A moment of true grace

The blessing of the Cor Unum in Patre Shrine of the Schoenstatt Family of San Antonio on the 18^th of October, 2008 - First impressions

Hermanas de María entregan símbolos al obispo Sisters of Mary offering symbols to the bishop Marienschwestern überreichen dem Bischof Symbole
Llegada del cuadro de la MTA The MTA picture is carried to the Shrine Das MTA-Bild für das Heiligtum wird herbeigetragen
Ofrendas Offering Gabengang
Mariachi Mariachi Mariachi
Interior der Santuario más j óven Interior of the youngest Shrine Inneres den jüngsten Heiligtums Fotos: Lizzie Loetz © 2008 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

USA, Angie Santos. San Antonio, perhaps the most beautiful city in Texas, with its beautiful scenery, historical monuments, Hispanic heritage, and its history in the Republic makes it a central tourist attraction in the state. The place where the Schoenstatt Family of San Antonio built a Shrine definitely can be added to the list.

Located in the "Hill Country" of Texas but near the city and other tourist attractions like Sea World and Fiesta Texas, the hills are covered with many trees and flowers. The Blessed Mother has had to wait thirty-five years, according to Pilar Huerta, one of the leaders of the Family, and it was worth the trouble, then the blessing of the Shrine was a moment of true grace where the presence of Our Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt was strongly felt.

The ceremony, attended by a thousand people, began at three in the afternoon, and the Archbishop of San Antonio, Jose Gomez presided. Several Schoenstatt priests concelebrated along with friends of the Movement. In addition to the Texas pilgrims, others came from as far away as Florida, Puerto Rico, and many cities in Mexico, like Monterrey, Saltillo, and Queretaro, wearing T-shirts with the colors of their Shrines helped to identify them.

The most exciting moment was of course the arrival of the Mother Thrice Admirable following after the children carrying flowers. Among the Sisters was Sister M. Corelia along with Father Hector Vega and the leaders of the San Antonio Family were the organizers of the Shrine, they brought the Blessed Mother’s Crown and several gifts for the Shrine and presented them to the Archbishop.

After the ceremony, the Family invited everyone to a typical Texas Bar-B-Que complete with music supplied by a mariachi band.

The second Shrine in Texas

A couple of days before the dedication, Pilar Huerta wrote about the meaning of this new Shrine:

The Cor Unum in Patre Shrine to be dedicated in San Antonio, Texas, USA is a longing fulfilled. For many years we have prepared for the day when our Mother would reign from her Shrine in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

On October 18, with great joy, we will offer our Mother and Victorious Queen the Cor Unum in Patre Shrine, the second Shrine of the Texas Family, as jubilee gift for the 50 years of her special activity from the Confidentia Shrine. For five decades, we have received the special grace of unlimited, childlike and victorious confidence through the hands of our covenant partner. Our striving to live confidence daily has shaped our story. It is with the attitude of great confidence that the Shrine is also offered in thanksgiving in advance for the canonization of our father and founder, Father Joseph Kentenich.

A very festive day of celebration in honor of our Mother Thrice Admirable has been planned. This day of dedication will officially open the Jubilee Year of the Confidentia Shrine in Lamar. Many guests are expected for the Dedication from throughout Texas, the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico. We congratulate the Schoenstatt Family of Brazil who will dedicate their Shrine on the same day and wish for them a very beautiful and special day of grace. We invite all of our worldwide family to spiritually accompany the Schoenstatt Family of Brazil and Texas, USA on this great day!