"I have called you by name…"
Reception of four novices at New Schoenstatt, Argentina
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Vestición de cuatro novicias del Instituto de las Hermanas de María de Schoenstatt, en Nuevo Schoenstatt, Argentina Reception of four novices of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in Nuevo Schoenstatt, Argentina Einkleidung von vier Novizinnen der Schönstätter Marienschwestern in Nuevo Schoenstatt, Argentinien |
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Santa Misa en la Iglesia de Dios Padre Holy Mass in the
Heilige Messe in der Gott-Vater-Kirche |
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Amigos y familiares esperan a las novicias Friends and relatives waiting for the novices Freunde und Angehörige warten... |
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Felices... Glad... Glücklich... |
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Las „novias“ The „brides“ “Brautfoto” |
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Rito Rite Ritus Fotos: Sr. Marianne © 2008 |
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ARGENTINA, Sister Marianne. "Moments like this are the most exultant in the life of the Church," Bishop Adriano Bernardini, Apostolic Nuncio in Argentina, commented on the afternoon of September 20th. This was during the ceremony of the reception of four novices as they entered the Family of the Sisters of Mary.
This Spring the garden in New Schoenstatt has been the most beautiful ever and was dressed up in full bloom for this special occasion. Multicolored, varieties of flowers and dense shrubs filled with white blossoms that looked like snowflakes that are known here as the bride’s crown heightened the celebration with a nuptial air. The ceremony took place in God the Father church, and wound up in the Shrine, where the new Sisters consecrated themselves to the Mother Thrice Admirable. Five other priests also concelebrated with the Bishop.
Christ's transparency
The choir of the Sisters of Mary complemented the intensity of the liturgy. Organ, violin, and guitars accompanied with different songs that enhanced the solemn celebration. In the homily, Bishop Bernardini continued: "The religious life finds its foundation in the consecration to God, this state of property of God, exclusive and complete. The religious state is not a personal matter. From the moment they decided to follow Christ in the narrow way, they became public symbols. This is something permanent; we cannot take vacations and leave the mission. The consecrated person demonstrates another more important reality. It is the principle of transparency; a sign of Christ’s transparency, not with words, but with your life."
Three of the novices are from Córdoba and one from San Isidro in Greater Buenos Aires. They stand out because they come from large families: one has eight brothers, another, ten, and were all present! At the Offertory, the parents of the four brought up the gifts to the altar. And when they retired to change into their habits after having received by the Bishop, the dress, the veil, the medal, the candle, the advisor of the Girls’ Youth, Fr. Jorge González, briefly explained the symbolism of the dress while families and friends eagerly awaited the novices return. Many friends and relatives greeted the novices with great enthusiasm after the ceremony.
Now the names of these four are Sisters, M. Bernardita, M. Clara, M. Guadalupe, and María. Continuing the celebration, the Schoenstatt Girls’ group dedicated a very nice Powerpoint presentation of memories collected over the past six months from the group’s events of which until recently, the novices had been members. Then, they all shared in the joy of the celebration in a simple banquet. The weather forecast had predicated rain for this day. However, through the intercession of Mary, by midday the dark thunderclouds had dispersed leaving it a bit cold, but with a hint of Spring to be enjoyed under the radiant sun.
Translation: amj, USA