On September 12, the “Shrine of Unity,” near the place where Joseph Engling died in northern France, will celebrate its 60th anniversary. In this region of Cambrai, in 1918, under the bombardments of World War I, the life of Father Kentenich’s young collaborator ended. He had affirmed that Joseph was “the living Founding Document of Schoenstatt.”
The celebration will begin on September 12, 2025, with a vigil of praise. On Saturday, September 13, the jubilee celebration will continue. The program includes an exhibition on the history, the live testimony of Fr. Jacques Bernard, who helped build the Shrine, the “Run and Pray” race on Josefsweg, with the presence of Bishop Vincent Dollmann, known as the “sports bishop” of Cambrai, who has confirmed his participation, and, finally, at 4:00 p.m., the solemn Holy Mass in the Shrine.
Sanctuaire de l’unité – Shrine of Unity
Those who visit the Shrine of Unity today can experience with joy and admiration how Joseph Engling and the Schoenstatt Shrine move hearts, following the motto “nothing without us,” together with their collaborators. Since October 2023, the Sisters of Mary have been living and working in Cambrai again. Sister M. Resia Käppeler is responsible for pastoral care at the Shrine and manages the “Foyer de Schoenstatt” guest house. Sister M. Luisa Werner takes care of the physical well-being of the guests, as well as the maintenance of the house and garden, with the help of volunteers who come every week to help with cleaning and other tasks.
Visit of the “Queen of the New Evangelization of Europe”
This year, the auxiliary image of the Pilgrim Mother, which is traveling throughout Europe, visited France with the title “Queen of the New Evangelization of Europe.” There were several encounters with the Mother of God, such as an evening of singing with a large turnout, entitled “Singing to Mary, Queen of Peace, Hope of the Peoples,” prepared by a friendly musical group. Before each song, Sr. M. Resia read letters from Joseph Engling.
A group of French people took advantage of Covenant Day to make a pilgrimage to Flanders in the footsteps of Joseph Engling. They visited the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette memorial, where more than half a million names of victims of World War I are engraved on a large commemorative circle. Among them is Joseph Engling. With the image of the “Queen of the New Evangelization of Europe,” they retraced Joseph Engling’s last journey from Eswars to the field where he died on October 4, 1918, hit by a grenade. In their luggage, they carried the great plea for peace for Ukraine and all regions of the world at war.
Monthly celebrations for peace in a place of international visits
A special joy for Joseph Engling is undoubtedly the “Holy Mass for Peace,” which has been celebrated monthly in his Shrine for the past year. This is an initiative of Pax Christi in collaboration with the Diocese of Cambrai. Thanks to this, the Shrine is becoming increasingly well-known. And this is evident: not a day goes by without visitors to the Shrine of Unity: people who pray in silence, groups of first communicants from neighboring parishes, and groups of women and families who regularly attend meetings. Pilgrims also come from other countries following in the footsteps of Joseph Engling: in recent months, a couple from Texas, young people from Switzerland, the international postulancy of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, young people from the Schoenstatt Youth of the Diocese of Rottenburg, Schoenstatt Fathers from Burundi, etc. Among others, a group from Poland, young people from Schoenstatt in Mexico, and the diocese of Freiburg are expected to arrive. Cambrai, with the testimony of Joseph Engling’s life, is truly a place for the International Schoenstatt Family.
French pilgrims at the Original Shrine
Together with the vicar general of the diocese of Cambrai, Father Abbé Mathieu, more than 50 French pilgrims accepted Sister M. Resia’s invitation to participate in a pilgrimage to the Original Shrine in Germany. Among other things, they took part in the Corpus Christi procession on Mount Schoenstatt and were impressed and happy with this celebration of faith, which is little known in France.
Special program
At each Holy Mass celebrated in the Cambrai Shrine (daily, Tuesday through Friday), the French Schoenstatters are currently praying the preparatory prayer for the anniversary celebration of the Shrine, for which many people are expected to visit from near and far. The brothers of Mary Dietger M. Kuller and Klemens M. Holländer are in charge of the necessary renovations so that the Shrine will look its best during the jubilee.
Program:
Friday, September 12:
Opening of the Jubilee “Mary, Queen of Unity”
6:00 p.m. – Mass
7:30 p.m. – Vigil of Praise
Saturday, September 13:
10:00 a.m. – Welcome
Exhibition on history with Fr. Jaques Bernard
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 p.m. – Film
2:30 p.m. – “Run and Pray” race
4:00 p.m. – Solemn Holy Mass, presided over by Monsignor Vincent Dollmann
5:30 p.m. – Renewal of the Covenant of Love
Source: schoenstatt.de
Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías