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 8 – We Unite Freely
(August 8 – 14, 2021)
The fact that we freely chose to come [here] is the first bond that unites and welds our community together during these days (Fr. Kentenich, Forming the New Person, 1951).
These words of Father Kentenich give us the opportunity to reflect on our growth and commitment. The treasure of our free will is the royal gift we are allowed to preserve. But much more than that, it is the gift that we give to one another when we freely decide to remain bonded to the community, at its service, and spiritually engaged in its goals and ideals. Totally convinced of our mission, we reach out to those who belong to our groups and branches.
Being consequent with our family commitments is our gift for the Queen of Unity.
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.