Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement

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Ecuador: National pilgrimage that brings back hope

Ecuador:
National pilgrimage
that brings back hope

Youth who carried the 2014 Jubilee torch and Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cabrera, graces spread throughout Ecuador

Margarita Gómez-Lince - League of Families
May 20, 2021

In a small country of South America called Ecuador, in the city of Guayaquil, just like every year, the pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt, “Family of the Father, home for the world” took place on Saturday, May 8. It was the 43rd pilgrimage, with a virtual format for the second time, due to the pandemic. Even though we could not be at the Shrine in person, the Blessed Virgin made us feel her love and our hearts felt connected.

There were several months of enthusiastic preparations under the inspiration of this year’s motto: “Mary, light of hope” since she can give us light in these times of darkness and hope in the midst of trial. There is no doubt that the world is going through dark times, but she is the great signal. She works miracles! 

We originally wanted to make a semi-present pilgrimage, that is, maintaining the virtual format of the previous year, but including physical presence according to the allowed capacity, a number of people invited from various parishes of the Archdiocese, as representatives of the people of God, of the Church. However, we had to change our plans due to the new wave of Covid that emerged in our country and for which a complete lockdown was decreed on weekends during the month of May.

What would happen to our semi-present pilgrimage on the second Saturday in May, as is tradition on the eve of Mother’s Day?

The entire program had to be moved up to be pre-recorded. The Holy Mass at the foot of the Shrine was presided by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, Monsignor Luis Cabrera. Despite his busy schedule, the Blessed Mother opened doors and the program was recorded 10 days before. Great efforts were made, all the details were coordinated, and additional obstacles were overcome, all for the glory of God. Monsignor Cabrera had expressed a few days before that the Schoenstatt Shrine is his favorite place in Guayaquil.

The agenda for the pilgrimage was wonderful. It began at 5:00 a.m. with songs. At 5:15 a.m. there was a relay run with the Jubilee torch by the Boys’ and Girls’ Youth. This run of approximately 15 km. consisted of the runners passing the torch used in the race to the Original Shrine held in 2014 to each other. The youth chose this activity since the torch carries the fire present in their hearts and the light of hope. It began in the southern part of the city of Guayaquil, in a house located on Cuenca Street where the first Schoenstatt youth of Ecuador met in the 1960’s, and it ended in the National Shrine, giving a formal beginning to these heavenly moments that we experienced virtually during the vigil. The dawn of Saturday the 8th welcomed us with the prayer of the Holy Rosary, followed by the celebration of Mass and then the entrance of the Archbishop to the Shrine, representing all the virtual pilgrims. The Shrine of our Blessed Mother was adorned with beautiful flowers forming a beautiful garden at the feet of our Queen and her Son.

The Blessed Mother did not want to stay still in her throne of grace. After the virtual pilgrimage, the picture of the Pilgrim MTA, carried by Father Eduardo Auza and Sister Norma Vera, flew in a helicopter over Guayaquil’s skies for more than an hour, following a “route of health”, over all the hospitals and churches of the city, giving blessings along with Jesus to all his children who are sick because of the pandemic.

Thanks to the virtual world, the Blessed Mother opened the frontiers and gathered us with the faithful from different cities in the country and with the Schoenstatt Family from several other countries, most of them from Latin America. 

The virtual transmission was made through the social networks of the Movement in Ecuador, but we also received the support from the Archdiocese of Guayaquil’s network, Mary’s Voice Radio station, RTS television channel, FIDES online and Santiago de Guayaquil Catholic University’s TV channel.  Combining our strength, we were able to make thousands benefit from the graces of the National Shrine that, in its jubilee year for its 50 years of blessing, does great honor to its name: Family of the Father, Home for the World!

 

 

Fotos: Schoenstatt Ecuador

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Ándale, María: Woman, acknowledge your greatness and dignity (FJK)

Ándale, María:
Woman, acknowledge your greatness and dignity (FJK)

Event organized by women in Monterrey who want to help other women to take a break in their hectic lives so that they can give themselves a time for reflection that may help them find themselves.

Martha Helena Sánchez Vera
24 April 2021
Facebook Ándale María

Several days ago, the first ever virtual “Ándale María” took place. There had been four previous editions in person. This is an event organized by courageous and dedicated women in Monterrey who want to help other women take a break in their hectic lives so that they can give themselves a time for reflection that may help them find themselves, accept themselves, and love themselves in their complexities.

As women we tend to overthink everything, pour ourselves to others, take care of everyone, the family, friends, work, home, etc. We are great multitaskers and sometimes, we tend to forget ourselves in the process, overburden ourselves with multiple responsibilities, wear ourselves out, feel fatigued and that we are living only for others; or, on the other hand, we may become self-absorbed and enclosed in our world, in our troubles, problems and concerns. Even when we have already worked on these issues and learned to overcome them, new situations arise daily that put us to the test again.

“Ándale María” consists of four workshops: “Mary, Stop”, “Mary, Forgive Yourself”, “Mary, Find Yourself” and “Mary, Love Yourself”. These are gifts we give ourselves, dedicating time to learn through simple, practical, and effective techniques based on Schoenstatt’s spirituality, to confront the demands in our daily life as well as the great challenges and mishaps that we face through our life.

Many women from different places connected virtually, thus experiencing the “Ándale María” for the first time. Thanks to the usefulness of the workshops, we were able to live them and apply them to our present-day reality and situation. We learn to walk by walking. It was a great challenge for the organizing team to make the workshops in a virtual way without the exchanges we have previously experienced when they were done in person.  Nevertheless, we were given the tools to work on ourselves, to take that first step. It is up to each one of us to keep taking the following steps.

Facebook Ándale María

With the Holy Spirit’s aid, each one of us was enlightened in a particular situation. We could attest to this when we were given the opportunity to do so during the event.  For some of us it was realizing that we carry very heavy stones in our sack daily, others realized they had gotten rid of the stones but were starting to fill the sack again, or were reluctant to let it go, still clinging to it.  In every case it is necessary to let go of the burden, let go of that which we are carrying so that we can find ourselves, our essence, our center, that which makes us unique and original. Is it possible to love ourselves if we do not know ourselves, if we do not forgive ourselves? And how can we love ourselves if we do not recognize ourselves mainly as God’s loved daughters?

Stop, Mary, that is what God is telling us. He wants to speak to us, and this workshop teaches us how to stop in our day to day for a few minutes and listen to Him and respond to Him. He is interested in every single detail of our life, from the great joys to the greatest suffering, to the simple encounters, to the tiniest details of our daily life.  We were taught in a simple way how to achieve this exchange daily. A most precious gift!

Facebook Ándale María

We also had a panel of simple and courageous women, just like us, who gave their testimonials.  They told us that through forgiveness, through making a pause in their lives to find themselves, find their strength, discover their dignity so they could love themselves and give the best of themselves, they have been able to face diverse situations and life stories that God has allowed in their lives. They have found peace and joy by accepting themselves, accepting their circumstances, and accepting God’s will.

They opened their hearts to us and through this, we could see that all of us women have a valuable testimony to give and, even though not all of us did at the time, we were encouraged to open our hearts. To look for and find the treasure each one of us holds in our life experiences, our personal history, our day-to-day commitment. They encouraged us to get rid of the heavy sack we have been carrying and focus our energies in caring for that treasure, polishing it, dusting it, making it shiny to share with everyone around us.

God is good and so is everything He does.  “Ándale María, trust in Him! Stop! Forgive yourself! Find yourself! Love yourself!

Love and give thanks for your life, for being who you are, with your gifts, strengths, and limitations.  Accept God’s will, always with joy and hope. If you have the opportunity, sign up for the next “Ándale, María”!

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Profound missionary experience in Mexico, the virtual way

Profound missionary experience in Mexico, the virtual way


This year, the Mexico Light of Mary missions were completely transformed. God was allowed to be God so it was left to Him to carry out everything, thus gathering the fruits of the mission, enlivening the fire of his love and, above all, recognizing that He is the one who lives in us.
Ana Regina Torres Garza - 20 April 2021

And then we were faced with a pandemic that changed our daily routine, where we are learning to love and embrace what is closest to us.  Let’s look at this as a gift since the mission was not cancelled; it simply moved to another place which was in dire need of receiving the mission: home. That is why this year the Mexico Light of Mary missions made a 180 degree turn at the national level creating a national Capital of Grace which united the four participating states: Monterrey, Chihuahua, St Luis Potosi and Queretaro. A virtual Holy Hour was held as well as a national sending out mass, uniting us all in spirit, being one body and one soul, thus carrying out Christ’s mission.

Smaller national activities were held which added to each missionary’s spiritual enrichment and each Mexican state held specific activities so that the mission could also have a local approach.  There were national as well as international testimonials given during the Holy Week.

“I make all things new” (AP 21:5) 

With these “Mexico Light of Mary” missions, Christ gave life to these words as our concept of missions was completely transformed.  We thought that the mission was 12 hours away from us but, through the intimate encounter we experienced with God in the past days, we discovered that an apostle’s mission lies in God’s heart desires.  Just as Mary did, willingly and courageously, we uttered that “let it be done” which forges a sacred story.  An apostle reacts with fidelity and obedience to the Father’s calling.  Those words pronounced by Jeremiah, “for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee” (Jer 1:7), are still being proclaimed in our hearts.

This year we were called to sail out to sea, where our heart had a profound encounter with Jesus, our friend, and found there the true spirit and passion of the mission which is shared in daily life.

In Monterrey, this sailing out to sea, to the inner self, was lived through testimonials of life with Christ that were shared daily, shared masses, encounters with our fraternity, where we allowed the Holy Spirit to breathe in our hearts, as well as all the Holy Week services that we shared as a Schoenstatt Family.  These were the gifts and graces were spilled by God for the Mexico Light of Mary missionaries.

This mission has truly revealed out loud that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1Cor 2:9)

With a heart full of joy and wonder we can say that these holy days God opened new ways to be missionaries, made all things new and did not cease to surprise us with his immense love, calling us to be bearers of hope so that Mexico can become the Light of Mary.

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Portugal: Recycled wood and plastic for rosaries at World Youth Day 2023

Portugal: Recycled wood and plastic for rosaries at World Youth Day 2023

The rosaries will be available for sale starting on April 15, but they can be reserved through each diocesan organizing committee for the World Youth Day Lisbon 2023. On May 1st there will be a moment of prayer online for all the youth in Portugal. Together with the rosary, there will also be a pamphlet with the rosary mysteries inviting all to join in prayer.

Isabela Piro
April 12th. 2021

The World Youth Day which will be celebrated in 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal is paying attention to the protection of the environment: that’s why, during the past few days, in view of the month of May (Marian month par excellence), the official rosary of the event was made according to ecological standards.

The organizers explained that the rosary “will be available in three different styles and challenges the youth to give voice to the people of Portugal’s spirituality in their devotion to the Blessed Virgin”.  Two special versions have been designed, one is made of wood and the other one is made of 100% recycled plastic, both with the World Youth Day cross and the theme of the event, “Mary rose up and left with haste” (Luke 1:39).

Handmade rosaries made in Fatima

In the five beads corresponding to the “Our Father” the words “WYD Lisbon 2023” are inscribed in the official languages (Portuguese, Spanish, English, French and Italian). The third style is the basic style made of wood with the WYD cross.  The rosaries were assembled by hand in a factory located in Fatima.  For the first plastic stock approximately 175,000 bottle caps were recycled. The packaging was also made from recycled cardboard and it uses inclusive language – Braille for the blind and symbols for those with reading difficulties- so that the World Youth Day will in fact be “a meeting of everyone for everyone”.

 

The rosaries will be available for sale starting on April 15, but they can be reserved through each diocesan organizing committee for the World Youth Day Lisbon 2023. On May 1st there will be a moment of prayer online for all the youth in Portugal. Together with the rosary, there will also be a pamphlet with the rosary mysteries inviting all to join in prayer.

Written in light of the World Youth Day theme, the meditations are presented as a path of spiritual formation.  In the online version, the meditations will be accompanied by a special proposal titled “The Mysteries of the WYD”, which challenges the youth to “welcome Jesus into their lives, walk with him, follow his steps, showing everyone the joy of believing and living”. In May, “The Mysteries of the WYD” will also be available on the web in audio version and sign language.

Portugal and its strong Marian tradition

“Just like Mary went on her way to Isabel’s house -wrote Lisbon’s Patriarch, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, in his introduction to the meditations-, we are also on our way to 2023.  Along with Mary, we carry Jesus who wants to reach many through us. That’s why praying the Rosary is so important”. “In a country with such a strong Marian tradition as Portugal – stated Monsignor Americo Aguiar, auxiliary bishop of Lisbon and president of the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation- the rosary had to be one of the defining elements of the World Youth Day”.

“Praying the rosary -he adds- is one of the universal characteristics of the WYD. Therefore, we wanted an easy to use and simple tool, but strong in its inclusivity and sustainability intentions”.

Preparations for the WYD

Meanwhile, the preparations for the WYD continue in the dioceses: for example, the diocese of Oporto has launched an initiative “Wake up for the mission”. It is an invitation for every young person (together with his family or catechesis group) to analyze a continent and choose a symbol, an image, a picture, any detail or important personality who will tell their story from a Christian and missionary point of view.

The material collected should be prepared as a presentation that can be written, videotaped, choreographed or drawn and will be published on April 23rd. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage the youth to “travel the world in an ideal way and open their hearts to fraternity”- explained the organizers.

 

Source: Vatican News

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Serving the light within her

Serving the light within her

March 25, day of the Annunciation. Mary, a woman of faith, full of the Holy Spirit who accepts God's will and gives Jesus' light to the world.

Sister M. Lourdes Macías Graue
25 March 2021

Every year we celebrate with joy the feast of the Annunciation, where we relive when Mary, recognizing the great gift that God gives her of being the mother of his son, listens to the message, closes her eyes, internalizes it and, opening her eyes, pronounces her “Yes, I do”.

Through her acceptance she opens herself totally to God’s will and assumes her mission to serve the Light within her. 

God, who has called Mary by her name because he knows her personally, can entrust to her the greatest treasure He possesses, his own son. 

For this reason, the angel’s Annunciation to Mary is one of the most contemplated and meditated mysteries. It incorporates both the love of God for Mary (and in her for all mankind) and the love of Mary (and, along with her, the love of all mankind) for God our Lord.

Mary’s “I do” is a calling and a response, revelation and acceptance, choice and responsibility, mission and commitment.

To live is to be called and loved by someone for something, for a mission. Every man and every woman are created in the heart of God to fulfill His eternal plan and their journey through life should be the realization of God’s dream in history. The call is clear, certain, and constant. And the answer?

Following Mary’s example, many people, men and women, have decided to follow God’s call and serve the one who is the light, Christ. 

We can say that the call to Mary through the angel is indicative of God’s actions towards man. We can observe this mainly in these three characteristics:

First, we could say that God has a preference for the humble, the insignificant, the simple. That is why he chooses Mary, the handmaid of the Lord. She is humble because she knows the infinite gap there is between God and her. Mary feels she is a simple and insignificant daughter of her people. That is why she is troubled when the angel greets her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

es.aleteia.org

A second characteristic: For the truly great events in history and in our lives, God does not choose the turmoil and turbulence of the world, but rather chooses isolation and serenity. The greatest moments are often the most peaceful and unseen. This is also true for this unique encounter between heaven and earth: it takes place in the privacy and peace of Mary’s house, ignored by the world.

 

As a third point, the Annunciation reveals to us that God takes man and his freedom seriously. That is why he does not want to carry out his plans of salvation without man’s free collaboration and consent.

In the Gospel scene, God’s respect for the dignity and freedom of human beings is remarkably expressed. God gives Mary the possibility of accepting or rejecting her mission. God places humanity’s destiny in the hands of this humble virgin.

Mary’s response at this decisive hour is an example for all of us: “Yes, I will, let it be done to me according to your word”. She accepts, even though she does not see or understand. This is why the most extraordinary thing about Mary at the hour of the Annunciation is her faith.