17 September 2020 · 2020-09 newsletter
This is a momentous year in the history of Schoenstatt as we celebrate 100 years since women became part of Schoenstatt. Although the actual date on which Countess Gertraud of Bullion and her cousin, Marie Christmann made their consecration in the Original Shrine, was 8th December 1920, the Single Women’s League decided to celebrate this milestone in August (4th – 8th). The plans were to have a Jubilee celebration in Schoenstatt with women from about 20 countries – from different cultures, languages and walks of life – celebrating this milestone with a congress for delegates, followed by general celebrations open to all on the Saturday and Sunday.
During the Jubilee they wanted to crown Our Lady in their home shrines under the title Queen of Women all over the World. The crowning ceremony would take place in the Original Shrine. Each country was asked to send the signatures of the members of their Women’s’ League groups which were to be placed in a special cover in the tabernacle in the Original Shrine.
From Australia we had planned to have a group of 5 ladies attending these celebrations.
While preparations began early in 2019, the major spiritual preparation was a nine month novena beginning in November last year. During the novena we were inspired by the words of Father Kentenich which he calls out to each of us anew each day: “Be what you are! Be it in the best possible way.”
However, along came COVID-19 and all plans were changed. After consultation with women in the various countries it was decided that the Jubilee was too significant to be cancelled altogether, so a modified celebration was planned from 7th – 8th August. Thanks to the hard work of the Jubilee Team in Schoenstatt, each country was able to experience the celebrations with translations of the celebrations in their own language and all the events were transmitted thanks to modern technology.
The celebrations began in the Adoration Church on the Friday evening. As part of these celebrations, a representative from each country processed into the Founder Chapel where they placed into the Tabernacle cover, the signatures of the members of their country and then signed the coronation certification on behalf of all the members of the Women’s League in their country. These signatures are the Jubilee gift of the women and signify their willingness to continue the mission they have been given by our father and founder.
We were very lucky that our newest Schoenstatt Sister from Australia – Sr. M. Rita Baysari – was able to represent Australia and signed the certificate on our behalf.
On the Saturday morning the celebrations continued with a Vigil Mass in the Adoration Church. While it was sad to see so few ladies in the Church (restricted because of the COVID-19), it was still a very solemn and meaningful celebration. Again Sr. M. Rita represented Australia by carrying in the Australian flag and presenting one of the symbols during the Prayers of the Faithful.
The climax of the celebrations was the crowning in the Original Shrine on the Saturday evening. The celebrations began with a bouquet of roses and lilies being presented as a gift from all nations. They also symbolized the various generations of the league as well as all league members who have given their lives for the mission.
The signatures that had been received from around the world – and placed on father’s tomb the previous day – were now in the protective cover for the tabernacle – our Crowning gift.
Those present prayed:
“We come here today, first of all to give thanks for all the wonderful events and experiences we have had as Women’ League over the last 100 years, to give thanks for the streams of love that have flowed from here to our countries, to our shrines, but also to our home shrines.
…..We want to consciously strengthen one another and pray with one another, from heart shrine to heart shrine, from country to country. Together we prayed: “Let us walk like you through life, let us mirror you forever, strong and noble, meek and mild, peace and love be our endeavour. Walk in us through our world, make it ready for the Lord.” (J.K. “Heavenwards”)
During the crowning each lady was asked to hold up her crowning symbol and prayed:
“We ask you to help us in these turbulent times to rediscover our womanhood and to live it in a truly Christian and authentic way. Look down upon us with a loving gaze….Grant us the grace to begin anew in the Covenant of Love, because we know: “Holiness means to have the courage to start everyday anew.” J.K. Take us by the hand and form us more and more into your image, Queen of our hearts, Mary. We want to see like you, hear like you, speak like you, understand like you, forgive like you, but above all love like you!
…… Show us ways to be Mary in today’s world: at our place of work, within our family and circle of friends, in our parish, with our neighbours, in good and in bad days. Show us, Mother and Queen, where our commitment to you is needed today. We are ready and we dare to start anew, with you today, here and now. “We are united in the shrine, where the flames of our hearts beat for our Mother Thrice Admirable who, through us, wants to build your kingdom.” J.K. H.W.
Father Antonio Bracht (a Schoenstatt Father) then placed the protective cover with the signatures in the base of the tabernacle.
The celebrations ended with a ring of loyalty around the Original Shrine.
Love for love, Loyalty for loyalty, Crown for crown
The Jubilee celebrations were a wonderful experience for us here in Australia even though we did not participate in quite the way we had envisaged – we were not in Schoenstatt, we were not part of a large, enthusiastic group of Schoenstatt women gathered in these holy places to celebrate this Jubilee – but we did participate in the celebrations in a different way – via Zoom and live-streaming and connecting with each other via phone messaging.
Taking part in these celebrations gave us an opportunity to give thanks for the spiritual fruitfulness of the Women’s League here in Australia since 1966; and for the heritage that we have received from those many women who have gone before us – not only in the Women’s League, but also the women in the Sisters’ Community, in the Mothers’ Branch, the Family Branch and the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate. We pray: ‘Mary let us be like you, your living Tabernacles’.
Shirley Hall
Mary Mother of the Church – pray for us!
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