Shrine

October 19, 2021 By Sr. M. Cacilda Becker

Paraguay Shrine – a history of the Blessed Mother with the Guarani people

Paraguay Shrine - a history of the Blessed Mother with the Guarani people

A wonderful story of love between the Blessed Virgin and her Paraguayan people marks the 40th anniversary of the National Schoenstatt Shrine in Paraguay.

Arturo Zarratea | 10.19.2021

“Tupãrenda” in the Guarani language means “God’s dwelling”.

Miracles exist in Schoenstatt, and we call them miracles of transformation. The sites of our Original Shrine and those of the daughter shrines are conquered by Schoenstatt’s family, by means of the capital of grace, the voluntary surrender of small sacrifices and the joys that stone by stone built them.

We do not believe in coincidences. Just as our Original Shrine was in the Schoenstatt Valley, which means “beautiful place”, the first shrine conquered in Paraguay exactly 40 years ago was built in a place that, before being acquired and conquered, already bore the name of “Tupãrenda”, which in the Guarani language means “God’s dwelling”. Was there a more appropriate name?

We can picture the Paraguayan pioneers together with the three priests who returned to re-found the movement, Father Antonio Cosp, the then Father Claudio Giménez – today Bishop Emeritus of Caacupé – and Father Nicolás Schwizer. We imagine those first families, conquered by the Blessed Mother’s love, visiting sites, praying, burying little medals looking for Her to be the one to decide the place of her future shrine, a shrine that did not yet exist in the country.

Santuario de Paraguay — Foto: Schoenstatt Paraguay

An incredible landscape…

These pioneers arrived in the area of Itauguá, about 34 kilometers from Asunción, and were surprised by the landscape of the place, its hills, its stream with crystalline waters and the peace it transmitted. We imagine that upon hearing the name of the property, more than one of them must have said “this must be the place”.

In 1981 the first daughter shrine was built in Paraguay; the National Shrine of Tupãrenda stood magnificently for those who had dreamt so often of asking the Blessed Mother to establish herself in Guarani lands. The national motto of the movement in Paraguay also has a certain relationship with this place: “God’s country, heart of America”.

For those who do not have the grace of knowing Tuparenda, we can only tell them that this small piece of Schoenstatt abroad, where the Blessed Mother was established 40 years ago, is extremely special for Paraguay: it was the first Shrine, it is the place of pilgrimage for thousands of people on October 18th, and it is the precise place where many of the Paraguayan Schoenstatt members carried out the most intense exchange of hearts that exists, the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother, and this makes it unforgettable.

A day of much prayer and full of life

On Monday, October 18th, Masses were celebrated at different times, as scheduled and in Covid mode. The intention of the morning mass was for Health, presided by Father Oscar Saldívar, rector of the National Shrine of Tupãrenda. Later in the afternoon there was a celebration for the Youth, presided by Fathers Antonio Cosp, Pedro Kühlcke and Cristián Rodríguez. Finally, in the evening we were able to attend the Mass for the Family, presided by Father Martín Gómez Asensio and Father Oscar Saldívar.

Although this year the attendance to the celebration could not be massive, due to the pandemic, the whole Family of Paraguay was represented in the masses. At the end of the Masses, the enthusiastic attendees went on pilgrimage from the Holy Mary of the Trinity Church to the Shrine of Tupãrenda where the capital of grace that had been deposited during the entire novena was burned. Many spiritual offerings were offered to Mary and Jesus, so that Schoenstatt in Paraguay can fulfill its mission for the Church and society.

September 15, 2021 By Vanessa Franke

The Schoenstatt Shrine in Atibaia/Brazil commences its 50th anniversary celebrations

The Schoenstatt Shrine in Atibaia/Brazil
commences its 50th anniversary celebrations.

This celebration marks the return of the pilgrim movement, after the social isolation caused by the pandemic.

Sr. Márcia Maria Gusmão
September 16, 2021

On September 17, 1972, almost 50 years ago, the Blessed Mother chose the city of Atibaia, near São Paulo, to establish herself and create a special place of pilgrimages, devotion, and graces. The fifth Shrine of the Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt in Brazil was created with the mission of “ensuring the permanent presence of the Father” in the hearts of his children.

This sacred place receives more than 150,000 visitors a year from different regions of Brazil. The Golden Jubilee marks, in a special way, the return of the pilgrim movement after this period of social isolation caused by the pandemic.

Sister M. Nelly Mendes is part of the organizing team for the Jubilee and explains the significance of this celebration: “To celebrate 50 years of Our Lady’s work in the Shrine, which annually receives so many pilgrims, is to thank She who accepted the invitation and settled here. She is truly our dear Mother, who is with us at every moment of our life, especially when we experience pain, suffering and loneliness. She is with us, and this renews our hope and joy”.

A call to trust

To illuminate the pilgrims’ pathway and the Schoenstatt Family in this Jubilee, the motto chosen was:

“Father, we trust in you and walk in your presence”

The phrase has its foundation in Holy Scripture: “Walk before me and be blameless!” (Gen. 17:1). Being in the plural form, it is meant to include the family and the community. To walk means to move into the future, into the next 50 years, and provides the answer to times of great challenges: trust. Do not trust in people, but in God, to whom Mary leads us in her Shrine.

This motto also directs us to the person of the founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, who for the Schoenstatt Family is a reflection of the divine fatherhood.

As Schoenstatt Family it is very important to ensure our position, mission, and charism in the Schoenstatt Work according to God’s will. With our testimony of faithfulness, we want to express that we trust in Him and want to continue to walk in His presence to carry Schoenstatt’s mission to future generations.

Plenary Indulgence for those who visit the Shrine

Throughout the Jubilee Year, pilgrims visiting the Schoenstatt Shrine in Atibaia will be able to receive the plenary indulgence. This is, for the Catholic Church, in a simplified form, the total pardon that absolves the sinner from the obligation to fulfill the purification penalties in purgatory after his death.

The Decree issued by Monsignor Sérgio Colombo, Diocesan Bishop of Bragança Paulista/SP, states: “To commemorate the Jubilee year, the grace of plenary indulgence has been granted by the Apostolic Penitentiary to all those who visit the Shrine during this period, as well as to the sick and to all those who cannot be physically present, so that they may benefit from the grace of the indulgence by offering their sufferings to God and fulfilling the practices of piety”.

Jubilee Logo

A contest was held to choose the logo for the Jubilee celebrations. The winner of the contest, designer Sara Daniele Barletta Cardoso, explains the concept for the creation of the logo:

“The logo brings the Schoenstatt Shrine in a stylized version and features the symbol of the Schoenstatt Movement in the official blue and yellow colors.

The geometric tiles refer to the motto ‘Father, we trust in you and walk in your presence’. They form the Jubilee pathway that we want to travel together, bringing many people to the Shrine. The permanent presence of God the Father is represented in his symbol in the Shrine.

Walking is movement, therefore, the Shrine that usually has a solid and geometric format acquired more fluid and curved forms.

The circle that surrounds the Shrine and that forms the number 50 refers to the grace of feeling at home. Our Lady welcomes each pilgrim and leads them to experience God, rich in love and mercy”.

Walking together to transform today’s reality

As a Schoenstatt Family celebrating our Jubilee, we want to transform reality based on a heroic and victorious confidence, a precious inheritance that the Tabor Schoenstatt Family of Brazil received from our Father and Founder during his visits to Brazil.

We invite everyone to prepare and live the golden jubilee of the Tabor Shrine of the Permanent Presence of the Father.

Logo

September 2, 2021 By Vanessa Franke

The International Festival Encounter in Schoenstatt has finally returned

The International Festival Encounter in Schoenstatt
has finally returned

Under the motto "Back at last", the International Festival Encounter was held in Schoenstatt-Vallendar on August 22, 2021, after being suspended last year due to the pandemic. The Pilgrims' Center team, with the support of numerous volunteers, organized this gathering of international celebration.

Sister Janika Trieb
September 2, 2021

A festive international celebration in Schoenstatt

On August 22, the International Festival Encounter was held. It is celebrated every year in Schoenstatt, Vallendar, except for 2020, when it was not held due to the pandemic. The motto of the day was “Back at last”. The Pilgrims’ Center team, with the support of numerous volunteers, uses this festival to bring together people from different cultural backgrounds.

The celebration began with a festive international Mass in the Pilgrims’ Church. More than 200 people were able to participate, respecting the protective measures implemented for the coronavirus. A live transmission made it possible to participate in the celebration from home via YouTube. Various elements expressed the different nationalities of the participants: the entrance with national flags, the readings, the petitions, and the songs in different languages. An African group from Guiné Bissau and Cape Verde sang and danced to the sound of drums during the offertory.

Bishop Jörg Peters, Auxiliary Bishop of Trier, referred to the Gospel in his sermon: Jesus’ tough question to his disciples “Do you also want to leave?” (Jn. 6:67) also applies to us today. Faith challenges us to make a decision. It is not a snap of the fingers. Especially in the face of catastrophes and the threat of pandemics, faith gives us the strength to trust and to acquire renewed hope. In Schoenstatt Bishop Peters often sees a “part of the universal Church”: People from different nations gather here and express their faith and hope in a joyful way. It is important that we are encouraged not to abandon Jesus. Father Lothar Herter, Schoenstatt’s Pilgrimage Director, thanked Bishop Peters for his presence and his words of encouragement.

The weather was a miracle. It was supposed to rain non-stop.

After Mass, Bishop Peters took his time to greet those present. Someone commented afterwards, “That was the first time in my life I have ever spoken to a bishop.” The heavy downpour that fell at the end of the Mass did not prevent the visitors from lingering.

Starting at 1:30 p.m., the afternoon cultural program began outside. Dances and songs from Africa, Brazil, Croatia, Germany, and the Philippines encouraged people to dance in front of the stage. Mrs. S., who helped organize the festival with her African friends, remarked with joy that it had been a long time since they had been able to dance together and that it was finally possible to do it again here in the open air. A children’s playground attracted young families who enjoyed the festival’s fresh pancakes and popcorn.

At the end of the program of the international festival, the visitors received a burning light. With this light, everyone was invited to spiritually carry a person from their circle of acquaintances, who has been particularly affected by the pandemic or a stroke of fate, to the Chapel of Grace. Singing and praying, more than 100 people joined the procession. Father Antonio Bracht, upon arriving at the Original Shrine, prayed in different languages and gave the blessing. Many families and individuals took the opportunity to receive an individual blessing afterwards.

The Mass, including Bishop Peters’ homily in German and the offertory dance, can be accessed via YouTube.

Source: Schoenstatt.de

August 18, 2021 By Sr. M. Cacilda Becker

Docile instruments in the hands of Mary

The piety of the instrument is an essential feature of Schoenstatt spirituality, so we seek to experience profoundly the desire to be instruments in the hands of Mary, who wants to use us as it pleases God, entirely for the Kingdom of Schoenstatt.

By Kennedy Rocha
August 18, 2021

Docile instruments

The word instrument derives from the Latin “instrumentum”, which means tool, garment; and from instruere: to arrange, to provide what is necessary. Its definition is: “simple object or object composed of several parts, which serves to perform a task, take a measurement or make an observation”. In short, an instrument is an object that can be used to perform an activity, simple or complex, according to the will of the user.

When we pray the consecration to Our Lady, we say: “as your property and possession”. We are instruments in Our Lady’s hands, so that she can do with us as she wishes.

There are those who are afraid to put their life in Our Lady’s hands, imagining that she will send suffering and sacrifices, but they forget that “Our Lady takes perfect care of everything”, -Father Kentenich-, and that we have nothing to fear, because she is our Mother and the cause of our joy.

What does it mean to be an instrument?

In Schoenstatt we try to experience deeply the desire to be an instrument in the hands of the Blessed Mother. From the beginnings of the Movement, the Father and Founder already inscribed this charism on his children. On October 18, 1914, in the Founding Document, we already see that this is one of Our Lady’s promises.

She will establish herself in the little chapel;

From there she will distribute gifts and graces in abundance;

She will attract young hearts to her;

She will educate them;

She will transform them into useful instruments;

and with them, while abandoning themselves into her hands, she will set in motion a movement of renewal.

Our Lady promises to transform us into able instruments to the extent that we abandon ourselves into her hands, like children desiring to be educated.

We can identify some properties of the piety of the instrument:

– Total detachment: detachment from one’s own will.

– Total attachment: total surrender to God and to his will.

– High propensity to surrender: untiring drive to conquest.

– Spirit of parousia: to make Mary present and visible; to reflect, to manifest the divine.

– Interior freedom: the perfect instrument will always choose God with interior freedom and joy.

– Rich fruitfulness. The instrument in God’s hand has only one goal: to make room for God and his fruitfulness.

Schoenstatt Heroes

Schoenstatt’s heroes tried to live the meaning of instrumentality to the fullest. We share key phrases from them in this regard:

Fr. Joseph Kentenich – “We are not dead instruments, but act of our own free will.”

Joao Luiz Pozzobon – “Use me, dear Mother, for the good of the Church and for the renewal of families”.

Gertraud von Bullion – “I want to serve!”

Joseph Engling – “I want to be everything for everyone and to be Mary’s exclusive property.”

Mario Hiriart – “I am an engineer, I have been planning all my life. Now the roles are changing. I know that now I must let the Father be the one to design the plans, I must only fulfill his will”.

Blessed Charles Leisner – “Lead me to your Light, Lord, almighty God. I solemnly promise to be your instrument.”

As your entire property

Let us also seek instrumentality as a way of life. Like Jesus, may our greatest nourishment be to do the will of the Father. Like Mary, may we too proclaim:

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done unto me according to your word.”

“Mother Thrice Admirable,

let us always be your instruments,

lovingly giving ourselves in your service

today and forever.

Use us as it pleases God,

entirely for your Schoenstatt world.” [1]

Turn towards Mary, to surrender our hearts as her property.

“Take possession of our hearts and wills—

they are undividedly yours.

They will blindly follow

your every sign and word.

It is your instrument’s honor and glory

to belong entirely to you.” [2]

Source: Schoenstatt Brasil

[1] Fr. Kentenich, Heavenwards, #606

[2] Fr. Kentenich, Heavenwards, #607

* Kennedy Rocha belongs to the Schoenstatt Family League of the Diocese of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

August 8, 2021 By Rosario Consiglio

The Blessed Mother in the new Marian temple in Costa Rica

A new Marian temple is being built in Costa Rica. Our Lady of Schoenstatt has her stained-glass window, along with 15 other Marian invocations. The builder is a member of the Schoenstatt Movement.

Juan Carlos Baeza
August 1st. 2021

Schoenstatt Costa Rica is preparing to cover the cost of the stained-glass window.

The news of the construction of a great Marian church and that one of its stained-glass windows would bear the image of the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt has been very exciting for the Schoenstatt Family in Costa Rica.

This motivated the Family Movement in the East to set up a collection, which was very successful, to cover the cost of the stained-glass window. The person in charge of this great work is the engineer Juan Carlos Baeza, member of the Family Branch.

Covenant partner‘s contributions combined with the Blessed Mother’s contribution.

The Blessed Mother of Schoenstatt is now in the new church of the Immaculate Conception Parish, located in Union de Cartago, Costa Rica, 15 minutes from San José, the national capital, and about 40 minutes from the Schoenstatt Shrine. The MTA is part of a group of sixteen invocations in honor of our Blessed Mother, which are represented by different original icons created by the Costa Rican artist Paula en el Bosque. Each icon has been placed in a window measuring more than six meters. Together they make up the architectural framework of the temple, which was designed by architect Paul Barboza Agüero. It has an octagonal shape that represents the new creation, where Christians can assemble around the altar.

Juan Carlos Baeza, feels blessed to be the director of this great project together with Father Denis Féliz De La Cruz, who was called to build a new temple for the community of Concepción de la Unión thus having a larger space for the celebration of the Eucharist given the population growth.

Due to its characteristics, this will be a Marian shrine, which will allow the people to get closer to Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the new Ark of the Covenant. She carries Jesus Christ, the completed mandate which is love.

Important is always to give the best in all what we do

Juan Carlos Baeza expressed that he never imagined he would be able to work on such an important project in his life but is convinced that the Blessed Mother prepared his heart to give of himself in every detail with care and generosity for the honor and glory of the heavenly Father.

And he added: “During this whole process I experienced the mystery of Divine Providence, since every joy, problem or situation that has arisen is part of God’s perfect plan, because everything happens when it is time, which is often difficult to understand. Only when one has faith in the work that He entrusts to us, the time spent and all the effort are worth it”. He added that “it has been impressive to see how the work that has been done day by day has had an impact on so many people. That is why it is important to always give the best of each one of us in everything we do, because God is always at work”.

Finally, Mr. Baeza thanks all the people who have worked with him in different ways throughout the construction process and his wife Carolina, who has been an unconditional support during this task.

“Every house is built by someone, but the builder of all is God”. Heb 3,4

And he finishes: “All the prayers, blessings, beautiful words, gestures, all the nice things that people have shown me, give me the strength to move forward and realize that this work goes beyond our present lives. I am sure that with the Blessed Mother’s intercession and everyone’s support we will soon see the completion of this Marian Shrine. I invite you to do your bit and be part of this great blessing”.

“Every house is built by someone, but the builder of all is God”. Heb 3,4

We are grateful for every donation to the Immaculate Conception Parish, which can be made by contacting the phone number +506-2279 5760. Also visit: Parish Immaculate Conception in Facebook.

More about Costa Rica:

Schoenstatt in Cartago, Costa Rica: a festive celebration

4th Anniversary of Schoenstatt Shrine in Costa Rica

Construtor del templo mariano — Schoenstatt Costa Rica