Father has returned to his Gymnich today!

More than 600 persons commemorated the 120^th anniversary of the birth of Father Kentenich in Gymnich where he was born

Misa festiva en la parroquia donde fue bautizado Festive Mass in the church where he was baptized Festmesse in der Taufkirche, St. Kunibertus in Gymnich
Renovación de las promesas bautismales Renovation of the bautismal covenant Erneuerung des Taufbundes
Celebrante principal: P. Heinrich Walter Main celebrant: Father Heinrich Walter Hauptzelebrant: P. Heinrich Walter
Almuerzo  y acto solemne en el salón de la Sociedad de Tiro de Gymnich Noon meal and ceremony in the rifle club club-house Mittagessen und Festakt im Haus der Schützengesellschaft
Miembros de la Asociación  Patrocinadora de la casa familiar del Padre José Kentenich Members of the  Patronage Association of the Father Kentenich House in Gymnich Mitglieder des Fördervereins Geburtshaus Pater Kentenich in Gymnich
Fue una fiesta que llenó de alegría y orgullo a todos los presentes It was a feast that filled all with joy and pride Ein Fest, an dem viele mitwirkten und das alle mit Freude und Stolz erfüllte Fotos: POS Fischer © 2005 Mas fotos – more photos – mehr Bilder

GERMANY, mkf. "One hundred and twenty years ago, a very common event took place in Gymnich: the birth of a child. One hundred and twenty years later, we are gathered here in an uncommon meeting to commemorate said event. The same is being done by many people on all continents." At the moment Father Angel Strada (a Schoenstatt Father) pronounced these words with which he began his allocution in the Rifle Society Hall in Gymnich –which was filled to capacity—everything was going so perfectly that one almost did not realize that this was an unheard of experience until now. By initiative of Fr. Pikos, pastor of St. Kunnibert, and otherGymnich residents, the most beautiful and most well attended festival in all of Germany was celebrated in this place since September of 1985 in which the centennial of Father Joseph Kentenich’s birth was commemorated. It is impossible to affirm who was happier that day, the citizens of Gymnich or the innumerable members of the International Schoenstatt Movement. On the other hand, no one worried about finding out. It had already been hours since "our" Father Kentenich was here, among us, amid a celebration of more than six hundred persons.

"Happy the city which can be proud of having among its children a personality as important as that of Father Joseph Kentenich. His vision a source of light, his firmness, his love for mankind and for the Church are a permanent legacy," expressed the president of the federal state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Mr. Jurgen Ruttgers in the greeting he gave during the festival of the 120^th anniversary of the birth of Father Kentenich which took place in Gymnich. Cardinal Joachim Meissner also sent his greetings on this day, showing his gratitude to Fr. Pikos and the Sponsor Association of the family home of Father Joseph Kentenich for the joyful initiative which came forth before WYD. "It is a motive of joy for me that the strength of the radiance from the Work of Father Kentenich until today in the entire world be rediscovered anew precisely at the place where he was born, in Gymnich. May the work of your Sponsor Association contribute that in the future the city of Gymnich may become known as the cradle of this great son who is Joseph Kentenich and may it become known at the same time through the blessed Work of this fervent disciple of Jesus and of his Mother Thrice Admirable."

Everything turned out marvellously well on November 20, 2005, in Gymnich: neglecting the most ominous predictions, not one drop of rain fell on that day; also successful was the great collaboration which came forth among the Sponsor Association and the parish of St. Kunnibert, the diocesan Movement and the International Movement of Schoenstatt, the Rifle Society of St. Kunnibert, the St. Sebastian Fraternity, local and regional politicians, the media, choirs, and local associations. All of Gymnich was touched by the 120^th anniversary of the birth of Father Kentenich! They were united –each participating according to their own charism—Schoenstatters from the Archdiocese of Cologne and neighboring dioceses, from Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Argentina, representatives from the Focolare Movement, from the Integrated Community, amidst a spontaneous and natural climate where competition shined because of its absence…..Father must have really been happy with such a birthday celebration!

Winds of renewal are sifted on Gymnich

"The place of birth is more than just mere personal data of identity. The family atmosphere and the surroundings are decisive for life. ‘I am me and my circumstance’ were words of the Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset. We are accustomed to link our saints with the place of their birth: Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola. Francis, Teresa and Ignatius were marked by such concrete places and these in turn owe them their significance and hierarchical histories. Lastly, we speak of Jesus of Nazareth," said Father Angel Strada later in his allocution. Will they some day speak of Joseph Kentenich of Gymnich?

This son, born of a single mother in modest circumstances and who at the age of eight left his city and seldom returned, was practically forgotten there. Soon after the death of Father Kentenich, the Schoenstatt Fathers purchased his birth home. In the first years of the 1980’s, the residents, with curious faces, would see diverse groups of pilgrims coming on foot to Gymnich. In like manner, the first Masses celebrated by an entire generation of diocesan Schoenstatt priests from Cologne awakened much curiosity…..Nothing was known with certainty about those Chilean and German students who "infiltrated" at night the parish of St. Kunnibert and locked themselves in to take pictures in total freedom…..Even though the news spread about the large groups of pilgrims –especially from South America—who since the middle 1980’s would arrive in Gymnich every summer, but did not cause much sensation. In the end, the Gymnich castle also attracted at first official state visits with their respective committees and later the fans of the Irish pop music group Kelly Family. It is worth repeating that Gymnich is at the forefront in reference to what is known as somewhat exotic visitors…..

A memorial plaque in the parish where he was baptized, a park with his name, a postcard…..these are the footprints of Father Kentenich in the city of his birth, Gymnich. A few "saw the light" shortly before WYD. In a conversation among a circle of Gymnich residents regarding the poor conditions of the house, they decided to correct this situation before such an important event as WYD. Marianne Schmitz assumed the initiative and on July 21^st, in the room where Father Kentenich was born, they founded the "Sponsor Association of the birth home of Father Joseph Kentenich" which took hold of everyone through its dynamic appeal.

Gymnich, November 20, 2005, 9:00 A.M. Minute by minute people are arriving from all sides. The Rifle Society makes their presentation donning their traditional uniforms, the band of wind instruments play their first notes, St. Kunnibert park fills with visitors. A park in front of the historical house which is almost unrecognizable is where the Schoenstatt banners, the flags from Erfstadt and the WYD flags flutter in the wind. A poster points to the historical House which has recently been painted. In front of the house is a glass case with information. The park has been remodeled…..a true gem!

The "Honor of Gymnich"

"With our common pilgrimage from the simple birth home to this Church which is visible from afar, we wanted to make the same trip which was made 120 years ago by his Godmother, Ana María Blatzheim, and perhaps also the young mother with her newborn child," said Msgr. Peter Wolf in the homily of the solemn Holy Mass. The Church was filled to capacity. Accompanied by the musical band and the praying of the Rosary, a multitude of persons –after a short prayer in front of the house—walked toward the Church which already at the beginning of Holy Mass did not have one single empty seat. Along with the parish pastor, in the altar area, there were many Schoenstatt Fathers and diocesan priests from the various Schoenstatt communities.

A youth choir enlivened Holy Mass with its songs which are now known by all since WYD. It has hardly been three months since more than a million youths gathered to celebrate the vigil at Mary’s Camp and the Holy Eucharist a mere 10 kms from Gymnich. Msgr. Peter Wolf highlighted in his homily the event of the baptism of Joseph Kentenich in that Church, at that baptismal font. "This baptismal font marks the beginning of his journey, of a life full of blessings for the Church. It reminds us of the undeserved grace which God gives at the beginning of a life and reminds us of the miracles which God can work through it. There are many throughout the world who are convinced that from this baptismal font in Gymnich a great man has come forth, a committed Christian; yes, even a saint. When the Church takes ownership of this experience, when it assumes this reality, innumerable shall be those who will praise God at this font for the baptism of Father Kentenich," expressed Msgr. Wolf. Afterward, a renewal of baptismal promises as in the Easter vigil took place with lighted candles held by hand…..the climax of this solemn Eucharist celebrated in the parish of St. Kunnibert, patron saint of a bishop from Cologne in the seventh century whose name means "Honor of his Clan." Can it be said of one who was baptized here 120 years ago that he is the "Honor of Gymnich?"

A religiosity marked by joyfulness

Fr. Angel Strada took up in his allocution what Pope Benedict XVI said during WYD about the characteristics of the Rheinland people among which he highlighted the charm and wit, the good humor and the intelligence of the people from Cologne. These are made manifest in their religiosity marked by joyfulness.

A religiosity marked by joyfulness which was felt that afternoon in the Hall of the Rifle Society in Erfstadt. Upon entering the hall, Schoenstatters and many Gymnich inhabitants were also left dumbfounded: a splendidly decorated setting to the minutest detail…..displaying a giant German flag…..a smaller Schoenstatt banner…..an enormous picture of Father Kentenich…..tables with white tablecloths…..candles and flowers…..there were places for everyone, for those who had confirmed their attendance and for the most numerous group of those who had not confirmed their attendance…..a pamphlet with a text of tribute which was given to everyone. If the guests – according to the ancient chivalry novels – were always offered "the best in the house and pantry," Gymnich was not left wanting with the feast they offered the guests that day. You could feel that there were experienced persons taking care of things…..everything was done most efficiently…..with skill…..without problems…..surrounded by a climate of deep joy.

With the lively music from the St. Kunnibert parish choir and three students from the Schoenstatt Fathers from Brazil and Chile, the festivity developed with the jovial and lively direction of Father Carlos Bausenhart. The list of speakers was long: the Catholic and the Evangelical community, the Sponsor Association, the politicians, the Rifle Society of St. Kunnibert, the St. Sebastian Fraternity, the Raiffeisen Bank which acted as a sponsor…..no one wanted to be absent! Everyone in their own way and according to their perspective wanted to honor this great son of their city.

Klaere Schmitz, professor of history and a native of Gymnich, traced a lively picture of Gymnich in 1885. At the end of her presentation – in which she described a small row beween the pastor and the Association and which produced an avalanche of laughter – she said some very moving words comparing the life of Joseph Kentenich with the other Joseph, the son of Isaac: "Joseph was sold by his brothers, he was not taken into account, he did great things in a foreign country and finally he was a blessing for his people. The same as he, Joseph Kentenich was not known in Gymnich and he has come to be for many people a blessing. We hope now that he will be beatified very soon and that also we, the inhabitants of Gymnich, may appeal to his intercession."

A fire in his heart

Through the characteristics of the Rheinland people expressed by the Pope and paraphrasing the titles of the significant biographies of Father Kentenich, Father Angel Strada traced an image of the figure of Father Kentenich on this 120^th anniversary of his birth: "Totally a Father"….."A Prophet of Mary"…..with "A Fire in His Heart." In "Footprints of a Father," the International Schoenstatt Movement follows today the path of Father Kentenich toward God and toward men. Shortly before, Father Strada had sketched some traits of the life of Father Kentenich and had pointed out: "In his life becomes visible that which Pope Benedict refers to with the words ‘religiosity marked by joy’ from the people of Cologne. His birth as an illegitimate child, the orphanage, the two World Wars, Dachau, the fourteen years of separation from his Work and the lack of understanding on the part of the Church were not able to sway nor to destroy his faith and his confidence in a God who loves and is a person. There is the source of his serenity, of his interior calm, of his generosity. Because it is not possible to believe in a good Heavenly Father and a loving and faithful Mother and at the same time live a sad life filled with anxiety and boredom."

Dusk was on the horizon when Father Heinrich Walter, president of the General Presidium of the International Schoenstatt Work, closed the celebration with some final words. In one phrase he summarized what the inhabitants of Gymnich and the Schoenstatters had experienced throughout that day: "Today, Father Kentenich returned once again to his Gymnich."

Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA

• Talk by Fr. Angel Strada
• Sermon by Mons. Dr. Peter Wolf
• Photos