2014, The Year for Priests, and The Schoenstatt Movement in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas USA

Fruits of the Conference 2014 - By Carlos Cantú, Delegate of the USA

USA I became acquainted with Schoenstatt 46 years ago. I sealed my Covenant of Love 42 years ago, and my entire married life of 41 years has been in Schoenstatt. On the second day of our marriage, my wife and I sealed our Covenant of Love as a couple in our Confidentia Shrine of Rockport/Lamar, Texas. We have always worked for the Movement in general, the Family Branch and are members of the Schoensattt Family Federation.

We have been in Schoenstatt four times, the last time being at Conference 2014 last February. Being a delegate from the USA to Conference 2014 is one of the highlights of my life. It was a tremendous experience to be with Schoenstatt brothers and sisters from 32 countries. That experience alone is worth gold. The experience that regardless of language, color, or culture we are one family is awesome. That we have one Mother, one Father and Founder, one Shrine…..and that whether we are pilgrims, members of the leagues, federations, or institutes really makes no difference because we all seal the same Covenant of Love which was sealed with the MTA, Father Kentenich and the founding generation in the Shrine…..and now we are preparing the 100^th anniversary of this historic event.

An accurate summary of our Cenacle experience

I fully agree with MESSAGE FOR THE 2014 CONFERENCE. It is indeed an accurate summary of our Cenacle experience which was the product of much prayer, sharing and collaboration. The identification of the four life currents through which the Covenant of Love is present in our times really touches me, especially the power of the Shrine and the attachment to our father and his charism. The difficulties in the world, Church and society today all indicate the great need for the father and a home…..and Schoenstatt gives this to us and we now have to share this with others because the need is great and the time is now.

I also believe that the five strategic areas which we identified, must become a priority. They are all very important, especially marriage and family life, and the youth; however, while we concentrate on these strategic areas, as a Movement, as a Schoenstatt Family we must strive tirelessly for the incorporation of our original charism into the diocesan and universal Church and especially our local parish Churches. It will be wonderful to meet in Schoenstatt in 2014, and it will be exciting to meet with the Pope in Rome in 2014, but if we remain on the sidelines like the illegitimate child at the family reunion, then that is all we are. We have something special to offer to the Church and world and the time is now.

In the southernmost corner of the state of Texas in the USA, the Schoenstatt Family is making a contribution toward the great goals and aspirations of Conference 2014

Already at Conference 2014, these were my thoughts. Belonging to Schoenstatt since before Father Kentenich was released from Exile and having gone through painful struggles with members of the clergy and parishioners for the acceptance of Schoenstatt in the local parish and diocese, motivates me and impels me to really work and strive for this incorporation of Schoenstatt into the local Church and Diocese.

Then comes the proclamation "The Year for Priests" by Pope Benedict XVI. With the recent scandals involving priests in several places, I thought that this would be an excellent time for us to act. I had also just translated an article for the Schoenstatt pressoffice which Sr. Kornelia had sent me entitled ONE YEAR TO CELEBRATE FULLY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. The article had quotes from Cardinal Claudio Hummes, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, and Schoenstatt Fathers, Frs. Alberto Eronti and José Luis Correa. My thoughts were that this was a wonderful opportunity to incorporate Schoenstatt into the Diocesan and Universal Church and would bring an awareness of Schoenstatt’s interest in the Church to the local Bishop, priests and seminarians in the diocese. So, when someone mentions Schoenstatt, Our Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt, or wants to introduce the Pilgrim MTA, then there is light and not darkness or confusion. I consulted other members of the Movement. All were in agreement and I prepared a document which I mailed to our local Bishop. Our intention is to pray three Hail Mary’s daily for our Bishop, all priests and seminarians. "We also hope that our prayers will help to increase your ranks with much needed priestly vocations." I further stated: "The tomb of Father Joseph Kentenich, Founder of the International Schoenstatt Movement, bears the inscription DILEXIT ECCLESIAM. Father Kentenich loved the Church, and we, his followers in the Brownsville Diocese, also wish to demonstrate our love for the Church by praying daily for you, all priests, and seminarians."

In the southernmost corner of the state of Texas in the USA, the Schoenstatt Family is making a contribution toward the great goals and aspirations of Conference 2014. Like on Mothers’ Day when everyone calls Mother to greet her, Blessed Mother will be expecting to hear the greetings of her children in the Brownsville Diocese of Texas as they renew the Covenant of Love on October 18, 2014.

• Letter to Bishop Peña (pdf)