“The European Congress of Schoenstatt Families 2004 was for us a defining experience when we got to know Schoenstatt,” share Maria and Anton Lilek: “The international atmosphere, the real-life experiences, the encounter with families from other countries that we did not know before and with whom we immediately had the same vibe and common values, that was powerful for us. – We felt that this is where we belong, that Schoenstatt is our way.

Motto of the congress: Family: Hope for the future

European Congress

In a subsequent conversation, they both make it clear that this is why they have decided to commit themselves to the European Congress of Schoenstatt Families, which this time will be held in Vienna in April 2023. The congress will take place in the newly rebuilt Schoenstatt Center in Kahlenberg.

At the meeting of the European Forum – the meeting of the Schoenstatt Families from 13 European countries responsible for planning the Congress – in the spring of this year in Munich, the motto of the Congress was jointly decided: Family: Hope for the future.

Content of the congress: core topics about the family

The content of the congress in Austria will be: What do we have to do to enable the family to have hope for the future?

Against the backdrop of current developments, the first full day of lectures and workshops on Saturday, April 29, will be devoted to an in-depth discussion and exchange of views on:

How to live in marriage and within the family.

– Participating and sharing: communication in marriage

– God in our midst – sacrament of marriage and sacrament of the altar

– Spaces of intimacy – all-encompassing love – sexuality

– Growing from within – The Marriage Ideal

– Creative and Sustainable Design – Alternative Lifestyle

The second full day, Sunday, April 30, will be dedicated to sharing experiences of successful projects:

Marriage and Family

Conclusion at the Cathedral: Mass with Bishop Glettler

European Congress

On the last day, May 1st, there will be a closing message and, as culminating point, a Holy Mass at 12:00 noon in St. Stephen’s Cathedral with Bishop Hermann Glettler, Bishop of Innsbruck and chairman of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference Commission for Families. The couples will have the opportunity to renew their marriage vows, and families and interested persons who are not participating in the congress are also invited to attend (both in person and online).

Further information can be accessed via email at familienkongress2023@schoenstatt.at, or via the following link in English:

https://schoenstatt.at/familienkongress2023-en.html

https://schoenstatt.at/familienkongress2023.html

Marriage Pedagogy