A day they will remember for the rest of their lives
Covenant of Love of the first couples' group of the Schoenstatt Movement from the area of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, on the 31st of May, 2009
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El 31 de mayo, sellaron su Alianza de Amor en el Santuario de New York: el primer grupo de familias de Washington On May 31, they
sealed their Covenant of Love in the Shrine in
Am 31. Mai hat die erste Familiengruppe aus Washington DC das Liebesbündnis geschlossen |
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En el Santuario durante el rito In the Shrine, during the rite Beim Ritus im Heiligtum |
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Nada sin ti… Nothing without you... Nichts ohne dich... |
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Participando de la fiesta de la familia de Schoenstatt de New York Participating in the festivity of the Schoenstatt Family of New York Beim Fest der Schönstattfamilie von New York |
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Peregrinas Pilgrim MTAs Bilder der Pilgernden Gottesmutter |
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Santa Misa Holy Mass Heilige Messe |
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El grupo de Washington The group from Washington Die Gruppe aus
Fotos: Enrique Soros/Rosario Santos/Hugo Cáceres © 2009 |
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USA, Hugo Cáceres/Rosario Santos. Early that morning, on the way from Washington to New York, it was very rainy. However, upon arriving at the Candlemas Shrine at Staten Island, New York, the day was sunny and very pleasant, especially for the crowning celebration of the Mother and Queen and for the Covenant of Love for the first Couples’ Group. It was Pentecost and a very special day for the Schoenstatt Family since it marked the 60th anniversary of the 31st of May 1949.
Five couples sealed their Covenant of Love with the Mother Thrice Admirable; they were from different countries: United States, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru, they shared this wonderful event with their 11 children. Christopher was the youngest member among them; he is the son of Shriley and James O’Donnell and he was born only three weeks ago, precisely three hours after the last group meeting of preparation.
After months of walking together during the training and abundant contributions to the Capital of Grace, the Blessed Mother wanted to seal the Covevant of Love in her Shrine on the very special day of Pentecost and on a very special day for the Schoenstatt Family, the anniversary of 31st of May 1949.
A special day for Washington
The ceremony was something very wonderful with the lighting of the candles, the blessing of the medals, the Rite, and the renewal of the marriage vows. Father Hector Vega and Sister Iraida Gueera made the ceremony very special for all of them; it was something very beautiful that all will treasure in their hearts and remember for the rest of their lives. Sister Iraida, who always accompanied the group, presented the symbols along with Father Hector.
Tears of happiness and emotion filled the eyes of several of the couples. The joy cannot be described and in Her Shrine all felt sheltered, transformed and above all sent forth not only to Washington, D.C.; but also to Maryland and Virginia so that She can reign among them, encouraged by the Holy Spirit and by Father Kentenich.
The 31st of May 2009 will be a very special day for the Schoenstatt Movement from the area of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.
Translation: Rosario Santos, USA