After years of preparation and community formation, the members of the Sacerdotes Unitatis Course, of the Schoenstatt Institute of Diocesan Priests, celebrated their perpetual consecration-contract with the community. The ceremony took place in Schoenstatt on January 20, 2026. The following Priests are part of this course:
Dr. P. Leonardo di Carlo (Argentina)
Fr. Edgar Merel (Peru)
Fr. Jorge Torero (Peru)
Fr. Wilber Vélez (Ecuador)
Father Federico Nadalich, from Argentina, is also part of the course, but was unable to attend for health reasons.
The ceremony was held at Mount Moriah, where the Shrine and the Father House of the Community are located. The celebration was presided over by the Rector General, Dr. Christian Löhr. In addition, some representatives of the Schoenstatt Fathers and the Sisters of Mary participated.
Meeting with Pope Leo XIV
On January 28, at the end of the General Audience, the members of the Course had the joy of meeting Pope Leo XIV.
Dr. Marcelo Cervi, who accompanied the priests as an educator of the Perpetual Tertianship, recounts:
“After introducing the Priests to Pope Leo, I was able to share two special points with him.
First, I asked for his blessing and prayers for the second phase of the General Congress of the Institute of Schönstatt Diocesan Priests, which will begin on February 2, 2026.
Then I spoke to him about Theophilus (a Bible study group), born on the Sunday of the Word of God, which has already helped more than 5,000 people better understand Sacred Scripture. This deeply pleased the Holy Father.
It was a moment truly blessed by God and Our Lady, in which I was able to express once again my love and devotion to the Successor of Peter, promising to love and serve the Church with all my heart, as did Father Joseph Kentenich, whose tomb bears the powerful inscription: Dilexit Ecclesiam (He loved the Church).”
During the meeting, the Schönstatt Priests presented the Holy Father with an image of the MTA.
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