On Saturday, July 11, in the shadow of the Schoenstatt National Shrine in Guayaquil, a new chapter in the history of the Schoenstatt Movement in Ecuador was written. Eighteen women officially began their journey with the Schoenstatt Apostolic Federation of Mothers in Ecuador, forming a community called to grow in holiness and to serve the Church and the Schoenstatt mission with generosity.
The day began with a profound moment of Eucharistic adoration. Before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the future members offered thanksgiving for the call they had received and entrusted this new beginning to the Holy Spirit. His presence has accompanied this journey from the very first day, offering clear signs that He guides and sustains this nascent community.
A True Community of Hearts
Afterward, Fr. Miguel Kast presided over Holy Mass. In his homily, he reminded everyone that what was being born that day was not merely a formation course but an authentic community of hearts, called not only to be formed but also to place the gifts God has given each one at the service of others. He strongly urged those present not to be afraid to transform the world through their vocation.
His words were engraved in everyone’s hearts:
“Perhaps in fifty years, many women will belong to this Federation and will not know the names of those who were here today. But they will live by the faith, dedication, and the ‘yes’ you pronounced at this beginning.”
Eighteen mothers sign the founding document
One of the day’s most significant moments was the initiation rite, led by Marta Elena Vera. There, each woman felt certain she was personally called by God and responded with a generous “yes” to this vocation within Schoenstatt. Aware of the responsibility they are taking on, the new members embrace this path with the desire to grow in holiness and to continue faithfully serving the mission that Father Joseph Kentenich bequeathed to his Work. During this rite, the 18 members also signed a document certifying the founding of the community.
The members of the first class of the Apostolic Federation of Mothers of Ecuador are: Adriana Aguirre, Adriana Romero, Alexandra Macías, Aura Meitzner, Belén Vásquez, Daniela Romero, Erika Mesa, Fanny Bravo, Isabel Pazmiño, Isabel Quinde, Jenny Alvear, Katya Faggioni, María Eugenia Molina, María Inés González-Artigas, Marisel Kronfle, Marissa Herrera, Sandra Robalino, and Vanessa Calderón. We have members from Guayaquil, Manta, and Quito.
The celebration continued with a warm, friendly lunch gathering. It was an opportunity to get to know one another better, share experiences, laugh, and give thanks together for this gift from God. Every detail radiated the joy of a sisterhood just beginning to take shape.
A New Chapter Begins
The event was honored by the presence of Marta Elena Vera, a member of the first course of the Mothers’ Federation in Paraguay and the educator for this new course in Ecuador, whose experience and testimony have been fundamental to this process. Also present was Fr. Miguel Kast, who will serve as spiritual assistant to this nascent community.
As the Schoenstatt Family, we unite in prayer that this new community may always remain faithful to its vocation, live its Covenant of Love deeply, and bear abundant fruit for the Church, families, and the Schoenstatt Movement in Ecuador. For this is not simply the beginning of a course: God has begun a new story, and we are only just beginning to witness its first chapters.
