Secular Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt
Life within the Covenant, amid the world
Our community
Our place is out on the streets
“Our place is in the streets… We are present in the midst of the world”: with these words, our Founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, expressed what he wanted with the Secular Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt: a consecrated life according to the evangelical counsels in the midst of the world, in a globalized and largely secularized society.
15+
Countries
Argentina, Brazil, Czech Republic, Chile, Congo, Ecuador, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, USA
1946
FOUNDING
February 2nd: Constitution of the Institute by the founder, Fr. Joseph Kentenich; appointment of the first Superior General, Gertrud Gramlich.
Life Vocation
We embrace following Christ, like Mary
Our international community is part of the Schoenstatt Movement and lives according to its spirituality. The ideal and lifestyle of our Institute are embodied in Mary, who lived in the midst of the world among the men and women of her time, sharing their concerns and hardships as well as their joys. Thus, united to Mary in a covenant of love, we embrace the way that follows Christ.
Living in order to serve
How do we live?
Like the great majority of the members of our Institute, we live in our own homes, from which we carry out our profession and our apostolate. Personal contacts, periodic meetings and ongoing spiritual direction are essential tools. The strength to carry out this multiple commitment comes from our identification with the mission of the Institute and from our strong attachment to the community, which considers itself a family.
As professionals
To be a bridge between heaven and earth
All of us who make up this Institute continue to practice our respective professions. Each one of us is committed in our profession, from our consecration to God, to help shape our environment according to the spirit of Christ. Like Mary, we all want to accompany Christ today as co-workers. In this way, we make our daily life a part of our prayer, striving to imprint the face of Christ on the world in order to unite the world to God. Spiritual life and apostolic commitment support and complement each other.
Symbol
The Unity Cross, sign of our mission
In the Unity Cross given to us by our Founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, we see our mission as Schoenstatt Ladies expressed. Therefore, this cross is the sign of belonging to our community: it reminds us to fulfill our mission in the world and for the world as Mary did at the foot of the cross.
Vocation
The path towards the community of the Ladies of Schoenstatt
The path to community is progressive and takes place over a period of years. Those who are interested remain in their professions and in their usual living environment and attend meetings on a regular basis.
The introductory period allows for getting to know each other. The focus is on one's vocation and on the community. Is this community a suitable for my life? Will I find support in its spirituality? Will it help me develop my personality?
Ideally, the preparation is done with other candidates and a course community is formed. In the course they form a community of life that continues to meet regularly after the introductory period.
At the end of the introductory period, a temporary contract is signed with the Institute. After six years of temporary membership, and after a period of intense preparation, a permanent contract is sealed. This contract is a mutual commitment between the person and the Institute; it is a characteristic of all the Institutes of the Schoenstatt Movement and is the basis of belonging to the community.
Contact
Our contacts in the world
Need more information?
Our contacts in the world
Höhrer Str. 103, Zip code 56179, Vallendar, Germany
+49 (0)261/ 96263-0
frauen-von-schoenstatt.de
sekretariat@frauen-von-schoenstatt.de
