There are three Marian feasts celebrated in a single week in September: The Nativity of Mary on September 8, the Sweet Name of Mary on September 12, and the Seven Sorrows of Mary on September 15. Each feast focuses our attention on a different aspect of the Blessed Mother’s personality:

• We see her as the dawn announcing the coming salvation through her person and pointing to Christ as the awaited Savior;
• We remember her yes in placing herself at God’s disposal for his plan of salvation, which was the human prerequisite for God’s incarnation;
• We admire the fidelity with which she does not doubt God’s love even in suffering.

Some Marian feasts were introduced by the Church to illustrate a doctrinal statement, others were days of thanksgiving for the help experienced in difficult times of need, which people attributed to the intercession of the Mother of God. For example, September 12 commemorates the victory of the Christian armies fighting the Turkish army near Vienna in 1683.

Because she is Victorious…

Mary had a special meaning for Father Kentenich. He could talk about her all the time. He experienced firsthand how his relationship with Mary healed the wounds of his soul. He wanted to pass on this experience to others. That is why he encouraged the young people entrusted to him as spiritual director to consecrate themselves to Mary. His love for the Virgin Mary encouraged the young men to educate themselves and to allow themselves to be molded by her. Joseph Engling is an exceptional example. We are also invited to entrust ourselves to Mary in the Covenant of Love.

Furthermore, Fr. Kentenich saw in Mary the ideal image of how God conceived the redeemed man. He never tired of proclaiming her glories. For him, to speak of her meant also to encourage people to come closer to this ideal image. We are invited to be guided by his example in the Covenant of Love.

Father Kentenich repeatedly experienced how he received help in difficult situations through the intercession of the Blessed Mother. His confidence in the intercessory power of the Blessed Mother was unshakable. That is why he suggested giving her the title “Victress”. In the Covenant of Love, we are invited to entrust ourselves to the Blessed Virgin in our needs.

Fifty years ago in October 1974, the international Schoenstatt Family crowned the Blessed Mother as “Thrice Admirable Victress” in the Adoration Church on Mount Schoenstatt. This day of remembrance encourages us to reflect on the Virgin Mary in the present challenges of society and of the Church as well as in our own needs, to be guided by her figure, to entrust ourselves to her intercession and to share with others our own experiences with her. She also wants to show herself victorious today and in our lives. This should also apply to us: We can never get enough of Mary!

May God bless Covenant Day!

Dr. Bernd Biberger
Director General of the Sisters of Mary

Translation: Maribel Acaron