Crown for crown, Love for love, Faithfulness for faithfulness!

Catalina Garza / Vielka Villarreal

On November 1, 2 and 3, 2024, Monterrey witnessed an event longed for by all the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth in Mexico: The National Conference that is held every two years, this time with the title “Discovering what is essential”. This encounter attracted around 200 young women from different states of the republic, including: Chiapas, Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Iguala, Monclova, Querétaro, Taxco, Guadalajara, San Luis Potosí and, of course, Monterrey. They all share the desire to become better bearers of their ideal (As Immaculate Daughter Instrument of the Father) and to be living crowns for today’s Church.

A spirit of unity

The day began with the inauguration of a museum whose exhibit included a replica of the Shrine, as well as works that represented in an original way the different fundamental symbols of Schoenstatt and the Girls’ Youth. Some of them were: the covenant medal, the lily scepter, the RTA crown, and others. There was an exhibit of works made by the national youth in which they expressed what the Girls’ Youth means in their lives, as well as a presentation of a creative and original capital of grace that all the girls completed throughout the weekend with expressions of gratitude, gifts, and petitions for the Blessed Mother.

Moments of celebration and reflection

One of the most awaited moments for all the participants was the “Marian Festival”, in which each state presented through dance, choreography or performance one of the songs of the Girls’ Youth of Mexico, creating an atmosphere of great joy and sisterhood.

Throughout the weekend, very special moments were experienced: the celebration of three covenants of love, seven conquests of the Lily Scepter and 65 conquests of the RTA crown with which the Lily Scepter is crowned. In addition, the girls were part of a solemn act where all together, as the National Girls’ Youth, crowned a large-scale reproduction of the Lily Scepter, thus reaffirming the commitment of all the youth with the Blessed Mother. At the end, they all sang the hymn of the Girls’ Youth while embracing each other. This reinforced their unity and identity as women who long to be little Marys in today’s world.

During the conference, profound topics were discussed that invited everyone to live and defend the truth, listening conscientiously to the voice of God and taking self-education seriously; to re-activate Schoenstatt’s mission on a daily basis and to go out to encounter the world with determination and loyalty. The call to follow the Blessed Mother’s example and to deepen the Covenant of Love, crowning her with their own lives, was also reinforced.

A new motto

To conclude the conference, the new motto that will serve as a framework for the path of formation for the next two years of the Girls’ Youth of Mexico was presented: “Faithful Heiress, Victorious in the truth.”

María Vega, from the Girls’ Youth of Querétaro, shares her experience: “For me, this national conference was one of many lessons learned. I learned that we should be authentic in today’s world, not to be afraid to take God to the world and to have a deeper attachment to the Blessed Mother and to God. What I enjoyed most about this conference was seeing so many girls happy to be together thanks to the Blessed Mother. Singing the hymn together was one of the most beautiful things of the weekend. I enjoyed every topic, every dynamic, every meal, every game, etc. I enjoyed sharing and meeting more girls from other states, girls who share with me the same ideals and who have the same love for the Blessed Mother and for God.”

This National Conference was not only a space of encounter and formation, but also a forum of motivation and impulse to go out into the world with courage to live the authenticity of each one of us reflecting God. This event, where all the affection with which it was prepared was made fruitful, sends them forth with renewed energy and commitment to carrying forward Mary’s mission as heirs of an ideal and responsible for the next 100 years of Schoenstatt.

Crown for crown, Love for love, Faithfulness for faithfulness!

Translation: Maribel Acaron

Share

with your loved ones

Related articles that may interest you