Father’s Shepherds

There are abundant green trees loaded with fruit…but this one is different, it is special…it is priestly. It is a gift for the centennial of Father Kentenich’s priestly ordination: Costa Rica sponsors the Schoenstatt Fathers all over the world

Buscando... Find my priest... Findet meinen Priester...
Manuel E. Montero, Jefe de Dirección Diocesana: Feliz de encontrar a su sacerdote adoptado! Manuel Montero is glad to have found “his” priest Manuel Montero freut sich – er hat “seinen” Priester gefunden
Señoras Michelle, Gina y Marianella  orgullosas del trabajo hecho! Proud with the work Stolz auf das Werk
Hojas representando diferentes continentes y los niditos con los huevos significan las futuras vocaciones sacerdotales Leafs representing different continents and the nests with the eggs representing future vocations Blätter, die verschiedene Kontinente bedeuten. Die Nester stehen für die zukünftigen Berufe
Vista General del hermoso Arbol Sacerdotal General view Blick auf den Priesterbaum

COSTA RICA, Michelle Ramírez. "I adopted him for a year, but surely it will be forever." These are the very sincere words, full of emotion and good wishes that Sylvia Fedeli of the Ladies Branch in Costa Rica expressed.

"When I placed my hand in the wooden Shrine filled with the names of the priests, I asked God and the Blessed Mother that it be God who would choose the priest he wanted for me! Since I began this adoption, I feel a bond that unites me with him, he is always on my mind…it is funny, that this encourages me to offer what is most difficult, and do so with a happy face, because I think that this is for him, of course I also offer the beautiful things…I researched his name, the language sounded Lithuanian or Polish…after it was translated, I found out that he is a Polish priest one year younger than I am. He is the notary, secretary of the bishop of his diocese, and in May he celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his priesthood…I quickly decided to write to him…it is touching to feel that I am sponsoring him for a year, surely it will be forever…I also think that maybe someday I will meet him, but for sure in heaven…!"

This is one of the stories that was written in the middle of mid-year school vacation. There are many other experiences, which took place at the Movement House known as the Headquarters in San Jose. Ladies, adolescents, children arrived in the morning to cut, paste, and make a priestly paper tree, the most beautiful one in Schoenstatt!

"With the collaboration of: Father Mariano Irrureta, Provincial Superior for the Pentecost of the Schoenstatt Father Province, some general information from Sister Kornelia Fischer, our adviser, Father Guillermo Muzquiz, and Monsignor Peter Wolf, Director of the Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests, we were able to create an immense tree on the House wall," relates Marianella Coto, a delegate from Costa Rica for Conference 2014. "As of now, this project has borne much fruit: people from all the Branches have participated by creating the idea through designing, cutting, pasting etc. Because of the mid-year vacations, we also have had the participation of some children, who have happily helped and made it pleasant with music or by serving refreshments to the people who are working on the project.

An immense joy has been felt since the first day the project began

The project began with a simple, brown trunk…and little by little the branches were extended to its sides and above…just like the Schoenstatt Family is extended…it grows slowly, and its fruits are seen…Meanwhile at the dining room table, other ladies wrote the names of more than 200 priests on two kinds of different leaves…the European were maple leaves, with the names of those who live in Germany…and the other little leaves, had the names of the Pentecost province. They know that there are many more Schoenstatt Fathers, many more Schoenstatt priests in the Federation, the League, and among the Movement’s friends, whose names they did not receive. Who knows? Perhaps Divine Providence wanted to leave some Schoenstatt Fathers for other Schoenstatt families!

"The greatest and most beautiful thing about this project is to feel that not only the chosen priests benefit; but, we also benefit since the Blessed Mother from heaven can give them her graces for their priestly vocations for Costa Rica," commented Marianella Coto de Montero, Leader of the Diocesan Committee. "Since the first day we started this project, we felt an immense joy…Father Kentenich should also be happy knowing that it is all part of his fruit."

Many groups are re-scheduling their meeting at the Headquarters so that they can jointly experience randomly "choosing" the name of a priest.

Every leaf on the tree is "double" and attached to one another with Velcro®; it has the name of a priest and a line where each Schoenstatter who participates can place his/her name. Many mature fruits can also be seen on the tree. There are also many leaves of various kinds, some are dark green and mature, others are small and tender…which are the vocations of the future. The outer leaf with the name of the priest will be taken to their homes with the commitment of praying for him and offering Capital of Grace to the Blessed Mother. The wall with the priestly tree is located in the center of the House in front of the living room and the dining room…and beside the Home Shrine that holds the shingle from the Original Shrine, which was given at Conference 2014…

This is how the ticos (people from Costa Rica) shelter the priests in the center and most profound part of their hearts…giving them a place of honor for a year…and perhaps more!

Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA/amj