak presided at the Eucharistic celebration and concelebrating were the Schoenstatt Fathers and Priests who were present. Among them were Fr. Ivan Ravljic from Bosnia and the priests from the surrounding areas of the future Shrine. In his homily, Bishop Mrzljak mentioned an event which was known by most of those present: two weeks ago, during the restoration of a treasured church, the outer walls of the tower crumbled. Not only did the roof cave in, the entire building suffered great damage. Apparently, they had not taken care of the foundation. Only a few of those present knew that Fr. Christoph Horn had been in the church with the Schoenstatt Family the day before the accident. The Bishop also said that the Schoenstatt Family needs to really care for the families who are so threatened by placing the Blessed Mother in full view since She was the first believer. Let us pray that the Shrine always be a place where people can come to renew their faith and thus be able to reach Heaven. Amen.

Soil from the Original Shrine

In a procession which did not seem to end and everyone somewhat drenched, the participants went to the area which is not so close by. They intoned joyful songs and every 20 meters stood a boy or a girl with a lighted torch. Sr. Miriana and the Bishop went by carriage. Two priests rode in a similar carriage. The foundation of the Shrine could be seen on the property. Bishop Mrzljak blessed the people and the construction. Fr. Christoph Horn led the renewal of the Covenant of Love with everyone singing the little consecration prayer in Croatian. Hundreds of voices intoned the hymn of praise "How great Thou Art" in Croatian, of course. At that moment, the cornerstone was placed in the foundation along with contributions to the Treasury of Grace and soil from the Original Shrine. It was sealed immediately. The official ceremony concluded with the singing of the Our Father and the national anthem of Croatia.

The warm gulasch which was prepared by the local Family for everyone hit the spot! There was not enough room for everyone in the tent and there was a small technical problem during the meal: nothing else could be placed on the drenched earth. A large number of those present still had a long trip home and would hardly get there by midnight. But it was worth it: all for the Shrine and for our Queen. Everyone knew that without rain there is no growth. They were certain that the rain had brought along a great blessing.

Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 062708