Mary’s Advent, a model of waiting

Activities of the Mothers’ Branch around Lima’s Shrine

Renovación de la Alianza de Amor Renewal of the Covenant of Love Bündniserneuerung im Heiligtum
Cumpleaños feliz, Padre Kentenich Happy Birthday, Fr. Kentenich Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag, Pater Kentenich!
Mamá e hija Mother and daughter Mutter und Tochter
Apertura de la exposición de nacimientos Opening of the Manger Expo Eröffnung der Krippenausstellung
Rama de Madres Mothers’ League Schönstattgemeinschaft Frauen und Mütter Fotos: Queca Espinoza © 2008

PERU, Queca Espinoza. An exhibit of more than one hundred crèches from different countries helps to remind everyone coming to Lima’s Schoenstatt Shrine at La Molina that Advent, the waiting for Christmas, has begun.

On November 18^th, the renewal day for the Covenant of Love at the La Molina Shrine in Lima, Peru, Father Victor Solis presented a talk to the Mother’s Branch about Advent. He reminded them that it was a time of arrival, of coming, of waiting. He spoke about two very concrete realities: first that Jesus has already been born, He has already come, and He is present, second, each year we desire His coming and His return just as He promised. For this reason, an attitude of vigilance is necessary and attentiveness, so that He will find hearts that are well prepared and willing.

Father Solis spoke about the three personalities found in Holy Scripture who are related to Advent: Isaiah, who announced Jesus’ coming, John the Baptist, who prepared the way, and Mary, who was aware of the God’s promises and who gave her "YES" and received Him in her womb.

After the celebration of Holy Mass and the renewal of the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother, a reception was held where there was a cake, and "Happy Birthday" was sung recalling November 16^th, the 123^rd birthday of our Father and founder, Joseph Kentenich.

The desire to celebrate Christmas is the true reason for the season

And finally, within the framework for the preparation of Advent, an exhibit of crèches was inaugurated at the Pilgrims’ Bookstore. Some are wooden, stone, paper, ceramic, woven, embroidered, and there are some from different countries, all of which came from a collection belonging to a family in the Movement. And why does a single family have more than one hundred crèches? Thirty-one years of love and a deep desire to celebrate Christmas is the true reason for the season: the mystery of the Birth of the Child Jesus.

Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA/amj