The World’s Lighthouse

A great day for the Schoenstatt Family in Florida: Building permission for the Shrine in Miami granted on November 18

Feliz cumpleaños, Padre Kentenich Happy birthday, Fr. Kentenich Herzlichen Glückwunsch, P. Kentenich!
„¡Si!“ La delegaciòn vuelve con la noticia tan esperada “Yes!” The delegation returns with the positive answer “Ja!” Die Delegation kommt mit der positiven Nachricht zurück
Misa de agradecimiento Mass of thanksgiving Dankmesse Fotos: Arango/Ycaza © 2008

USA, Luis Arango/mkf. On November 18, after a long period of waiting, the city of Miami gave permission for the building of the future Shrine in Southern Florida. With great joy and gratitude to all those who accompanied them with their prayers, the Schoenstatt Family of Miami hopes that by the next year’s end - probably around November 18, 2009 – a new Shrine can be blessed in the USA.

November 18 was a really great day for the Schoenstatt family of Florida after years of waiting they finally got the approval to build the Shrine. The court hearing with the building department had been scheduled for Covenant Day! Archbishop John C. Favalora and Sister Marie Day gave about an hour-long presentation, where they spoke from the heart regarding Schoenstatt and what the Shrine means to Schoenstatt. When the vote came, it was all in favor and permission was granted.

At the Schoenstatt home, many remained in prayer, while others went to court to be present while the case was made.

Where immigrants and travelers would feel the grace of having a home

After the meeting was over, everyone went back to the Schoenstatt home and held a prayer meeting thanking the Mother Thrice Admirable for the good things she was giving to the Schoenstatt Family of Southern Florida.

Sara Ycaza comments: "It is difficult to express in words the happiness that fills us since the day of the marvelous decision that opens the way for building the Shrine in Miami! Father Esteban Uriburu said that Miami is like the portal of the world, and that this Shrine would have to be like the Schoenstatt Lighthouse, where immigrants and travelers would feel secure and protected." The Schoenstatt land is near to areas with many immigrant families. "From the Shrine, we will do our best, with the help of the MTA, so they feel the grace of having a home, which we all long for so much in order to be able to feel and have peace," Sara comments.

Two Holy Masses in thanksgiving have been celebrated since then. Many people came to join in these moments of thanksgiving for the great gift received on November 18^th. Moreover, the Schoenstatt Family is sure that the new Shrine in Miami, because of its location will be among those most visited by Schoenstatters from all over the world.

Edition: amj, USA