For more than 20 years the Schoenstatt Family in Bogotá has been searching for its Shrine. In the 1980’s the first Pilgrim MTAs arrived in the city, as well as the first Schoenstatt advisors, Father Humberto Salgado and Sister Eugenia María Muñoz. The Movement started to get organized, and the first Covenant of Love Masses began to be celebrated. Thus began the formation of the Schoenstatt family. For many years our advisors also traveled to other cities, such as Medellin, Cali, Pereira, and Armenia, spreading the spirituality and teachings of Father Joseph Kentenich.

After about 16 years, around the time of the Jubilee celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Movement, we found our Blessed Mother’s House in Bogotá, where we have had the opportunity to form ourselves and celebrate Covenant of Love Masses together on the 18th of each month. It has been a home for many and a place of formation for the branches and life currents. The presence of the Blessed Sacrament has been of great importance for the celebration of the Eucharist, the Holy Hour, and some prayer vigils.

For the past two years we have had the collaboration of Father Miguel Kast, who has provided us with solid support in the construction of the Shrine. With the effort of all the branches and the help of the Schoenstatt Fathers and the Sisters of Mary, we now have most of the symbols for the Shrine. On December 7, 2021, Father Miguel blessed the foundation stone, which was specially transported from Monserrate Hill, a traditional place, which is located in the eastern hills of the city.

All that remained was to find the right place for the construction of the small chapel. Located in the hills of Suba, in the northwestern part of Bogota, we have found an ideal place for the “Heaven’s Door” Shrine, in which we hope that our Blessed Mother, the Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt, will establish her favorite place, as a gift for the perseverance and missionary work of many people who today form the Schoenstatt Family in Bogota. The land is located at 156 Street 80 55.

With a beautiful Eucharistic celebration presided by Father Miguel on Sunday, May 14, the land that our MTA has chosen to build her Shrine was blessed. We are especially grateful for Father Humberto Salgado’s collaboration and constant support, as well as that of Father Fernando Palacio. Of course, our gratitude goes to the Sisters of Mary Eugenia María Muñoz, Monserrat Darquea, Amparo Villouta, Pilar del Campo and M. Emilia Loor, from whom we have received the best preparation to make the Covenant of Love with Mary come alive in us.

Under the motto “Come, build and conquer the Door to Heaven”, we are walking with a steady step and plenty of capital of grace towards the first Schoenstatt Shrine in Bogota.