From the very beginning, the various mission sites have been integral to the first hundred years of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary’s history. These were places where the sisters served admirably and enriched the stream of blessings in the community’s history through encounters with the people living there, shared experiences, and common destinies.
Often, these places had to be left behind for various reasons, and the final farewell was painful for both sides. Yet just as often, something remained there: an image of the MTA, small Schoenstatt religious traditions that had been cultivated together, and grateful memories.
A “100 Places for 100 Years” Initiative
This initiative in Germany, for the “100 Places for 100 Years” jubilee, draws on this strong historical and vital current and seeks to unite it with the stream of blessings of the jubilee year. In 2026, small groups of Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary will visit as many of these former mission sites as possible to reconnect with the local people.
“We want to express our gratitude for the open doors and hearts that have accompanied and supported our sisters’ work over these 100 years,” states the initiative team of the Sisters’ Community. And: “In our Jubilee Year, the Blessed Mother must once again, through us, go out to the people in those places where our sisters have lived and worked: in cities and parishes, schools and daycare centers, hospitals, etc.”
Launch in Father Kentenich’s home diocese
The launch has already taken place: on February 10, 2026, the day commemorating the opening of the beatification process for Father Kentenich (February 10, 1975) in his home diocese of Cologne. A simple gathering was held at the “Covenant with the Father” Shrine in Cologne. The five Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, who traveled to Cologne for the occasion, prayed in the Shrine and presented the Blessed Mother with a bouquet of roses to entrust the initiative to her and offer her the first thanks.
Some Schoenstatters from the surrounding area were invited to a spontaneous moment of prayer at the Shrine, followed by a gathering, and they brought cakes and coffee as a surprise. After the moment of prayer, they had coffee together, talked, and rejoiced. “Yes, it was a very special afternoon,” confirmed one of the participants.
Follow-up at a German-Polish gathering in Wiesbaden
On February 21, another event took place at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Wiesbaden-Freudenberg, as part of a German-Polish gathering.
For 27 years, a single Sister of Mary had dedicated her whole heart there to the Schoenstatt Center of the Diocese of Limburg, to the Shrine, and above all, to the people: Sr. Rosemarie Oswald (1936–2022). In 2012, she had to leave the place for health reasons.
The doors of the center opened for the anniversary celebration, and even more so, hearts opened for the encounter with the Sisters of Mary who had come from Schoenstatt and Dietershausen.
A personal experience of the anniversary
Sister M. Brigitt Rosam, originally from the Diocese of Limburg and personally connected to the Wiesbaden Shrine, experienced the gathering as a great enrichment. She and the three Polish Schoenstatt Sisters, who had come to give gifts to others, were themselves the ones who received gifts: “It was truly beautiful and surprising to be welcomed and given a white rose even before arriving at the Shrine!”
Sister M. Antonia Stanek, who had initiated the gathering, gave thanks in a prayer that sprang from her heart. After Holy Mass, the Weidtmann couple invited everyone to continue the celebration at the Father Kentenich House. There, a wonderful anniversary buffet had already been prepared, lovingly arranged by the participants of the Polish mission. The personal testimonies of Sr. M. Antonia and Sr. M. Małgorzata Andrzejkowicz were perceived as the highlight of the program: impressive examples of how God accompanies every journey with patience and love.
An act of hope
Giving hope is the true goal of this Jubilee Initiative. The Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary are driven by a great hope that has a name: Mary! The team puts it this way: “Mary is the light of our hope. We want to carry this light and give hope to the people of our country.”
An initiative of hope, then.
Contact information for inquiries, questions, and requests regarding the Jubilee initiative “100 Places for 100 Years”: hundert.orte@s-ms.org
