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Pilgrimage of the Schoenstatt Sisters to Rome
Nachrichten - News - Noticias
 published: 2008-12-03

Father Joseph Kentenich – "A Conducting and Illuminating Likeness…"

Pilgrimage of nearly 100 representatives of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary travel to Rome to attach a Father Symbol in the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine.

 

Rom, San Stefano: vor der Heiligen Messe geben die Marienschwestern eine Einführung in die Bedeutung des Vatersymbols

Roma, San Stefano: antes de la Misa, las Hermanas de María explican el significado del símbolo del Padre

Rome, San Stefano: before the Holy Mass, the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary explain what the Father Eye symbol jeans

Rom, San Stefano: vor der Heiligen Messe geben die Marienschwestern eine Einführung in die Bedeutung des Vatersymbols

 

Das Cor Ecclesiae-Heiligtum mit dem Vatersymbol

El Santuario Cor Ecclesiae, con el símbolo del Padre

The Cor Ecclesiae Shrine, with the Father Eye Symbol

Das Cor Ecclesiae-Heiligtum mit dem Vatersymbol

 
Kardinal Martínez Somalo während der Feier am Cor Ecclesiae-Heiligtum  

El Cardenal Martínez Somalo durante la celebración en el Santuario Cor Ecclesiae

Cardinal Martínez Somalo during the celebration at the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine

Kardinal Martínez Somalo während der Feier am Cor Ecclesiae-Heiligtum

 
Bei der Ansprache  

Prédica

Sermon

Bei der Ansprache

 
Das Vatersymbol vor dem Heiligtum  

El símbolo, frente del Santuario

The symbol, placed in front of the Shrine

Das Vatersymbol vor dem Heiligtum

Fotos: Schw. María del Pilar Mendieta © 2008

 
Audienz  

Audiencia

Audience

Audienz

Foto: Schwester Mariana Nuñez © 2008

 
Das Vatersymbol

El símbolo del Padre

The Father Eye Symbol

Das Vatersymbol

Schwester María del Pilar Mendieta © 2008

 

 

 

ROME, Sr. Marie-Johanne Nienhaus. On November 16, 2008 - the birthday of Father Joseph Kentenich - the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary attached a Father Symbol in the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine. In addition to the General Council and Provincial Superiors of the Institute, who had just completed a meeting in the Mother House on Mount Schoenstatt, were additional community representatives coming from all continents. Church dignitaries and members of the Roman Schoenstatt Family were also invited to the celebration on November 16th.

The celebration began with a festive Holy Mass in the small Romanesque church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini near St Peter’s Basilica. In addition to a larger number of representatives of the Roman Curia, numerous members of the Roman Schoenstatt family and many friends and acquaintances were in attendance, bringing the total of participants to about 250. Monsignor Hermann Zimmerer, General Director of the Sisters of Mary, welcomed all present on behalf of the Sisters Family, especially the Main Celebrant, Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo who from 1992 to 2004 was the Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

The Meaning of the Father Symbol

A short meditative reflection followed, helping to set the tone of the celebration and to express what the attachment of the Father Symbol in the shrine meant for Sisters of Mary throughout the world who, over the course of several years, had prepared for this day:

  • "We want to offer the Triune God the Father Eye through the hands of the dear Blessed Mother." (Joseph Kentenich)
  • The Father Eye gives witness to the reality of a loving Father God, rich in mercy.
  • The Father Eye gives witness to the special mission of the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt.
  • It also gives witness to Father Kentenich and his charism as a blessing for the Church.

After this brief introduction, Cardinal Martínez Somalo began the Eucharistic Celebration. A Sisters’ choir enhanced the Liturgy with newly composed songs and responses. In his sermon, the Cardinal commented on the Sunday Gospel about the parable of the talents and said among other things: "The Responsorial Psalm places into our hand the key… Today, we commemorate a life that has born rich fruit: we give thanks for the life of the Founder of Schoenstatt, the Servant of God, Fr. Joseph Kentenich. He utilized the talents the Lord had entrusted to him until the end and made them fruitful. "You good and faithful servant!" The two words that are engraved on his tomb give testimony to his loyalty to the Church, even in difficult times: Dilexit Ecclesiam - He loved the Church! From where did he receive the power for such faithfulness and loyalty? "Whoever remains in me, will bear rich fruit!" (John 15:5).

Later in the homily, he expressed how very much he appreciated the entire Schoenstatt Movement and its Founder and that he recognizes him as a father figure for his spiritual family and beyond. "Such a father is a conducting and illuminating likeness that straightens the path of the children to the Eternal Father. Here we are approaching the life ideal of the Founder of Schoenstatt: He wanted to open his heart wide for countless people to mediate for them the deep experience of the Fatherhood of God."

Following the Intercessions, prayed in various languages, an Italian couple and their children carried the Offertory gifts to the altar. Sister M. Jacoba Kesselheim, the General Superior of the community, presented Cardinal Martínez Somalo with the Father Symbol for the Shrine as the mutual offering of the Sisters.

Thy Kingdom Come

After the Eucharistic Liturgy, all who took part in the celebration caravanned in cars and buses proceeding to the Sisters House on Via Aurelia Antica 112 and gathered around the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine. All the festival guests, including some recently arrived guests of honor, positioned themselves in the large tent that was set up in front of the shrine. After words of welcome by Sr. M. Jacoba, the attachment ceremony of the Father Symbol took place. The guiding inspiration for the ceremony was the Our Father, embellished via the Heavenwards texts of Fr. Kentenich. The Schoenstatt Family present at the celebration, was invited to pray the little consecration prayer "My Queen, My Mother" and in so doing take part in this momentous event.

Sr. M. Jacoba then summarized the significance that the Sisters Family connected to the attachment of a Father Symbol in a shrine located in the heart of the Church. She asked the Blessed Mother to help the community – in light of each Province ideal – to spread a Marian Father Kingdom all over the world.

After the invocation of the Holy Spirit, Cardinal Martínez Somalo stepped into the entrance of the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine and presented the Father Eye to the Heavenly Father. While the Sisters sang the song, "I Know You Are my Father…", Schoenstatt Father Ludovico Tedeschi, Superior and Movement Director in Italy, was given the honorable task to attach the Father Symbol above the light frame of the MTA picture. All present attentively followed this moment and tried to catch a glimpse of the event happening in the sanctuary of the shrine. As the shrine bell resounded, all joined in joyous applause!

Making Acquaintances

After the blessing, the cardinals and bishops spontaneously made their way into the shrine, followed by the priests, to really get a good look at the newly affixed Father Eye. One could hear the remark, "It is truly beautiful!" Thereafter, the other guests endeavored to make a short visit in the shrine, during which some individual groups also sang songs. The invitation of Sister M. Jacoba to enjoy refreshments in the house was very willingly accepted. The festive buffet created a relaxed, extremely family like atmosphere whereby many pleasant acquaintances were made and opportunities for good conversation between honored guests, the Roman Schoenstatt Family, the Sisters and all who had come to the celebration was possible. As he bid farewell, Cardinal Martínez Somalo once again expressed how gladly he had taken part in this ceremony and how comfortable he felt in the midst of the Schoenstatt Family.

Papal Audience – Another Highlight

Another highlight of the Rome Pilgrimage made by the Sisters of Mary was the participation in the general audience with Pope Benedict XVI on November 19 in St Peter's Square.

To the great joy of the Sisters, they were given seating extremely close to the Holy Father.

The audience was very well attended. St. Peter's Square was half full with various groups from parishes and schools, with numerous music groups who, time and again performed short musical pieces, and with a group of chefs wearing their kitchen finery, inclusive of tall white hats! A very cheerful and festive mood reigned over St. Peter's Square, not least because of the beautiful, sunny weather. As the community of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary was announced, the Sisters all waved happily and full of enthusiasm at the Holy Father.

Following the official part of the audience, the Holy Father approached the Sisters of Mary. Monsignor Zimmerer and Sister M. Jacoba showed him the Father Symbol and told him briefly about the attachment ceremony in the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine. The Holy Father knew about the ceremony and commented that now, after its extensive, worldwide pilgrimage through all the provinces, the Father Eye had reached its destination in Rome. With great joy and personal interest, he looked at the Father Symbol and blessed it. Monsignor Zimmerer and Sister M. Jacoba thanked him and promised that he would be especially remembered in the prayers of the Sisters of Mary and receive their support in the spirit of Dilexit Ecclesiam.

All were deeply satisfied and full of gratitude about this encounter with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

Translation: Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, Schoenstatt

 


 

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