From the Archives
The Father Eye
By Pilar Huerta, Historian
The Father Eye symbol in the Cor Unum in Patre Shrine, with the same design as the symbol in the Confidentia Shrine, was a gift from the Texas Family in 1985. It was given for the future shrine in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and presented as gift for the centennial of our founder’s birth 1885-1985. The Father symbol was installed in the Cor Unum in Patre Shrine on the day of dedication, October 18, 2008.
The Father Eye in the Confidentia Shrine bears witness to the fact that in faith in divine providence and through deep childlike confidence we learn to respond to God the Father’s love by saying “Ita Pater – Yes, Father!” In our daily life, in joy and suffering, in success and failure – Yes, Father.
It is a symbol for the reality of Cor unum in Patre: as children we are ultimately one heart in God our Father and in his transparency, our founder, Father Kentenich.
The Father Eye symbol in the Confidentia Shrine (Lamar-Rockport, TX) is a precious gift from our father and founder. Before sending it in 1967, he blessed it and said:
“It is a beautiful eye, a piece of art; but it must always be a symbol for the reality: Father sees his child and the child always finds Father in the Shrine. Father sees me, Father loves me, Father knows me.” (J.K.)
History of the Father Eye Symbol
On October 15, 1967 Father Kentenich gave the Father Eye Symbol, a symbol that represents the paternal care and love of God our Father, to Pastor Heinz Kunster. He wanted the Schoenstatt Family of Trier to keep it and guard it until the right time came, when it would be installed in the Original Shrine.
With the death of Father Kentenich, September 15, 1968, this symbol started a worldwide pilgrimage. The symbol visited San Antonio in 1969 on the day of the groundbreaking for our first wayside shrine, the Shrine of Unity, in St. Lawrence Parish.
On October 15, 2014, exactly 47 years later, the mission of the Trier Diocese was accomplished. They handed over the Father Eye Symbol to the Schoenstatt Presidency, represented by Father Heinrich Walter. The Father Eye Symbol was installed in the Original Shrine during the Centennial Covenant Celebration on October 18th, 2014.
We pray with our Father and Founder: Heavenwards, p.56
O Triune God, be eternally praised…
