From September 15 to 17, a meeting of the Schoenstatt Movement’s directors and the Sisters of Mary responsible for the Movement in the American continent took place in Santa Maria (Brazil). The Continental Coordination of America, currently led by Fr. Felipe Ríos from Ecuador and Sr. M. Katia Martínez from Paraguay, met after the International Congress of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate.
Fr. Felipe explains that the objective of this meeting was “to reflect together on the challenges of the Movement’s development and to share best practices.” The International Schoenstatt Coordination also attended the meeting, represented by Fr. Arkadiusz Sosna and Sr. M. Cacilda Becker.
Current topics highlighted
The joyful atmosphere that prevailed at the great International Congress preceding this meeting spread to all the participants, who shared moments of gratitude.
According to the continental coordinators, the topics discussed concern the life of the Movement in general. Fr. Felipe points out some of the topics discussed: “The topics we chose to work on were discussed beforehand. Among them was a review of the development of the Coordination over the last two years. A reflection on the Family League, the CIOF 2027, and the challenges faced by lay moderators in today’s reality. We also talked about youth, how to develop that branch further with the resources we have; the integration of more lay moderators; the fruits of international meetings (Ignis, RTA, and the Voices of Hope youth congress); the transition of young people to subsequent communities; and the challenge posed by the new middle age (25 to 35 years old). There was also a reflection on consecrated life and the vocations needed in Schoenstatt”.
Other topics were also highlighted, as Fr. Felipe Ríos points out: “Communication in Schoenstatt: social networks, websites, communication policies… The ‘We Are All Schoenstatt’ campaign.” We also reviewed our pastoral work for the shrines, our common work as consecrated advisors, and our access to the figure of our founder and the ways to connect with him.“
Architects of Unity
The National Director of Argentina, Fr. Santiago Ferrero, mentions the importance of this face-to-face meeting: “Service to the Movement consists of serving both unity and life, two elements that must be intertwined. In our countries and communities, we promote the life of the Shrine and the culture of the Covenant that springs from it. In the advisors’ groups and in these coordination spaces, we work as architects of unity, listening to each other, learning from each other, bringing positions closer together so that our organization also reflects that unique life that springs from the Covenant of Love.”
For Fr. Felipe Ríos, working together “is important because we have the privilege of sharing not only a common language, but also a similar culture and faith. This allows us to enrich each other and exchange materials, experiences, and practices. It is also an opportunity to coordinate activities and formation, among other things.”
One of the tasks of the Continental Coordination is to stimulate the life of the Movement on the continent, fostering cooperation and inspiration among countries for the promotion of the common apostolate of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement in the Americas.
Translation: Maribel Acaron