“Heaven is born on earth” is the name of a formation project offered by the Father House in Argentina. It began as a proposal for reflection on the person of Father Joseph Kentenich to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the fourth milestone in Schoenstatt’s history—the rehabilitation and release of the Founder at the end of his exile—and the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council.
Reflecting as a Family: Cor unum in Patre
We are going through a significant and challenging time as a Schoenstatt Family. This impels us to deepen our understanding of the charismatic mission given by God to Father Joseph Kentenich, his place in the Work, and our bond with him. But we do not want to live this search in isolation, but rather as a community. The commemoration of the fourth milestone is a call to renew our commitment to the post-conciliar mission. The Father’s Family in Argentina, which remained faithful during the Founder’s exile, joins in thanksgiving for his return. Father Joseph Kentenich pointed to this event as a sign of “divine victory,” which impels us to build the “Church of the new shore.”
The Reflection Meeting of the Father’s Family will take place from October 3 to 5 at the New Schoenstatt Shrine in Florencio Varela, Argentina. It is aimed at the leaders of the Schoenstatt Family in Argentina, but it is also open to people from other countries who wish to participate. All those who are willing to engage in a shared reflection experience that generates a space for insights that mature only in a process lived together are invited.
Program for the Leaders’ Reflection Meeting. October 3-5, 2025
Friday, October 3
8:00 p.m. – Launch of the book “Apología pro Vita mea” 1960. Patris Publishing House, Argentina.
Fr. Jorge Scampini, Sr. M. Virginia Perera, Fr. Alejandro Blanco
9:00 p.m. – Live cantata: Song to the Prophet.
Saturday, October 4
9:00 a.m. – Impulse 1
Keys to the renewal of Vatican II. Fr. Jorge Scampini
The mission of Schoenstatt and Vatican II. Fr. Alejandro Blanco
11:30 a.m. – Impulse 2
Documentary: Fourth milestone in the history of Schoenstatt.
Challenges posed by Schoenstatt’s charism for the 21st century, 60 years after the fourth milestone.
Panel. Rita Gajate (Family Institute), José Vargas, Fr. Santiago Ferrero. ISch. Director of the Movement.
3:00 p.m. – Reflective reading in community 1 (in groups)
4:30 p.m. – Reflective reading in community 2 (in groups)
6:45 p.m. – Personal prayer. Silence/Adoration
7:15 p.m. – Holy Mass: Heavenwards
8:15 p.m. – Spiritual experience. Pilgrimage to the Shrine.
Sunday, October 5
8:45 a.m. – Impulse 3
Chronicle of the renewal of promises
Panel: Sister María Julia Agüero, Mario Martínez (Family Federation), Nancy Ojeda (Women’s Federation).
9:45 a.m. – Reflection in community. The meaning of the chalice of promise for the Argentine Family.*
10:45 a.m. – Closing. Research group. National Presidency.
11:15 a.m. – Holy Mass. Renewal of promises.
Registration
Leaders interested in participating in the meeting can register through the leaders, moderators, or superiors of their respective communities or by emailing enlatierranaceelcielo3@gmail.com
Deepening to understand
In preparation for the Reflection Meeting, the Schoenstatt Family in Argentina began a formation journey in April, convinced that understanding history—with its lights and shadows—and the place of the Founder in the Work can only be understood through study and deepening.
The formation cycle Introduction to the Fourth Milestone in the History of Schoenstatt (1965-2025) is being broadcast from the Father House, with presentations by Erika Cedeño and Sister María Julia Agüero. It consists of six conferences, available on the YouTube channel @SchoenstattArgentina.
Formative videos of the Project:
Thursday, April 24
And after May 31. What?
From the Third Milestone to the Fourth Milestone in Schoenstatt’s History.
Sister Virginia Perera, Father Alejandro Blanco, FPSch; Father Juan José Riba, ISch; David Perera.
Thursday, May 8
A long letter
Contents of the Perlonga Epistle 1949, response from the Founder to the Archbishop of Trier on the occasion of the Diocesan Visit. Sr. M. Virginia Perera.
Thursday, June 12
New documents on the history of Schoenstatt
Recently published reports and correspondence from the Founder (1947-1959).
David Perera
Thursday, July 10
Rehabilitation and liberation
History and meaning of the fourth milestone in Schoenstatt’s history, beginning with the third visit (1963) and the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Fr. Alejandro Blanco, FPSch.
Thursday, August 14
The liberation of the Father and Founder from Argentina
The nascent Argentine Family, the new community, and the chalice given to Pope Paul VI. Sr. María Julia Agüero.
Thursday, September 11
Divine victory
Theological key to understanding the fourth milestone in Schoenstatt’s history.
Fr. Juan José Riba, ISch.
Everyone is invited to join in this formative offering. May the commemoration of the fourth milestone, “being in divine victory,” renew our awareness of our mission as the Family of the Father.
* The formation project has found its symbol in the chalice that Father Joseph Kentenich gave to Pope Paul VI in his private audience on December 22, which is now in the Father House in Argentina, donated by Cardinal Quarracino, to whom Paul VI gave it on the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
