A buzz word for me for the previous year has been – “expectant faith” – do we really believe in the promise made to us – the promise of scripture – the promise of the graces given through the Shrine. Sit back and think for a little while – do you “expect” these graces when you visit the Shrine?
God Bless
Fr. Andrew
What I bear and endure,
what I say and what I dare,
what I think and what I cherish,
all the merits that I gain,
what I direct and what I conquer,
all my joys and all my sorrows:
what I am and what I have,
I give to you as a gift of love.
Use it so that the holy stream of graces
flowing richly from the shrine
may fill the souls of those
who have given their hearts to Schoenstatt
and gently lead there
all those whom you wish to choose in kindness.
Accept everything that our efforts may be fruitful
which we dedicate to the Trinity.
Joseph Kentenich, 29 March 1945 (Heavenwards)
Encouraged by the history of the foundation at the Valley of Pompeii, the expectations of the Founder and the young Sodality were directed towards the development of a place of pilgrimage and grace at Schoenstatt. From the beginning their aim was not the healing of illnesses or physical ailments. Their expectations were directed far more to the Blessed Mother’s educational work in their midst. The Founder summarised in three directions what he had observed in the chapel’s field of influence. He noticed that many in the Sodality felt at home and sheltered in the little chapel. He observed that quite a number whom he had got to know well through spiritual direction underwent an amazing transformation and spiritual growth. Finally, it was impossible to miss that a vibrant missionary spirit had been awakened in the young Sodalists, and later also in the developing Apostolic Federation. Their apostolate also bore rich fruit. From these observations Fr Kentenich formulated what he called Schoenstatt’s original graces of pilgrimage as finding a spiritual home, and experiencing spiritual transformation and apostolic fruitfulness.Three Original Pilgrimage Graces
I am thinking of the original, threefold pilgrimage grace which, according to our simple faith, is distributed here in Schoenstatt: the grace of spiritual transformation, of being spiritually at home, and an apostolic spirit. Continue reading “Year of the Shrine – Pilgrim Graces”