Queen of Unity
Nine-Week Novena
June 20 – August 22, 2021
Opening Prayer:
In Spirit I kneel before your picture, Thrice Admirable, strong and gentle Mother,
united with all who have consecrated themselves to you and are ready to die for your realm.
We want to mirror ourselves in your image and seal our covenant of love anew. Make us, your instruments,
like you in everything and through us build Schoenstatt everywhere (Heavenwards).
Week 5 – United in Spite of differences
(July 18 – 24, 2021)
In the coming days, our attention is directed to the sensibilities and differences which make unity difficult. Cautious with our own nature, we admit our preconceived notions, and take courage to open our heart. Aware of human weaknesses, we stand in reverence before the history of all and in responsibility before the future which we are called to build together.
The same holds true for religious communities: What you do in order to draw a religious community together in a family like way means more than letting one or the other member get a formal education. You must see the cultural problems of our age before you. We must take precautions. Our nature is diseased. It was ill in the past but not to the extent to which it is today (Fr. Kentenich, Forming the New Person, 1951).
In smallness, we bring our weaknesses to the Queen of Unity, as a gift of love.
Closing Prayer:
We pray from the Heavenwards, the Prayer for the International
… accept our humble veneration and look on
our readiness to go to battle.
We present to you the nations living here
who share with us the fate of exile.
Be their+ Mother and their Queen! May they return home transformed—a firm guarantee
for peace among the nations++ and for unity in
the City of God on earth.
Through our striving we want to replace the
love and faithfulness they deny you
through their flight from the cross of Christ.
We want to live for you and your work alone.
Rule over us as pleases God and make us
the salt and leaven of the world.
Let us become one heart and one soul as
Our Lord implored during his earthly life
and despite each individual way remain
united, dedicating ourselves to the Father
as an ideal kingdom and overcoming all
barriers of nationality even when hate
infests the masses of the nations.
Increase the numbers and depth of our family
and use us as your instruments forever.
May we fulfill the great mission which you
have implored for us in accordance with
the Father’s will. Amen.