… we were given a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to be there! On September 26, 2024, the Holy Father came to Luxembourg for a day. Luxembourg is only two hours by car from Schoenstatt. We didn’t need to think twice when we found out, on the eve of the Pope’s visit, that there were still places available on the bus from the parish.
Many coutries – one Church
We four Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary from Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines were amazed when we realized that there were people from 12 different countries on our bus: children, parents, women, men, priests, young people, First-Communion children, and us. We were people who did not know each other. We were on the road together and didn’t know exactly what to expect. But from the beginning we experienced ourselves as a community. The internationality of our Church was palpable and made this pilgrimage lively and joyful. “We are one Church; whether in Germany or Luxembourg, it doesn’t matter,” said Sister M. Emilyn from the Philippines.
The MTA was already there …
Even though it was raining hard, our joy increased as we stepped out of the bus at our destination. Despite the cool weather our hearts were burning for our faith and for our mission. Impressed by the beauty of the city and the friendly people, we immediately felt welcomed. We began at the Original Shrine, but the MTA arrived in Luxembourg long before us. To our great surprise, we kept meeting people with a Pilgrim MTA shrine. They were happy to discover in us a living greeting from Schoenstatt. “Schoenstatt?!” The owner of a café saw us. She came out of the café and invited us in because she also belongs to a Pilgrim MTA circle! In the few hours we were there we experienced unbelievable and impressive hospitality and openness. And we experienced that a family is created through the MTA in the Pilgrim Shrine–even when we have never seen each other before.
The view
With our group, we found a good spot where Pope Francis passed by twice. “The atmosphere is very different from the World Youth Day in Lisbon,” remarked Sister M. Olivia from Australia. “There are no crowds and there are people of all generations. We are in the front row and there is no one behind us.” When the security guards suddenly sprang into action, we knew that the Holy Father was coming soon. He approached our location in his white popemobile. “We saw him and he saw us. He blessed us and our Pilgrim MTA Shrine. And we believe that the MTA also blessed him,” is how Sister M. Jany from Vietnam described this moment. “It was all somehow family-like. Even if the Holy Father stayed in the car, he took time to meet with individuals, he kept an eye on us, blessed children, waved, smiled and gave thanks. He encouraged and built trust when he pointed his thumb upwards . His age and frailty remained completely in the background. It was like a father visiting his children,” said Sister Charito-Maria from the Philippines.
Each one of us is a mission
In the middle of a secular city, we experienced ourselves as a living sign. We very rarely saw other consecrated people. Perhaps that mades us all the more interesting. Our sister’s dress is apostolic,” remarked Sister M. Emilyn. “So many photos and interviews, so many questions– our dress must have awakened curiosity. Each of us is on a mission.”
We thank heaven and our community for allowing us to be part of this “neighborhood visit” in Luxembourg and for the invitation from our parish. This “last-minute opportunity” has rekindled the fire in us to continue bringing the charism of our founder into the church.