April 15–18, 2027, Costa Rica will host the Third International Congress of the Schoenstatt Family Work (CIOF). Under the motto “United Family, Shared Hope,” the gathering will bring together married couples from the Family Movement’s three communities—the League, the Federation, and the Institute—along with priests, sisters, and consecrated laywomen from 24 countries. Together, they will share experiences, deepen their understanding of Father Joseph Kentenich’s spirituality and pedagogy, and renew their mission to serve families, the Church, and society.
The Congress will be held at the ANDE International Convention Center (CIC–ANDE) in San José, with the Schoenstatt Shrine “Family of Hope” in Santa Ana serving as its spiritual center. Formation, exchange, and prayer will bring to life an experience of fraternal encounter, inspired by the Covenant of Love with Mary.
Preparation shared among Countries
Preparations are moving forward thanks to the joint efforts of the Costa Rican organizing team, the Schoenstatt continental coordinators for the Americas—Fr. Felipe Ríos and Sr. M. Kathia Martínez—and the married-couple delegates from seven countries. An important milestone was the Mini CIOF, held in Costa Rica from September 4–7, 2025, during which couples from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Paraguay worked on the Congress’s objectives and content guidelines.
Since then, the organizing committees have continued to develop the program, coordinate contributions from the countries, and prepare to welcome the delegations. Registration is underway, and preparations also include a spiritual journey inviting participants to accompany the Congress with prayer and contributions to the Capital of Grace.
The program will combine lectures, panel discussions, workshops, testimonies, and opportunities to share projects and ministries. Central themes will include the current challenges facing marriage and the family, educating and transmitting the faith to new generations, the impact of technology on family relationships, and the contribution of Schoenstatt pedagogy to emotional well-being. Experiences and tools will also be shared to support families and strengthen the formation and service of those who assume responsibilities in the Family Work, with special attention to the mission of married couples who serve as moderators.
Who can participate?
CIOF is an invitation-only gathering, with spots allocated proportionally to each country based on the estimated size of its Family Work. Participants will primarily be couples representing the various communities, with a special emphasis on those who accompany and work with the Family League, though participation is not limited to them. Participation is coordinated through national leaders and contacts.
The event includes countries from the Americas and the Caribbean, as well as Spain and Portugal. It will also feature guests from other communities and countries, whose presence will enrich the international exchange.
A Special Guest
The Congress will feature the participation of Dr. Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life. Her presence will offer a valuable opportunity for encounter and dialogue between the Schoenstatt Family Movement and the Church’s mission to serve marriage and the family.
A “family of families” at the service of the mission
For the Schoenstatt Movement, CIOF offers an opportunity to strengthen the Family Work through unity rooted in the diversity of vocations, cultures, and experiences. It will allow participants to learn how the charism is lived in different contexts, to share initiatives, and to learn from one another, while respecting each community’s uniqueness.
Its vision extends beyond the four days of the gathering: it aims for participating couples to return to their countries with strengthened bonds, new tools, and renewed apostolic zeal.
From Costa Rica, the entire Schoenstatt Family is invited to accompany this journey so that its fruits may reach many homes and communities: families who, in Covenant with Mary, may become a source of unity and hope for the world.
More information: www.ciofschoenstatt.org
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