During Holy Week, the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement in Ecuador experienced a profound journey of faith, dedication, and service through its missions.
Both the university youth and the missionary families responded generously to the call to bring Christ and Mary to different corners of the country, becoming a concrete presence of hope amidst the realities of each community.
These missions not only reflect the Movement’s apostolic commitment but also its ability to positively impact society by fostering spaces for encounter, listening, prayer, and accompaniment.
342 missionaries were sent to various provinces
In every place visited, Schoenstatt made itself present as a living Church, bringing comfort, strengthening faith, and building community.
In total, 342 missionaries were sent from different branches and cities across the country to carry out university and family missions in various provinces of Ecuador.
Through their dedication, they reached hundreds of homes and communities, making a significant impact on both the families they served and the missionaries themselves.
These missions were a true expression of faith in action: young people and families who, leaving their comfort zones, chose to serve, listen, and accompany others.
Schoenstatt reaching out to serve a new social order
The Holy Week missions thus reaffirm Schoenstatt’s commitment to evangelization and its concrete contribution to society, forming hearts capable of transforming their surroundings through love, hope, and lived faith.
Each missionary, moreover, performs a profound act of personal self-giving, setting aside their own concerns and responsibilities for a few days to go out, meet their neighbor, and bring the Gospel where it is most needed. It is in this generous self-detachment that the mission takes on an even deeper meaning, becoming not only service but also a path of inner transformation.
Here we share some information about the different aspects of this mission:
Guayaquil Youth
Motto: “With Christ and Mary, winning hearts.”
Number of Missionaries: 82
Location: Pelileo
Communities served: García Moreno, Catimbo Potreros, Catimbo Centro, Chambiato, Chumaquí, Sigualó Bajo, Sigualó Alto.
Quito Youth
Motto: “In the midst of the storm, be rivers of hope.”
Number of missionaries: 88
Location: Cotundo
Missionary communities: Jondachi, Sacha Waysa, Narupa, and various areas of Km 24.
Guayaquil Family Missions
Motto: “With the fire of first love, we serve the mission.”
Number of missionaries: 75
Location: Tarifa
Missionary communities: Monte Alto, El Rosario, Boca de Caña, and La Pista
Family Missions Quito
Motto: “Missionary Families, messengers of hope.”
Number of missionaries: 97
Location: Imbabura
Missioned communities: Santa Ana, La Loma, and El Milagro
The laity, together with the priests and sisters: a family on the move
A fundamental pillar of every mission is the close companionship of the Schoenstatt Fathers and Sisters of Mary, who, through their spiritual guidance, dedication, and witness, accompany the missionaries every step of the way.
This effort would not be possible without the valuable support of the missionary donors, who, through their generosity—via financial and material contributions—make each mission viable; and of the praying missionaries, who spiritually sustain this work with their constant prayer. Both are an essential part of this great mission, allowing grace to reach further and touch more hearts.
Looking toward 2027, the mission continues, and the call remains open. Each of us can be an instrument of hope, whether by going, donating, or praying. We are invited to step outside of ourselves and allow God to use us to bring His light where it is most needed.
Testimonies
“University missions are a clear example that among young people there still exists that desire to serve others, which, strengthened by the support of the Blessed Mother and the Father, reflects the true spirit of the mission. The door-to-door mission allowed us to see the reality of our brothers and sisters; we accompanied them with prayers and quality time; we also helped with whatever they needed to make their daily tasks easier, and we understood that it is not easy, but it demonstrates how important it is to serve and listen to those in need. The gratitude on their faces makes it clear to us that we are doing the right thing and that, if we continue with this mission, winning hearts will not be a problem. During our time among the missionaries, we shared our experiences from the door-to-door mission, engaging in activities together, such as communal prayer, which kept us in harmony, and time for reflection before Jesus.”
María José López – Guayas Girls’ Youth
“For me, the missions are a breath of fresh air in my daily life and like an early reward, because they come so close to the start of the school year and remind me of the people around me and how blessed I am by God.”
Chabu Beltrán – Family Missions Guayaquil
“Living the Schoenstatt Family Missions is an experience that deeply transforms the heart, because the impact is felt not only in the communities we visit but also in the missionary families. Those days forge a true living shrine in the home, hand in hand with the Blessed Mother.”
Guerrero Contero Family – Family Missions, Quito
