Father’s footsteps in Londrina

Father Kentenich visited Londrina during the years of 1947, 1948, and 1949

Memorial de Fritz Kühr, co-fundador de la Obra Familiar Memorial for Fritz Kühr, co-founder of the Family Movement Memorial für Fritz Kühr, Mitgründer des Familienwerkes
Fotos historicas Historical pictures Historische Fotos
La capilla donde el Padre Kentenich celebraba la Santa Misa The chapel where Father Kentenich celebrated Holy Mass Kapelle, in der Pater Kentenich öfters zelebriert hat
Estatua del Padre Father Statue Vaterstatue
Imagen el relieve que ya estaba en las visitas del Padre Kentenich MTA picture that was present at the time of Fr. Kentenich’s visits MTA-Relief aus der Zeit der Besuche Pater Kentenichs Fotos: Cabral © 2008 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

BRAZIL, Javier Cabral. While in the city of Londrina with a group of Schoenstatters from Ciudad del Este, we had the good fortune and the joy of sharing a trip to some of the places where Father Kentenich was during the years of 1947, 1948, and 1949 at the Mother of God School. Sister Mary Inés who was born in southern Brazil in the city of Nova Palma was in charge of explaining each one of the details.

The first place she showed us was the hall where the Founding Father presented the famous retreat on Heroic Childlikeness. Then she led us to the "Historic Hall," where Father Kentenich welcomed the people who visited him. The photos on the walls were the main point of interest; Dr. Fritz Kuhr who was here with Father and at Dachau participated as co-founder of the Family Work. After the war, Dr. Kuhr lived in Rolandia, a city close to Londrina. After his death his remains were brought and buried besides the Shrine.

A Tabor

We also visited the chapel, where Father Kentenich celebrated Holy Mass and presided over the ceremony where the Sisters of Mary receive their dress. There are different objects and clothes exhibited in the display cabinet that the Founder used. At this time Sister Mary Inés invited us to pray to unite ourselves with the Founding Father at this very meaningful place.

In the halls we saw an exhibition of historic photographs of the Founding Father’s visits to Londrina during the era when the Sisters of Mary were beginning their task. Then we went to the garden to the statue of Father Kentenich crafted by a member of the Family Federation in Londrina. Sister Mary Inés said that on April 20, 1948 Father gave a talk at this place facing the Shrine in which he defined the ideal for Brazil: Tabor.

So, if you go to Londrina, the places where the Founding Father was during his travels through South America is a definite place to see.

More information about Father Kentenich’s trips through Latin America: Father Esteban Uriburu, Huellas de un Padre (spanish, Editorial Patris Argentina).

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, USA