In the joy of the Lord’s Easter, the Church was surprised by the news of the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The Schoenstatt Family, living this moment in prayer, remembers the many encounters and moments shared with the Pontiff.
Today, we remember some significant events over the years. It’s impossible to document them all, but we’ve gathered a few moments that will never be forgotten by the Schoenstatt Family.
Remarkable Events
October 25, 2014 – The Great Encounter
A long and familiar conversation marked the meeting of the International Schoenstatt Family in 2014, on the centenary of the Covenant of Love. The five questions addressed to the Holy Father brought forth many answers that are, and will continue to be, material for reflection and guidance toward a life of holiness.
September 3, 2015 – Meeting with the Schoenstatt Fathers
Pope Francis received the Schoenstatt Fathers privately during their 5th General Chapter. On this occasion, they presented the Holy Father with the new general leadership of the Institute and their hopes and plans for the coming years. That same day, they symbolically handed over the key to the Original Shrine to the Pope. The Holy Father thanked them for the visit and, in his address, shared some reflections and advice – see the full text here.
October 26, 2017 – Meeting of Schoenstatt’s General Presidium with the Pope
The General Presidium of the Schoenstatt Work had the opportunity to greet Pope Francis after the Eucharist was celebrated at Casa Santa Marta. The Presidium members were gathered in Rome for a week of work and, on this occasion, could meet the Pontiff.
January 16, 2018 – The Sisters of Mary sing for the Pope in Chile
Pope Francis visited Chile from January 15 to 18. During the meeting with consecrated persons, 15 Sisters of Mary sang in the choir. One of the songs was “Rejoice, Mary!” (Alégrate María) composed by Sr. María del Rosario Argandoña, a Sister of Mary of Schoenstatt. Another choir also performed this song during the Pope’s meeting with Chile’s youth.
December 25, 2019 – The Pope blesses the Schoenstatt Nativity Scene
The nativity scene set up in Schoenstatt for Christmas 2019 won a contest organized by the Vatican on Facebook. The prize was the Holy Father’s blessing for the nativity scene (located in the Adoration Church) and for all who visited it. Journalists Inés Schaberger and Mario Galgán, from the German editorial staff of Vatican News, brought a photo of the nativity scene to the Pope for him to bless.
September 1, 2022 – Meeting with the Schoenstatt Fathers
At the end of their 6th General Chapter, the Schoenstatt Fathers met with Pope Francis. Read the full message here.
February 7, 2024 – The Schoenstatt Seminarians Get a Surprise
A joyful surprise filled the hearts of a group of young seminarians from the Schoenstatt Fathers. Unexpectedly, they were received by Pope Francis during the Wednesday General Audience – read more here.
October 16, 2024 – Pope Francis blesses the Belmonte crown
Three representatives of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement met with Pope Francis and requested his blessing for the crown of the International Shrine in Belmonte/Rome. The entire movement will offer the crown to the Mother of God in June 2025, and the MTA will be crowned as “Queen Mother of the Church” in Belmonte.
Apostolic Blessings
Many letters and apostolic blessings have been granted over the years. Below are a few examples:
Blessing for the Shrine of Caieiras, Brazil
On September 17, 2017, the Schoenstatt Family joyfully received the Pope’s message for the blessing of the Shrine in Caieiras, Brazil.
Blessing for the National Shrine of Florencio Varela, Argentina
Pope Francis was also spiritually present for the 70th jubilee of the National Shrine of Schoenstatt in Argentina. He sent a letter and a signed handkerchief. See more in the video:
Blessing for the Schoenstatt Youth of Brazil
On their way to World Youth Day in Lisbon, young people in Brazil faced many challenges and wrote to the Pope to share their journey. The Holy Father responded with a letter and his blessing in July 2023 – read more here.
Blessing for the Shrine of San Juan, Argentina
With great joy, the Schoenstatt Family of San Juan received the Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis, which was conveyed by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miroslav Adamczyk. The message was delivered on August 21, 2024.
Video Message and Blessing for the Shrine of Monterrey, Mexico
The Holy Father sent a video message to the Schoenstatt Family of Mexico for the inauguration of the Shrine of Monterrey on February 28, 2025.
Surely, many events have been overlooked. If you would like to share something you consider remarkable, write to info@schoenstatt.com.
Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías
