I think participating in this Conference will be one of the greatest experiences of my life

Conference 2014: Interview with Carlos Cantú, member of the Delegation from USA

Carlos Cantú, uno de los representantes de la familia de Schoenstatt de los Estados Unidos Carlos Cantú, one of the representatives of the Schoenstatt Family of the USA Carlos Cantú, einer der Vertreter der Schönstattfamilie der USA
Carlos Cantú con Raquel Guillen, de la rama de madres, misionera ardiente de la Campaña del Rosario Carlos Cantú with Raquel Guillen, member of the Mothers' Branch and an ardent worker in the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign.  Carlos Cantú und Raquel Guillen, aus der Sch önstatt-Bewegung Frauen und Mütter, eine glühende Missionarin der Pilgernden Gottesmutter Fotos: Cantú © 2009

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. "This, now, is like entering into a new era…..we are actually planning for Schoenstatt’s 100^th birthday!" Carlos Cantú has translated many articles on Schoenstatt.de and most of the texts to be presented soon on the completely remodeled Schoenstatt.de; after translating the interview with the Julio from Chile, participants of the upcoming Conference 2014, he agreed to now answer these same questions from his perspective – because he is a participant of this Conference, too, as a member of the US delegation.

Carlos Cantú lives in LaFeria, Texas, USA; together with his wife, Elizabeth, he is a member of the Family Federation, a proud father and grandfather, and a faithful collaborator of PressOffice Schoenstatt as correspondent and volunteer translator since many years. And those who meet him during the Conference should ask him what it means to him to be "Vater’s Carlos"! We asked "Vater’s Carlos" about his preparation and expectations with the Conference 2014 which will begin come February 1 in Schoenstatt.

How do you prepare for the conference?

I am very excited about the Conference. I am praying that all goes well and that there are no obstacles. I am in contact with the other representatives as far as it is possible. We are coming from two extreme directions of the USA. Fortunately, I know the other representatives.

I am also excited that my wife will be accompanying me to the Conference.

This is the first time there is a conference which is so international with representatives from 32 countries in Schoenstatt. What does participating in it mean to you?

To attend a Conference of this nature and with representatives from so many places is thrilling. To experience Schoenstatters from so many different countries gives me a great feeling for the work of our Father and Founder. It is an honor and yet a humbling experience to be able to participate. To share and exchange with our brothers and sisters from different countries, makes me more aware of the greatness of our Father and Founder. I think participating in this Conference will be one of the greatest experiences of my life. I have been in Schoenstatt three times and each time has its special graces and experiences. In 1970, I participated in the first international pilgrimage to Schoenstatt since we were from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the USA. It was an outstanding experience for us and for those who received us. 1985 had the flavor of Father Kentenich’s 100^th birthday, what can I say!!!!! 2004 was more an experience of thanksgiving for all I had received, but this, now, is like entering into a new era…..we are actually planning for Schoenstatt’s 100^th birthday!!!

We will begin the Conference in the Original Shrine; each country will bring a symbol to the Original Shrine as an expression of wanting to "enrich the foundation" (as Joao Pozzobon said when he took the Original Pilgrim MTA to the Original Shrine). It is an expression of the current of returning. What do you expect from this?

I think we will all be enriched when we experience the symbols from the other countries. I expect to achieve a greater sense of thanksgiving and a greater sense of awareness for the internationality of our Movement. I think we will really experience what it is to be united with one Mother, one Father, and one Home, and we will further experience the greatness of the one Covenant of Love which unites us all.

In general, what do you expect from the Conference?

In general, I expect it to be a grace-filled experience. I expect to be more afire for our great mission and I expect to learn from the different representatives how Schoenstatt grows, develops, and forges into the future in their different countries. I expect it to be an enriching experience.