What is the most precious inheritance that a generation can leave to its descendants? Fr. Joseph Kentenich answered this in the first founding document: “(…) Undoubtedly, we could not accomplish a greater apostolic deed nor leave our successors a more precious legacy than to urge our Lady and Queen to erect her throne here in a special way, to distribute her treasures, and to work miracles of grace.”
As of September 8, 2024, the “here” is also the city of Maringá, in the state of Paraná (Brazil), which now houses the 24th daughter shrine of the Mother Thrice Admirable Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt in the country.
On a day when the words “heaven has touched earth” were heard everywhere, the blessing of the Shrine of God marked the conquest of 25 years for the Schoenstatt Family of Maringá, who accepted the title of “founding generation” with hope and love during the entire construction period.
It all began with a dream…
Severino Clasen, Archbishop of Maringá, presided at the Holy Mass and began his homily by comparing the Shrine, such a small chapel, with our heart, which is also small, but which does something quite mysterious: it generates life, prompting it to never be extinguished before the great mystery which is God.
And it is from this life-generating action that the Blessed Mother attracted the young hearts of the Family of Maringá, who were able to dream and long for a new throne of graces for her. Solange Borges, a member of the Schoenstatt Family Association of Maringá, tells us how she was drawn:
“I remember that the first time I went it was very different. My husband Edson and I went to take our daughter Isabella to sell chocolates for the Girls’ Youth. It was lunchtime and I saw all those people working with so much love that this remained in my heart”. The visits to the site became more and more frequent and, gradually, the Blessed Mother brought us closer and planted the dream of a Shrine in our hearts. Every time we visited a Shrine in another city, I wondered what “ours” would be like and it seemed so far away because of all the difficulties. There were innumerable Masses, rosaries, celebrations of the Covenant of Love, Homeshrine consecrations, prayers of the thousand Hail Marys, offerings to the Capital of Grace, missions, experiences, encounters and promotions that the Schoenstatt Family of Maringá offered until we were able to reach this day when we could offer the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt the Shrine that she deserves”.
Thousands of people participated
The dedication Mass gathered about 4500 faithful from all over Brazil and even from other countries. Branches and communities of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement were present and shared the joy of the foundation of a new Shrine.
Nathalia Macedo, from the Girls’ Youth of Maringá, commented: “Seeing thousands of people gathered with one sole purpose makes me think that the Blessed Mother chose to be there. The time had come for Maringá to be her home forever. Now we have our Shrine, the Shrine of Maringá. Of all the many different feelings, the greatest of all was happiness: happy to see the Shrine, happy that so many people experienced the journey, happy to have participated and happy to belong to Schoenstatt.”
One of the most touching and awaited moments of the ceremony was the triumphal entrance of the image of the Mother of God, who marched towards her definitive home accompanied by the Magnificat. One thing was certain: the sun shining at almost 37°C was not stronger than the burning hearts of the people who longed to live that moment.
In addition to all the excitement, the Shrine of Maringá also fostered concrete actions. The offerings to the Capital of Grace through the campaign “The Shrine will emerge, from where the spirit as well as the neighbor are fed” collected more than five tons of food, which were donated all over the country to institutions, social projects and charitable works.
The new Shrine is located at Avenida Pioneiro Antônio Fernandes Maciel, 1365, Jardim Paraiso, Maringá/PR, 87053-018 (click to see the location on Google Maps).
Translation: Maribel Acaron
