Where I felt like a disciple of a Prophet

Pilgrimage from Chile to Schoenstatt

P. Juan Pablo Rovegna, prédica en la Iglesia de la Adoración Fr. Juan Pablo Rovengna, sermon in the adoration church P. Juan Pablo Rovegna, Predigt in der Anbetungskirche
Presentación del recuerdo Presentation of the souvenir Wie an jedem heiligen Ort, gab es ein kleines Andenken
Alianza de Amor en el Santuario Original Covenant of Love in the Original Shrine Liebesbündnis im Urheiligtum
Entrega de las medallas Presentation of the medals Überreichung der Medaillen
Recuerdo Souvenir Andenken
Cristina y Guillermo Tagle Cristina and Guillermo Tagle Cristina und Guillermo Tagle Fotos: POS Fischer © 2008 Álbum de fotos - photo album - Fotoalbum

SCHOENSTATT, MKF. "What has touched my heart the most has been to belong to such a heterogeneous group united in the same love for Father Kentenich and our Blessed Mother," says Nancy Monaides Saguas, from Antofasgasta, Chile. Cristina Quiroz de Tagle confirmed it, along with her husband Guillermo are among the oldest pilgrims, not only in age, but also in Schoenstatt experience: they belong to the founding generation of Schoenstatt in Chile. It was a very heterogeneous group, with people from almost all over the country who experienced being more of a pilgrim family during each day of the weeks of travel. From Bellavista they went on pilgrimage to Milwaukee, Father Kentenich’s place of exile, then on to Dachau, Quarten (Switzerland), Gymnich, and Schoenstatt.

"Three places impressed us: Milwaukee, Dachau, and Schoenstatt. Each one of them with an important aspect of Father Kentenich’s life," commented Fernando Aciste and Rosa Sepúlveda. The motto for this pilgrimage was: Missionary disciples truly following the footsteps of the Father, which has deeply impressed them. This is perceived in the comments, in the faces, in the gestures, and in the time that they spent in prayer. On Saturday afternoon a Chilean, with a semblance of nostalgia, walked from the Original Shrine, which was already closed, to House Marineau, where the group was staying. "It is my last walk through this holy land," she said. "I lost my photos, from Milwaukee, from Switzerland, from Dachau, I lost all of them when I was recording the CD without realizing that the photos had not been saved. I cried a lot. But I have photos in my heart which cannot be erased, and that is what matters." "What was your experience in Schoenstatt?" Wilma Brumo Torres was asked. The reply was simple, "Here I felt like a disciple of a Prophet."

A beautiful detail of this pilgrimage was during each Holy Mass, in each special place, they distributed a souvenir. For example, a little green card with photos of Father’s statue at a Mass celebrated in the Adoration Church, or a beautiful little box with a rosary during a Mass in the Original Shrine.

On Saturday morning June14th, the Original Shrine was festively decorated for Holy Mass and the Chileans’ Covenant of Love. Several ladies sealed their Covenants of Love, one of them sealed her Membership Consecration during a Mass filled with gratitude, joy and of commitment; they had prepared for it with a few hours of retreat. "Stop taking photos, stop talking, stop buying, and take time to rest and meditate on all you have experienced in your favorite place here in Schoenstatt," Father Juan Pablo Rovegno advised them, along with Sister Alejandra who accompanied the pilgrimage. "After this beautiful pilgrimage, I have decided to seal the Covenant of Love with Mary," says Maria Teresa Saravia, "I want to be a faithful, docile instrument for whatever she needs of me. I will try to respond to the experiences I have lived in my home community, so that they may prepare me to experience a great happening like this one, as well as the other places where I have been."

An experience that becomes a mission

"I take with me a more profound understanding of Father Kentenich’s life," says M. Alicia Reyes H. from Rancagua. "I feel attached to him now, I want everyone to know him. My faith in Divine Providence has increased and I want others to experience it." Iris Varas had a similar experience, "I take with me a heart filled with the love of God, of the Blessed Mother, and of our Founding Father," she says and she adds that she is taking home "the certainty that my mission is whatever the Father wants, just as he has pointed it out. I will try to accomplish it." When Nancy Monaides Saguas returns to Antofagasta, she explains what she wants to do, "I want to take some of the gifts that Father Kentenich radiated in the Sisters: patience, tolerance, joy and much love for God and the Blessed Mother."

Schoenstatt was born here

This is already the second time that Fernando Aciste and Rosa Sepúlveda have been in Schoenstatt, but: "We always need more time to do everything that we wanted."

"You inhale peace in Schoenstatt, the spirit is calm. The Blessed Mother and the Founding Father are at our side," said Alicia Reyes. "To visit the Original Shrine again, for the transcendence of the history of the Movement," was what impressed Wilma BrumoTorres the most, since: "Schoenstatt was born here, and where our Father and Founder contributed, so that this place would be a place of grace through the Covenant of Love sealed with Mary in the Chapel of Saint Michael. For me it was wonderful to be here and to feel very close to our Father. He was probably very happy about the visit of our group!"

Schoenstatt is sounds, images, and feelings. "I felt Father Kentenich on the path; the wind, the pines, the water…it is a homeland," says Iris Varas. "I experienced it as holy land, it is beautiful, it is like being in paradise!" commented Aurora Isai, from Iquique, in northern Chile. "To see how Father Kentenich was capable (and he continues to be) of giving so much love, and converting the pain that he experienced in his life, fills me with hope and the desire to work for a better world."

M. Angélica Catalán expressed the experience of the group with few words: "It is a renewal of the commitment with Schoenstatt."

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