Schoenstatt founding act in 1914 is the moment when Fr. Kentenich and the founding generation offered their striving for sanctity and asked Mary to come to dwell in their chapel (Schoenstatt Shrine), transforming it into a place of pilgrimage and their “cradle of sanctity”. It is from this original act that Schoenstatt’s life, identity and fruitfulness flow.

The Covenant of Love is an act of consecration (as individual or community) to Mary as the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt (also known as the “Schoenstatt consecration”). It instills a deeper relationship with Mary and gives one full participation in the stream of life and graces originating in the covenant of 1914 and flowing from the Shrine. Each new member or group also contributes in a uniqueway to the original covenant, enhancing and enriching it, even while the covenant enhances and enriches the life of each member or group.

The Covenant of Love is a recognized form of Marian consecration in the Church. Like the consecration of the Marian Sodality, the De Montfort (Grignion) consecration and the other forms of consecrations to Mary, it consists of total giving of oneself to Mary. Fr. Kentenich characterized Marian consecrations as a total and mutual exchange of hearts, goods and interests. Through this exchange, one grows in love, in one’s overall spiritual life and in the ability to fulfill one’s mission. In the catholic experience, Mary has proven to be an outstanding consecration partner, leading persons, and nations, communities and generations to a deeper fervor of love and commitment to Christ and the Triune God.