Lively songs everywhere, tearful emotions, joyful embraces… The Original Schoenstatt Shrine is the setting for many activities and multiple feelings throughout this week. Approximately one thousand youth are arriving to participate in two international meetings that will be held simultaneously from July 25-27.
Groups from various countries have already arrived at Schoenstatt and others are still arriving. “It’s quite impressive to experience the fullness of life here in the Shrine: the joy, the excitement, the young people dancing. They jump, they celebrate… Schoenstatt really seems to be rejuvenated during these days,” comments the sacristan of the Original Shrine, Sister M. Vanda Friedrich.
Groups from at least 20 countries will be present, including Portugal, Germany, Croatia, Spain, Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Nigeria, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, the United States, and South Africa.
Two international meetings
Two international meetings are being held simultaneously in Schoenstatt:
- The Girl’s Youth RTA Jubilee
- The Boy’s Youth Ignis
To conclude these two events, there will be a joint encounter of the two youth groups, the “Rise.” About 660 young women from the Girls’ Youth and more than 300 boys from the Boys’ Youth are expected to attend.
Eight daily Masses in the Original Shrine
With the arrival of the different groups, the number of Masses and activities has more than doubled in the Original Shrine.
– On July 22, a total of seven Masses were celebrated
– On July 23, five Masses
– On July 24, eight Masses.
“In the sacristy, we take turns to be in the Shrine. It is a great joy to see these young people, and it is also a time of great expectation for the international meetings that will be the highlight of the pilgrimage,” says Sr. M. Vanda.
Towards Rome
At the end of these intense days of activities, the Schoenstatt youth will make a pilgrimage to Rome to participate in the Youth Jubilee.
The parish run by the Schoenstatt Fathers in Rome will be a focal point during the jubilee. There, Catholic youth from all over the world will have a place to be welcomed and learn more about our spirituality. A special event will be the concert organized jointly by the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement and the Shalom Community, open to all youth, on July 30.
Rome will also host an international gathering of Schoenstatt Youth leaders, the Voices of Hope Congress, which will bring together representatives from all countries.
Stay up to date
Follow the various activities through the official Instagram channels:
Translation: Maribel Acaron
