An Old World Is in Flames. A New World Is Becoming…..

1,600 persons arrived in Schoenstatt to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of Father Kentenich’s death. Bishop Zollitsch called the Schoenstatt Movement to collaborate in the building of a new Church

Procesión de entrada. Mons. Robert Zollitsch, Presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal de Alemania, es el celebrante principal Entrance procession. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, President of the German Bishops’ Conference, is the main celebrant Der Hauptzelebrant, Erzbischof Dr. Robert Zollitsch, Vorsitzender der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz, grüßt die Schönstattfamilie
Un momento festivo... A festive moment Ein festlicher Tag, der zum Aufbruch wird
“La vida se enciende en la vida. No comienza con lo que anuncian los dogmas como verdadero y seguro. La historia de la vida de cada individuo juega un rol fundamental.” “Life enkindles life and doesn’t begin with what is proclaimed in the dogmas as true and certain. The life history of the individual counts.“ „Leben entzündet sich am Leben und beginnt nicht mit dem, was in Dogmen als wahr und bestimmt verkündet wird. Die Lebensgeschichte des Einzelnen zählt.“
Bendición Blessing Segen zum Aufbruch
En la tumba del Padre At Father Kentenich’s tomb An der Grabstätte Pater Kentenichs
Bendición el en Santuario Original Benediction in the Original Shrine Gebet im und am Urheiligtum Fotos: K. Fischer /Clemens Mann © 2008 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

SCHOENSTATT, Clemens Mann. "Shortly after 6:00 A.M., Father Kentenich entered the sacristy of the Adoration Church. He briefly greeted the sacristan, Sr. Anneluzia, and Fr. Weigand. He donned the priestly vestments. At 6:15, both priests approached the altar. A third priest then arrived, Fr. Drago Maritsch, a Discalced Carmelite from Yugoslavia who was vacationing in Schoenstatt. The three concelebrated Holy Mass. Upon returning to the sacristy, Father Kentenich spoke briefly to the two priests and invited them to breakfast. He then removed his priestly vestments and remained for a moment in silence in front of the table in the sacristy. He was probably praying….."

Arriving at noon to the tomb of the Founder was a small delegation of representatives from the General Presidium of the Schoenstatt Work, members from the German National Presidium, politicians from the area, representatives from other Movements – among them, Gerhard Pross from the YMCA – and members of the news media. This was before the arrival of a flood of pilgrims who were coming to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the death of Father Kentenich. Also among them was the Archbishop of Friburg, Bishop Robert Zollitsch, who for several months now is the president of the German Bishops Conference. He arrived even earlier than the others and spent a long time in silence, probably praying before the tomb of the Founder.

"Suddenly Father Kentenich dropped forward over the table. Fr. Drago and Fr. Weigand, who were still at his side, tried to support him, taking his arms. His body became so heavy that they had to allow him to sink slowly to the floor. The sacristan ran for a small pillow which she put under his head. Father Kentenich seemed to be unconscious. Shortly after, at 7:07 A.M., he stopped breathing….."

The words of Sr. M. Pia are listened to with attention and fascination. Serenely and solemnly she relates the events of that day. Singing and praying in common takes place at Father Kentenich’s tomb. It seems that in this aura, one can again relive the profound memories and commotion which took place on that day – and it produces – his unexpected death in the Adoration Church. Today as then.

A living current of faith

Later, hundreds of pilgrims arrived at the tomb of the Founder of Schoenstatt. They arrived to the tomb of Father Kentenich, confident that he has an open heart for their intentions. They are confident that his heart is open to all who come with their desires, needs and worries. They arrive at the tomb praying in gratitude for some happy experience and for Father’s help.

This living current of faith had already flowed through the Church of the Pilgrims. At 10:30, on the morning of September 14^th, Bishop Dr. Robert Zollitsch had celebrated a solemn Holy Mass with 1,600 persons filling the church. "The people were elbow to elbow. It is something beautiful," said Fr. Angel Strada after the Mass. Fr. Strada who is from Argentina, was one of the concelebrants at the Mass and is the postulator for the beatification process of Father Kentenich. The Church of the Pilgrims was filled on the spot. Spontaneously, benches from the outside were brought inside in order for more people to sit. Nevertheless, many had to stand since no one had anticipated such a crowd.

The people from Osnabruck who had arrived since Saturday with their diocesan pilgrimage, intermingled with the hundreds of persons who had arrived to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the death of Father Kentenich. Some had announced their coming, others had not. "As soon as we read it on the internet, we knew we were coming," said Mr. and Mrs. Hirschmugl who live near Vienna. Scarves with patriotic colors make it easy to recognize a group of 48 pilgrims from Argentina who were concluding in Schoenstatt a trip to Marian Shrines in Portugal and France. With increasing enthusiasm, they were able to follow the homily attentively, thanks to the translation which had been prepared in advance.

In the homily – which motivated and shook-up many – and which hit on target the youthful state of mind of the Schoenstatt Movement and was contagiously enthusiastic and genuine, the Archbishop of Friburg, who is a member of the Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests, related his 1964 encounter with Father Kentenich in Milwaukee. There, Father Kentenich was convinced that Schoenstatt, thanks to the Second Vatican Council, would be better understood. Now would come the great challenge for us. In the last years of his life, Father Kentenich always emphasized that one should look toward the future and discover a response to the challenges of the present and the future. It was very clear for him that the Church should march toward the new shores if it wants to form the future of the world and society. "We are all called to help in our own way with building up, which at the same time gives us a new Church, a Church renewed in many dimensions" (talk to priests, 2-17-68).

Into the newest times…..

For Bishop Zollitsch, this exhortation for marching into the renewal, is the imperative from Father’s legacy. Exactly today, and especially for the Church in Germany, Schoenstatt should proclaim anew that God is alive and all-powerful, that He works among men and women, and in this way renew the Church. It is a renewal of the Church through the commitment of its members, through the apostolate of the laity, and through the vocation of each Christian to strive for the building of the Kingdom of God. The Founder has laid this foundation in his Family from the beginning, as a task from God. After the Second Vatican Council, the lack of priests is at best God’s cue to us that challenges and compels us to think more deeply about the dignity and task of every Christian. We can pass on long years of experience and a constant path of faith with God as to what the laity can actively bring, engage in and responsibly shape in our Church.

"In this sense, we can rejoice for all that is experienced in our Movement. At the same time, we have the challenge of asking ourselves how we can continue on this path, how we enliven it today." Bishop Zollitsch also spoke of the phenomenon of a growing individualism in societal and religious life. In regard to this, Schoenstatt offers a valuable access – also a foundation laid by Father Kentenich – which permits that these types of personalities experience the beauty of the faith. He includes the experience of the individual in his spirituality: he trusts that the trace of God is foundational to the human person.

"Life enkindles life and doesn’t begin with what is proclaimed in the dogmas as true and certain." The life history of the individual counts. The Covenant of Love becomes visible in an exemplary way. At the end of his homily, Bishop Zollitsch said with firm insight: "Schoenstatt can bring many of its treasures into the Church of our day. We do not have to hide in the catacombs. On the contrary, we can, conscious of our own identity and with a conquering spirit, we can collaborate in the formation of the new Church." We must not forget this innovative power of Schoenstatt. "We want to see anew the possibilities which are offered to us today. Let us be ready and have the courage to bring our many treasures into the Church of our day! Let us be ready to go on this trip and also as Schoenstatters to go new ways. Let us have the courage to lead the way into the future and so inspire people for the faith anew. As decisive and foundational as the impetus is that our Father and Founder gave, so above all, it depends on how we take his spirit and attitude into our time."

• The complete text of the homily
• To listen to the entire Mass

Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 092308