A 2014 touch at the new Father´s corner in Mont Sion Gikungu

Opening of the centenary of Father Kentenich's Ordination in Burundi - The whole country is preparing for the "Queen of Peace" coronation

El P. Zingg bendice el cuadro de Padre Fr. Zingg blessing the Father picture P. Zingg segnet das Bild
Un toque  de 2014... Reminding of the Conference 2014... Ein Hauch von Konferenz 2014
Oración Prayer Gebet
Toda la familia se prepara a la coronación The entire family prepares for the crowning Die ganze Familie erwartet die Krönung
Bendición de la corona por el Santo Padre The Holy Father blessing the crown Der Heilige Vater hat die Krone gesegnet Fotos: Seitzer © 2009

BURUNDI, Sister M. Lisette Seitzer / mkf. The big Father Kentenich picture, a present of the Schönstatt Family of Ecuador for the Conference 2014, combines for many with the deep experience of this international great moment of the Schoenstatt Family. Together with the international Auxiliary which had just returned from Burundi, this picture stood in the point of attention of the delegates, surrounded by the symbols of grace from the countries. Now a copy of this picture is in the new father's site by the shrine in Bujumbura.

On the 8th of July, 2009 was the opening of a new Father Kentenich memorial in Bujumbura, Burundi, Mont Sion, beside the shrine. On that day in the evening at 17 o'clock there was a holy mass in the shrine in Mont Sion, Gikungu, Bujumbura to open the jubilee year of Father Kentenich's priest's inauguration. Many believers from the town took part in the celebration. The Schönstattchoir "Sancta Maria" did his best, around the Schönstattfamily to start the new jubilee year with music. Afterwards to the holy mass everybody went to the new Father's memorial beside the shrine where Father Zingg blest the big Father image solemnly and everybody sang enthusiastically a Father's song. The Father image of the conference in 2014, middle of a new memorial, established on the day in which the Father's symbol of the original shrine started ist worldwide pilgrimage.

The Conference 2014 and the preparation for 2014 are very much present in Burundi. Many articles have been written, a lot of pictures have been shown and material has been evaluated. Burundi also is expecting with much longing the visit of the Father Symbol that began ist world pilgrimage on this very same day.

Queen of Peace

The international Auxiliary from the pilgrim mother campaign has been visiting Burundi and its neighboured countries for almost two years now and has been in front of several peace pilgrimages. In the beginning of June the wanted own Auxiliary arrived for Burundi and the big lake countries carried by Father Heinrich Walter and Father Claudio Martínez.

Now the Schönstattfamily along with the whole church body of Burundi is getting prepared for the coronation of the thrice admirable Mother and Queen of Schönstatt to the Queen of peace and reconciliation in the shrine of Bujumbura.

Burundi has suffered for 10 long years under pain, separation and bloodshed. The wounds are deep and attack the soul of the nation. The Schönstatt shrine Mont Sion Gikungu developed a movement to restore peace and advise reconciliation. It helps to create an atmosphere of dialogue and prayer that enables peace. Holy Mary, trough the Shrine has been setting up bonds and helping to create trust, faith and solidarity, all needed to consolidate a deep and durable peace.

Three years ago, the Schönstattfamily started to ask Mary to state herself as a "Queen of Peace and Reconciliation" for Burundi, as for the big lake countries: Rwanda, Congo and Tanzania.

Peace is definitely a gift of God, but it needs man’s help. The request that is asked of Mary is that she- model of family and church – help them and all the countries of this region to move obstacles and to find the right way to reconciliation, justice and peace.

The whole worldwide Schönstattfamily is invited to join the hour of mercy on the 15^th August through praying and offerings. Together in the Covenant of Love.

Plans are being made to show the coronation live in the internet and the international Roserary on the 15th August will be connected to Burundi as well.

• Write to p.demar@schoenstatt.net

Translation: Sofi Barbosa and Tobia Wiedemer