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July 28, 2021 By Vanessa Franke

Pope Francis and his teachings on sports

Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games

Pope Francis has repeatedly underlined the educational potential of sports for young people, the importance of "putting oneself on the line" and the merit of "fair play".

Vatican City
July 28, 2021

pope francis, papa francisco, papst franziskus

The inauguration of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games took place at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. In his teachings on sports, Francis emphasizes values such as teamwork, unity, and fair play.

The Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo 2020 were delayed by one year due to the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, at the arrival of the athletes to the Olympic Village, positive cases of coronavirus were already detected. This triggered the Japanese organization’s anti-covid protocol.

Some of the measures taken to avoid Covid19 infections are as follows:

– There will be no spectators in the stands at the stadiums.

– Hugging between athletes is not allowed.

– Olympic winners will have to put their medals around their own necks to avoid any possible contact.

Pope Francis’ teachings on sports

Pope Francis has repeatedly underlined the educational potential of sports for young people, the importance of “putting oneself on the line” and the merit of “fair play”. He also emphasized the value of a defeat because the greatness of a person is more evident when he or she falls rather than in moments of triumph, both in sports and in life.

The Pope reminded the Special Olympics athletes that sports can be “a universal language that can overcome cultural, social, religious and physical differences, and it can unite people, rendering them participants in the same game and co-protagonists of victories and defeats”.

In an address to the Italian swimmers in 2018 the Pope reflected on the value of sports, saying, “regardless of the technical results, they offer a testimony of discipline, healthy competition and team play. They show what goals can be reached through training, which involves great effort as well as sacrifices.” Pope Francis insisted on the ‘team building’ aspect. It is true that swimming is mainly an individual sport, but by practicing it in a sports society, and at a national level, it becomes a team experience in which collaboration and mutual help are very important”.

The sacred fire of passion: the Olympic torch

In his Open Letter to the Vatican Athletic Team, Francis composed a very motivational speech for the athletes preparing for the Olympic Games. He made a comparison between the flame of the Olympic Games and the burning bush in the book of Exodus. “When I think of sports, I really like the image of fire: it is bright, clean, dazzling. When it becomes a flame, it no longer produces smoke: it is mysterious, brilliant. It is the sacred fire of passion, which heats without consuming.”

Throughout his open letter, the Supreme Pontiff encouraged young athletes to pursue their dreams of victory in spite of any suffering. Along this same line, earlier this year, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Pope noted: “Victory gives you a thrill that is difficult to describe, but there is also something marvelous about defeat. Wonderful victories can be born from certain defeats because you unleash the desire for redemption after identifying the mistake. I would even add that winners don’t know what they are missing out on.“

In these Olympic Games, may the athletes discover the glory of trust in the team, the value of a hug not given or of a muffled applause. May we all appreciate the fraternity of those rings united and intertwined. And may the torch of hope be lit, like a sacred fire that will not be extinguished, in our hearts.

Angelus Prayer Pope Francis - 07.25.2021

in other articles: Pope Francis prayed with Grandparents, Girl’s Youth in Brazil fulfill their mission in the midst of the pandemic

Source: vaticannews.va
Photos: www.laityfamilylife.va, Pixabay (Günther Simmermacher and Anncapictures)

July 27, 2021 By Vanessa Franke

Pope Francis prayed with Grandparents

He prayed at the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which was celebrated on July 25th.

The motto proposed for this new day of remembrance is "I am with you always" (cf. Mt 28:20). Therefore, it is encouraged that, from now on, this world day, which has been scheduled around the day commemorating Jesus' grandparents, Saints Anne and Joachim, be celebrated always on the fourth Sunday of July.

Vatican City
July 27, 2021

Grandparents’ feast

On the occasion of the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Archbishop Dr. Heiner Koch, chairman of the Commission for Marriage and Family of the German Bishops’ Conference, encouraged everyone to translate this celebration into concrete activities. Therefore, the Archbishop of Berlin, encouraged different generations to get together on this day to share stories and experiences. He further emphasized that older people carry with them a treasure of life experiences and faith that is worth sharing and keeping alive for the next generations, their grandchildren. Archbishop Koch’s proposal for parish pastoral workers is especially relevant. He suggests that they “summon and invite grandparents and the elderly to write down stories of their life and faith experience, collect them and publish them on their parish’s website” so that they can also contribute to the exchange.

Receiving a visit from an angel

In his message Pope Francis was very specific when he explains that the meaning of this World Day, after the long period of isolation we have been through, is that all grandparents, all the elderly receive a visit from an angel. “Sometimes these angels will have the face of our grandchildren, sometimes that of relatives, of good and old friends, or of people we have just met in these difficult moments.”

For its part, the Dicastery will grant the youth who visit their grandparents the plenary indulgence established by the decree from the Apostolic Penitentiary, and it could be an opportunity to watch together the Holy Father’s message or recite together the prayer that was presented on video and can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/elderly2021.

The official prayer

I thank You, Lord,
for the comfort of Your presence:
even in times of loneliness,
You are my hope and my confidence,
You have been my rock and my fortress since my youth!

I thank You for having given me a family
and for having blessed me with a long life.
I thank You for moments of joy and difficulty,
for the dreams that have already come true in my life and for
those that are still ahead of me.
I thank You for this time of renewed fruitfulness to which You
call me.

Increase, O Lord, my faith,
make me an instrument of your peace,
teach me to embrace those who suffer more than me,
to never stop dreaming
and to tell of your wonders to new generations.

Protect and guide Pope Francis and the Church,
that the light of the Gospel might reach the ends of the Earth.
Send Your Spirit, O Lord, to renew the world,
that the storm of the pandemic might be calmed,
the poor consoled and wars ended.

Sustain me in weakness
and help me to live life to the fullest
in each moment that You give me,
in the certainty that you are with me every day,
even until the end of times.
Amen.

More information:

Pope Francis’ message on the 1st World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (pdf).
(Source: Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life- website).

Source: vaticannews.va
Photos: vatican.va, cathopic.com

July 23, 2021 By Vanessa Franke

Gabriel Oberle to be ordained deacon: like a child in the hands of God

Like a child in the hands of God:
Gabriel Oberle to be ordained deacon

The Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers will celebrate this Saturday, July 24, at 10:00 am, the deacon ordination of seminarian Gabriel Felipe Oberle. Let us pray for Gabriel, for his vocation and for his new mission.

The Holy Mass will be presided by Monsignor Carlos Silva, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of São Paulo, at the Sion Shrine in Jaraguá.

Karen Bueno
July 23, 2021

Who is Gabriel, the soon to be deacon?

Gabriel was born in Londrina and chose as the motto for this deacon ordination the phrase: “The child grew up and became strong, full of wisdom. And the grace of God was with him” (Lk 2:40).

The ceremony will be limited to a small group of family and friends due to the pandemic, even though everyone is invited to follow the celebration on July 24, 2021, at 10 a.m. (local time), through the Sion Shrine’s Youtube channel.

What follows is the interesting interview with Gabriel, in which he talks about this very special moment for the Schoenstatt family:

How did you get to know the Schoenstatt Fathers’ community and what prompted you to immerse yourself in this journey?

I had visited the Schoenstatt Shrine in Londrina with my parents since I was a child, but I did not know the Schoenstatt Movement. In 2008, a friend invited me to participate in the Covenant Circle to make a consecration to the Blessed Virgin, which I sealed on July 5th of that same year. A week before the Covenant, I was invited to take part in the University Missions that took place at the end of that same month. Since then, I began to participate in the Boys’ Youth (JUMAS) and a friendship with the Fathers and seminarians of Londrina was born.

I have always participated actively in the parish. So, the vocational issue was not something new for me, and it was also present when I joined the Boy’s Youth. I think that the casualness and friendship with the Fathers led me to go back to that question, and begin a new course of answers.

For you, why is it worthwhile to choose to be a priest?

I think it is worthwhile to accept the option that God has for us. Our life is in His hands, we just need to recognize it. God called me to the priesthood so that I could be happy and bring Christ to others, and I accepted that call. If I look at the story of my life, I can find many moments in which Mary was present by my side and helped me to find happiness. At the same time, I can recognize that my whole life journey was a path seeking happiness next to God.

When we look at our life as a journey of happiness, reality finds its true meaning.

Therefore, more than thinking about whether it was worthwhile to choose to become a priest, I believe that it is worthwhile to give my life to the path to which God has called me. This way, I can be happier and bring Christ to the people he places along my path.

“The child grew and became strong, full of wisdom. And the grace of God was with him” (Lk 2:40).

Why did you choose this motto for your deacon ordination and what do you expect from it for this ministry?

The ordination motto came through the same way, surrendering myself to God’s will. It was a journey of recognizing myself as a child in God’s hands.

During the ordination retreat with my course brothers, I found a picture in a book that caught my attention. It was a picture by Brother Roger (founder of the Taizé Community) of a child with a small plane in his hands. I kept that image in mind, but I changed the plane for a paper boat, a symbol that has been with me for many years. The little paper boat reminds me of that same surrender in the hands of the craftsman, it reminds me of the history I have written on paper, it reminds me of my frailties, it reminds me of the importance of art, etc. This is how that little paper boat in the hands of that child managed to represent several personal elements.

The second step was the one that led me to the motto. With the image of the child with the little boat already assembled, I got closer and closer to the image of the child Jesus, who learns to walk with Joseph and Mary, who plays in the garden at home, who helps Joseph in the carpenter’s shop, who runs to ask Mary for bread. A Jesus who grew up like any other child, who went through a whole journey of discoveries and development. I then looked for this verse which represents in a few words all that process that Jesus went through with the Grace of God.

Finally, I always trusted that I have a Guardian Angel who accompanies and protects me. Since my name is Gabriel, in a way the image of the Archangel Gabriel has always been present for me in God’s grace, I believe that I grew up with the presence of my Guardian Angel by my side. That is why I have chosen the prayer of the Holy Angel for this special moment in my life.

Photos: cathopic, schoenstatt.org.br.

July 23, 2021 By Vanessa Franke

Mario Hiriart, a life of heroic sanctity

Mario Hiriart,
a life of heroic sanctity

On July 23 we celebrate the birthday of the Venerable Servant of God, Mario Hiriart, a life of heroic sanctity. Mario was born in Santiago, Chile in 1931. This year he would have been 90 years old.

He was an outstanding Schoenstatt professional, consecrated as a Brother of Mary, who suffered from an illness that would accompany him throughout his life.

Fr. Eduardo Aguirre
July 23, 2021

His life’s journey: heroic sanctity

From the moment Mario came into contact with Schoenstatt, at the age of 16, he committed himself consistently and with fidelity. From then on, he began a serious evolvement in his religious life, identifying himself increasingly with Schoenstatt’s ideals. In his first annotations written in his personal notebook, which he began to write in 1948 and kept until his death, he already clearly expressed his serious aspiration for sanctity.

“In order to do good, I need a basis, a foundation: spiritual life. To give glory to God I need to have prepared myself for this task; this preparation implies a spiritual achievement that allows me to stand above the environment I wish to influence; I must therefore sanctify myself. To sanctify myself I must intensify the fulfillment of my duties as a student, since the primary obligation of every Catholic is the exact fulfillment of his present duties. The faithful accomplishment of one’s professional duties must be offered to God as a sacrifice made for His glory and for the love of Him.”

Instrument in the hands of the Blessed Mother

Mario consecrated himself as a layman with the Brothers of Mary, as an instrument in the hands of the Blessed Mother. Gradually, Mario came to identify himself completely with Schoenstatt, with its spirituality and ideals, discovering in it his journey of faith, his way of participating in the life of the Church and his commitment as a Christian in the midst of the world.

As he participated in and assimilated Father Kentenich’s teachings, he became one of the founders of Schoenstatt in Chile where he was a member of the first youth group that emerged in Bellavista and one of its most determined, enthusiastic, and consistent leaders.

Schoenstatt, my whole world

As he learned more about Schoenstatt’s spirituality and pedagogy, his admiration for the Founding Father, Father Kentenich, grew. In 1957 he wrote in his diary:

“Today is October 18, my tenth October 18 as a Schoenstatter. It has been10 years of a total transformation of my whole life. Dear Mother, I do not believe that it is a simple evolution resulting from the end of adolescence: I believe I can say that I discovered myself in these years, that I discovered why I exist, that I found the reason for my life. Yes, dear Mother, that’s it. Before knowing Schoenstatt, the reason for my life seemed to be to read and study, but now, dear Mother, everything is so different!

These 10 years have uncovered a whole new world for me. I think I can say with complete honesty that Schoenstatt has become my whole world, an immense and marvelous world, from which I live and for which I live. My whole life, dear Mother, now has no sense without the little chapel, without you in it, our Covenant of Love, our Father Kentenich, the whole Family. I have found people who have given me a supernatural human love, I have found parents, brothers, sisters, I have found peace in moments of uneasiness. Dear Mother, I have been happy there because I have had all this being with you. Therefore, dear Mother, today I want to renew my Covenant of Love with you in your Shrine”.

Other quotes from his journal

On April 18, 1957, he wrote:

“Dear Mother, regarding the renewal of my consecration, which I will make immediately (exactly at midnight on Holy Thursday), I want to give it the character of an Act of personal Loyalty to Father Kentenich”.

And later, on January 3, 1958:

“… (I see the) need of being completely attached to Father Kentenich as the only way to bring about Schoenstatt in us, which he embodies. My dear Mother, you know how my attachment to him has increased in the last few years. I understand perfectly that he is the father of the Family, and that every member of the Family who wants to live it to the fullest has to be like him. The only way to be a true Schoenstatter is to assimilate oneself to the model of a Schoenstatt lifestyle, which is our Father and Founder.

That is also why it is necessary to create a vital personal relationship with him, because one can only imitate what one knows and loves. Therefore, it is fundamental for us to know and love Father Kentenich intensely, to establish with him the deepest vital relationship possible”.

From Bellavista, on July 8, 1956, Mario wrote to Father Kentenich:

“Dear Founding Father: The path of my vocation, as I see it today, was my personal conviction that Christianity in our time imperatively demands an extraordinary degree of lay sanctity. This lay sanctity must be translated into a determined vocation to a profession and a mission in the lay world, upheld by a perfectly Christian and theocentric conception of the lay life and carried out with a heroism equal to or even greater than that of the greatest martyrs of the Church. The lay state of life must also be an ordinary way of sanctification.”

Mario Hiriart died of cancer in Milwaukee, USA, on July 15, 1964, where Father Joseph Kentenich, upon visiting him, gave him the last rites. His remains rest behind the Schoenstatt Shrine in Bellavista, Santiago, Chile.

Fr. Eduardo Aguirre, Postulator – Rome, July 2021

Related video (in spanish): ⇒Mario Hiriart, un video que tocará tu corazón

July 18, 2021 By Sr. M. Cacilda Becker

Capital of Grace and serious aspiration for holiness

How much is your contribution
to the Capital of Grace worth?

The value of each sacrifice we offer to the Blessed Mother so that her graces may bear fruit from the Shrine

By Sister M. Nilza Silva
July 18, 2021

Our place of grace -the Shrine- supposes a collaboration between God and us, between the Virgin and us. That is why, those of us in the Movement who want to further our participation in it, must never desist. This is the permanent imperative: Cooperation!

Have you ever wondered how much a small offering to the Capital of Grace is worth? How about two offerings? How about three? Little by little we can fill a basket and help the MTA in her mission from the Shrine. What follows is Father Kentenich’s reflections on this topic.

Nothing without me

Father Kentenich’s reflection:

Nothing happens in Schoenstatt without me; in other words, the current of grace cannot grow and flow without me. When we talk about the contributions to the Capital of Grace this is exactly what we are talking about. All of us have this task.

The more religious we are, the clearer it becomes that things depend on God; and regarding my offerings, not on the actions I take, but on the degree of love I put into them. If I am sick and I have a great love for God, how much will I be able to offer to the Capital of Grace and how much will I get in return? In this way, the individual activity is oriented towards the heavens.

This is mentioned in the Founding Document: Schoenstatt ceases to be a place of pilgrimage, and ceases to carry its mission in this world, when there are no new contributions to the Capital of Grace, when the contributions made are spent and there are no new contributions being offered.

I still remember well when we said: We don’t want the Blessed Mother to act without us, we want to attract her, make her descend in virtue of intense apostolic activity. We believe that our Founding Document was signed in heaven.

When we get to Eternity, we will know who has served the Movement the most, and perhaps we will have a very different picture of reality from what we currently see. This world appreciates more those who are in the forefront. There are always leaders, some who talk constantly but they are not always the most needed. I am convinced that deep down, there is a multitude of simple individuals without whom Schoenstatt could not exist. The most needed and most important are those who constantly and in the greatest measure give offerings to the Capital of Grace, who unite the current of their heart and blood with the current of heart and blood of the Capital of Grace.

Capital of grace — Foto: Pedro Dillinger

God expects personal saintliness from us. The Blessed Mother asks of us personally, not in general, a high degree of holiness, a strong aspiration to holiness. In virtue of this aspiration of ours, we will make her descend. A precious stone is worth more than a whole mountain of ordinary stones. If the Family does not generate such persons, what do we expect from Schoenstatt? Schoenstatt depends for its existence on a serious aspiration for holiness. Other places of pilgrimage can do without it. Schoenstatt, on the other hand, depends on people who truly aspire to holiness and connect that aspiration to our Shrine.

This is how the mystery of Schoenstatt is presented to us: the Blessed Mother’s universal fruitfulness stems from the forces of divine grace, which act freely. We admire the generosity of divine grace.

Do you think that I attribute everything that was done here to personal endeavors? No! I will explain it with an example: a child wants to help his mother carry the laundry basket. The child wants to help her and puts his little hands and his whole body in the basket. He wants to have the honor of helping his mother. And the poor mother must carry not only the basket, but also the child.

A powerful current of graces flows from this place, we can collaborate with it, but without thinking that everything has been achieved by virtue of our actions alone.

Father Joseph Kentenich, Christmas Day Conference, Schoenstatt December 28, 1933

Book: His mission, our mission, Peter Wolf editor

Source: www.schoenstatt.org.br