Last weekend, September 1st to 3rd, representatives from all the branches and communities of Schoenstatt Mexico gathered around the Faithful Heart of the Church Shrine in the city of Querétaro to participate in the National Leaders’ Conference 2023.
It is always a great joy for us to get together to update and share on the topics that are of interest to all of us as a Schoenstatt Family.
Faithful to Father’s mission
The motto for this Journey was “Faithful to Father’s mission”, which is part of our national ideal. For this reason, one of the topics we worked on was leadership according to Father Kentenich’s charism. Javier and Carmen Guzman, representatives of the Family Federation, gave a pleasant and interesting talk on this topic, where even Father Kentenich spoke to the attendees, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence. We were also able to listen via zoom to Lourdes and Jaime Ortiz, a couple from Schoenstatt Paraguay, who inspired us with their testimony about their experience of leadership as lay advisors who are already part of the Movement in that country.
During another moment we were divided into work groups in which ladies, young women and young men, professionals, couples, Sisters of Mary, Schoenstatt Fathers and diocesan priests, members of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, of the Federation and of the Institute of Families participated and we were able to discuss what we consider to be a Schoenstatt leader and a lay advisor. We also discussed areas of opportunity and how we can look forward in this regard.
Important news: which Shrine will be the National Schoenstatt Shrine in Mexico?
The big news was that the Shrine of Queretaro “Faithful Heart of the Church” will be officially named “National Shrine”. The Sisters of Mary told us about the origin of this Shrine and many of the graces that have been bestowed through it.
Youth Leadership
The youth oversaw the Friday night adoration, in which, while we accompanied Jesus, they had us reflect on different phrases that Pope Francis mentioned at the WYD held last month in Lisbon.
On Saturday we participated in a beautiful Mass celebrated by our advisory priests, and in an activity held in the Shrine, organized by the Family Branch of Querétaro. These three moments framed the day spiritually and in a special way.
Three key points to work on in Mexico
The key points to work on this coming year are as follows:
1. To continue growing as a Family in Mexico and therefore attend the need to have well-trained lay advisors who will be a valuable asset for our current advisors. This will require opening our hearts.
2. Recognizing ourselves as a “Guadalupana Family, in Covenant, faithful to Father’s mission” we reassert our mission and our commitment so that every corner of Mexico will continue to be Mary’s ground where new men and women will continue to be formed for a new community.
3. Officially naming our National Shrine from where graces and blessings will continue to flow so that we can continue to grow as a Family. This will take place on October 18th and the idea is that all members of the Movement in our country will participate, either in person or virtually in what will be a milestone for Schoenstatt Mexico.
Send off that spreads excitement
On Sunday morning, the sending off rite was conducted by the Family from Monterrey, who motivated us to transmit and take everything we received during the conference to our cities of origin with joy and enthusiasm.
Finally, the official photo and the blessing by the priests from the Shrine had to be taken so that we could return home with a grateful heart and willing to continue working hand in hand with the Blessed Mother for this great Family of Families.