A bold idea in Colombia

There are thousands of Schoenstatters in the world, but very few can recount the experience of participating directly in the conquest of a Shrine. Since September, two young men from the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth in Costa Rica—José David Chua and David Corrales—have accepted the challenge of moving to Bogotá, Colombia, for six months to collaborate in the spiritual conquest of the future “Gate of Heaven” Shrine.

Their mission focuses on encouraging and forming the Boys’ Youth in the capital of the third most Catholic country in Latin America. This mission arises from the covenant between the community of Schoenstatt Fathers in Ecuador and Costa Rica and the Diocesan Coordination of the Movement in Bogotá.

The international Boys’ Youth is rediscovering its missionary spirit. Last July, the International Youth Congress in Rome encouraged them to broaden their horizons, offering support between countries. These missionaries in Bogotá embody that call: to leave their own land behind to give the Blessed Mother six months of their lives, in simplicity and generosity.

“A bold thought, almost too bold for the public, but not too bold for you,” said Father Joseph Kentenich in 1914. Today, more than a hundred years later, that spirit is still alive in these young people.

A Shrine for Bogotá

Schoenstatt has been present in Colombia for decades. Along with the Shrines in Pereira and Armenia, the Family is now conquering its first Shrine in the capital. The Movement already has land and a chapel in the north of Bogotá, officially recognized by the archdiocese. There, little by little, the spiritual heart of the future Shrine is being forged.

Currently, municipal permits are being processed to begin construction, and a campaign is underway to also build a house for the Movement, with facilities for a future community of Priests.

In the style of the Gospel, a simple life but a great mission

The young people reside in the “Little House of the Blessed Mother,” located next to the Shrine grounds. Life is simple: cold weather in Bogotá, lack of comforts, and self-management of daily life. But there they learn the essentials: autonomy, character, and leadership. Their apostolic work extends to schools, universities, and parishes in Bogotá and Chía.

“In reality,” they share, “we haven’t had to make a great effort to open doors: the Blessed Mother has gone faster than us. Mater perfectam habebit curam!”

A family that accompanies

Although the Schoenstatt Fathers do not yet have a residence in Colombia, they accompany the mission from Ecuador and Costa Rica, with periodic visits. Three couples from the Family Work in Bogotá have taken on the role of “godparents” to the young people, caring for them and ensuring they have everything they need. Added to this is the admirable commitment of the Diocesan Coordination of the Schoenstatt Family in Bogotá.

Every month and a half, the missionaries travel to Ecuador to meet with other young people sent to Quito: Andrés Candel and Mateo Victoria, from Madrid, Spain, and Austin, USA, respectively. They carry out a very similar task in the Ecuadorian capital, which enriches the spirit of the missionary family and formation.

Sign of hope

Many in Colombia find it hard to believe that these young people are ordinary young men who wanted to give the Blessed Mother six months of their lives, with no other pretensions than to live this adventure. Repeatedly, people think they are religious or seminarians; apparently, the Church is not accustomed to seeing a young man, without necessarily discerning a religious vocation, be so generous as to give himself to such an experience.

In these young people, we have a great treasure and a true sign of hope for the Schoenstatt Family and for the Church.

We trust that soon the Blessed Mother will have a new throne of graces in the heart of Colombia. Meanwhile, these missionaries continue to write history with concrete actions: “Prove to me first by your deeds that you truly love me” (Founding document)

We ask for prayers for this mission and for the fruits of the conquest of the “Gate of Heaven” Shrine.

Those who want to follow this adventure closely, join in, or collaborate with it, can do so on Instagram: @misioncolombiasch.

Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías