Mary

March 25, 2021 By Magdalena Rosario Lira

Serving the light within her

March 25, day of the Annunciation. Mary, a woman of faith, full of the Holy Spirit who accepts God's will and gives Jesus' light to the world.

Sister M. Lourdes Macías Graue
25 March 2021

Every year we celebrate with joy the feast of the Annunciation, where we relive when Mary, recognizing the great gift that God gives her of being the mother of his son, listens to the message, closes her eyes, internalizes it and, opening her eyes, pronounces her “Yes, I do”.

Through her acceptance she opens herself totally to God’s will and assumes her mission to serve the Light within her.

God, who has called Mary by her name because he knows her personally, can entrust to her the greatest treasure He possesses, his own son.

For this reason, the angel’s Annunciation to Mary is one of the most contemplated and meditated mysteries. It incorporates both the love of God for Mary (and in her for all mankind) and the love of Mary (and, along with her, the love of all mankind) for God our Lord.

Mary’s “I do” is a calling and a response, revelation and acceptance, choice and responsibility, mission and commitment.

To live is to be called and loved by someone for something, for a mission. Every man and every woman are created in the heart of God to fulfill His eternal plan and their journey through life should be the realization of God’s dream in history. The call is clear, certain, and constant. And the answer?

Following Mary’s example, many people, men and women, have decided to follow God’s call and serve the one who is the light, Christ.

We can say that the call to Mary through the angel is indicative of God’s actions towards man. We can observe this mainly in these three characteristics:

First, we could say that God has a preference for the humble, the insignificant, the simple. That is why he chooses Mary, the handmaid of the Lord. She is humble because she knows the infinite gap there is between God and her. Mary feels she is a simple and insignificant daughter of her people. That is why she is troubled when the angel greets her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

A second characteristic: For the truly great events in history and in our lives, God does not choose the turmoil and turbulence of the world, but rather chooses isolation and serenity. The greatest moments are often the most peaceful and unseen. This is also true for this unique encounter between heaven and earth: it takes place in the privacy and peace of Mary’s house, ignored by the world.

As a third point, the Annunciation reveals to us that God takes man and his freedom seriously. That is why he does not want to carry out his plans of salvation without man’s free collaboration and consent.

In the Gospel scene, God’s respect for the dignity and freedom of human beings is remarkably expressed. God gives Mary the possibility of accepting or rejecting her mission. God places humanity’s destiny in the hands of this humble virgin.

Mary’s response at this decisive hour is an example for all of us: “Yes, I will, let it be done to me according to your word”. She accepts, even though she does not see or understand. This is why the most extraordinary thing about Mary at the hour of the Annunciation is her faith.

March 12, 2021 By Magdalena Rosario Lira

The challenge of being a Woman

Schoenstatt constantly poses how to apply the principles of the Movement and F. Kentenich's vision regarding specific topics in current times. It is not about repeating phrases, but rather about prophetically analyzing the application of principles and values to our times, so that we may have an answer to our temporal reality.

Autora: Mg. Pierina Monte Riso, San Luis, Argentina
12 March 2021

Pierina Monte Riso - Institute of the Ladies of Schoenstatt

During 2020, we celebrated the joyous occasion of the 100th anniversary of women becoming part of the Schoenstatt Movement. It was a time highlighted by reflections on the subject of “being’’ and the mission of the woman from various perspectives: historical, spiritual, theological, social cultural, etc. These topics were truly enlightening, yet they also posed several questions: Are the subjects discussed by F. Kentenich during the last century still relevant? How can we live the vision of the ideal woman in our times? What are our challenges?

Present and everlasting challenges

First, we must understand that there are permanent challenges, in every time and every culture, related to the timeless essence of the feminine identity and there are other challenges that respond to questions, needs and aspirations of a specific time.

As never before, the role of women is being questioned today and we are faced with a conundrum: What does it mean to be a woman? What is a woman’s contribution? Being a woman has become a topic, and in many cases, a flagship. Women today do not want to be ignored and they demand to be taken into account. Traditional notions and ideas about being a woman are rejected. Feminist movements, as diverse as they can be, thrive to raise awareness, vindicate….

Woman, an image of God. Redefining the image of God.

According to F. Kentenich, what constitutes the essence of the feminine identity is her filial mindset which, far from representing the typical weak, passive, submissive and dependent being, refers to the greatness and strength of those who base their lives freely on the loving guidance of the one who governs the world’s destiny. The woman is totally fulfilled when she flourishes as a daughter before God.

The concept of womanhood is best understood as it is derived from God, and God is best understood as Jesus derives from a woman. The Gospel, whose purpose is to reveal the Father, is more comprehensible and vital through the woman, in whose spiritual genes childlikeness is inscribed as a fundamental attitude of life: being a woman is being a daughter and guiding others towards the Father (maternity).

The concept of childlikeness, however, is a dynamic process; we are daughters, but we are also in the process of becoming daughters. Our ideal consists of becoming more like the Son (Fil. 2,5), to experience his feelings. Thus, in order to actually live the ideal of childlikeness, it is important to understand what our image of God is. If we believe in a God that just compensates human achievements, a God who forbids and condemns, or who is a distant and unreachable Being, then it will be extremely difficult to comprehend the authentic childlike attitude which attracts the merciful power of love when we recognize and accept our own limitations.

Gertraud Von Bullion - Archives Schoenstatt International

Self-recognition of the dignity of being a woman; no need for stereotypes.

What challenges are posed by childlikeness in today’s women? Is it just a stage of growth towards independence? Can it encompass all the stages of life?

Kentenich affirms that the highest degree of fulfillment that we can aspire to must be full and mature childlikeness, which consists in recognizing the dignity of the woman, her own weaknesses, and her dependence and complete submission to God in all circumstances. It is an unequivocal Yes to God; to whatever He wishes to offer to us. It is a lifetime journey, the same road traveled by the Blessed Mother.

Having a woman’s value and dignity recognized has been a historical challenge, although many times it has been a search for outside acceptance and recognition. In that sense, one of the major challenges today for women is not only getting recognition from men or society as to their values, originality and rights, but perhaps more critical, her own self-knowledge, acceptance and self-esteem.

The woman needs the certainty of being loved by someone who does not impose any conditions to be worthy of that love. Choosing love and God is the original source of a dignified childlikeness, not a woman’s own merits or human endeavors.

Thus, filiality, accepting that she is loved by God, affords her a profound freedom that allows her to be authentic and original, without the need to fit stereotypes or labels proposed by the trending ideas of the moment, which ultimately massify and depersonalize women.

Recognition of her smallness before God: God loves us, not “in spite of

One of the notable challenges in a society that expects us to succeed in everything we undertake, is the recognition of our limitations, of our failures and our smallness. F. Kentenich emphasizes this when he affirms that “my misery, my acknowledged misery, accepted with confidence, is the greatest title that entitles us to God’s merciful love.” (1) From this perspective, our known and acknowledged weaknesses and limitations lead us to God, making us eligible to receive His mercy while allowing Him to act in our lives.

A woman today is constantly battling with herself. On the one hand, she has high aspirations and ideals; on the other hand, there are constant limitations that hinder those lofty aspirations. Pope Francis, in his Patris corde states: “we often believe that God relies only on the good and victorious part of us, when, in reality, He speaks to us through and in spite of our weakness most of the time’’. F. Kentenich would have added: not in spite of our weakness, but precisely because of such weakness. It is through our smallness that we can bear witness of God’s greatness in our lives and of the fact that we are mere instruments in His hands. Accepting our limitations does not make us weak. It makes us strong, just like Saint Paul boasted of his weaknesses. (2 Cor 12,9).

Accepting of her mission

Once she knows and has accepted herself, in her smallness as well as in her royal dignity, the woman still has a great challenge ahead to discover her personal mission and her role in the community. She has been created for something great! She has been created to be the soul of our society and culture.

Through the ages, the sensible humanity of women has been underscored, as we recognize her special receptivity to understand and comprehend the human condition, human reality and individual situations (pain, needs, personal longings,…). In a culture that values success, productivity and performance, the feminine value is a warning and call to action against excesses as she rectifies social, cultural and economic trends before we become desensitized and dehumanized. The woman represents a surplus of indispensable humanity as society struggles with the limits of progress and a greater existential realism.

Thus, Pope Francis has stated: “it is necessary to open up spaces for a more incisive feminine presence” (08/19/2013), and we may add: a more Marian, more pragmatic, practical, and organic presence.

Society needs women who are “strong and noble, simple and kind, spreading love and peace and joy”. (Heavenwards, Hymn of the Instruments, 609) In that sense, we can examine the challenge posed by the need to give oneself through service. We often regard service as a form of servitude, when, in essence, it is totally the opposite: it is a form of self-control and freedom as expressed by Christ (John 10, 18, Matthew 20,28). Service is the vivid expression and understanding of the Gospel, and of the selfless surrender of Jesus and Mary.

(1) Source: The merciful gaze of the Father. Joseph Kentenich, ed. Msgr. Peter Wolf, Santiago de Chile 2015, pp. 223-224.

She is being formed, maturing fundamentally in relationships

The feminine identity, on the other hand, is not formed or developed only on the basis of reflection, but rather from personal experiences and bonds in which her own being is revealed and confirmed. Women, just like men, are gradually formed, evolving fundamentally through their relationships. Within her true personal relationships, a woman finds meaning to her life, interpreting her inner aspirations. The absence of deep and meaningful bonds makes her hesitant with regards to her identity to the point of making her unable to answer to her own being.

Holding Mary’s hand

Within this overview of a woman’s search, vital discernment, and self-definition, the answer to the question regarding the feminine identity can only be found in life itself, in concrete persons who represent, embody and irradiate fullness of life as a woman; that is to say, women who serve as an immediate reference to other women, in whom the aspiration of others may be summarized.

On a supernatural level, the perfect role model to follow is the Blessed Mother. She can serve as the spiritual inspiration for attitudes that are then reflected in the way women live their lives to the fullest. She is a loyal daughter to the Father as well as the companion and collaborator in Jesus’ work. She teaches us the path to being childlike, dependent, serviceable, and all-giving. In other words, a woman’s current challenges go through Mary’s holiness as reference in order for her inner world to become visible, understandable and effective. When a woman encounters such a role model her heart is immediately lit up and she aims to live in that same spiritual world.

A great opportunity is a great challenge

The current situation represents a great opportunity for today’s woman. It is full of challenges. She cannot continue living as she has so far, but must get involved actively in public, social, cultural, and productive life, especially displaying with greater zeal and boldness her aspirations, her ideas, and her projects which must be a representation of her self and her ideal. She must permeate life in every situation and environment according to her profession, her vocation and her life status.

Experiencing a profound childlikeness will allow a woman the authenticity to which she aspires, the freedom she claims, the deep certainty of knowing that she is loved and accepted just as she is. This is the path towards a mature spiritual infancy, a path that we are called to travel and transmit with our lives and our beings.

March 7, 2021 By Magdalena Rosario Lira

International Women’s Day – drawing attention to equal rights

International Women's Day
drawing attention to equal rights

International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide on March 8th. Many things have been achieved, but many challenges remain that need to be worked on further to enable women to live in dignity, equality, with work, and non-violence.

Claudia Brehm, 8. March, 2021

History of the International Women’s Day

The roots of World Women’s Day or International Women’s Day lie in the workers’ movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In many countries, initially in Europe, women and female workers pleaded for a day on which they could campaign nationally, and later worldwide, in particular for equal rights, higher wages, and better working conditions for women, as well as for women’s right to vote and against discrimination.

International Women’s Day began to gain momentum when in 1975, the International Year of Women, the United Nations (UN) designated March 8th as the “United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and World Peace” and held a ceremony to mark the occasion. Shortly thereafter, the first UN World Conference on Women was held in Mexico City.

Themes

In subsequent years, on International Women’s Day the focus continued to be on one women’s rights issue at a time: sexual harassment in the workplace, employment opportunities for women, better education for girls, and protection of girls from unequal treatment and exploitation, female genital mutilation, and child marriage. Attention was drawn to the high number of women infected with AIDS (two-thirds of all women under the age of 24 in sub-Saharan Africa), and calls were made for violence against women and girls to be made a punishable offense throughout the world. Equal pay for equal work and minimum wages were demanded, and attention was drawn to the continuing oppression of women and girls and the particular dangers and suffering in war zones. In the last three years, the themes have been on gender equality and empowering women and girls in media, information, communications technology, and in politics.

International Women’s Day 2021

The UN’s motto for 2021 is “Women in Leadership: Towards an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.” March 8th aims to draw attention to the fact that the abundance and burden of tasks for women have increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Women are the ones who make up the largest percentage (76%) of the workforce in social and caregiving occupations. Women perform caregiving and support work in the home environment, childcare, home schooling, and housework. A UN study found that women do about three times the unpaid care work compared to men.

A new format for Miss Germany

I wonder if this is also a success of World Women’s Day. The beauty contest, which for many decades was based only on external beauty and consisted of a showcase in a male-dominated jury, has changed its format after much criticism from feminists. “Miss Germany” now promotes authentic and inspiring women who want to make a difference in society. Intensive encouragement among the women taking part in the competition will be the new guideline instead of discouragement and rivalry.

Women equal in value but different in their ways

Early on, Father Kentenich drew attention to the fact that women are equal in value, but different in their ways, and thus laid the foundation for a partnership between women and men in the Movement. Already in 1930 he formulated that “there was once a time when the public thought that history was only made by men. That was wrong. Women, too, have made history, and today more than ever they should powerfully influence the destinies of the world. Only we must expect and work towards it that she does not lose her essence, that the woman seeks and finds her mission.”

Under the main title “Joseph Kentenich’s vision of Women”, the article “The Social Change of the Image of Women – Ready for New Paths” which is worth reading, mentions that “what is decisive and remarkable is that he (Fr. Kentenich) had a lot of confidence in women. He encouraged them to act and to bring their abilities to bear. Women held offices in the new community with much spiritual, social and economic responsibility. Vocational training for women was an early goal for Kentenich. He encouraged young women to study and even to earn doctorates.”

100 Years – 100 Women

The video “100 Years – 100 Women”, produced in collaboration with Schoenstatt’s international women’s branches on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Movement, shows in an impressive way how women of different nations and ages have had formative experiences of their lives and their faith, how they cope with the challenges women face today, and what visions they have of changing the world a little more for the better through their own lives.

Equality and partnership

Marie-Luise Langwald, a member of the Secular Institute Our Lady of Schoenstatt, has worked with equality and partnership as constant themes in the pastoral care of women in which she has been active. She explains that “there are still women in the Church and in society who are not in the place where they belong. Equality, parity has not been achieved. Women hold high offices, but unfortunately, there are only a few in these positions. Especially in the economy, women are missing. The cause often lies in the career setback due to parental leave and the resulting lack of further qualification. Equality is still not a reality here. There is still a lot of ‘room for improvement,’ even in the Church.” A special “sister” for Marie-Luise is Mary, the Blessed Mother – especially as the woman of the Magnificat. She helps her to accompany women to their own greatness. Through the themes of man – woman, male – female, her image of God has broadened to a motherly God.

As a woman in the crossfire of great expectations

Éva Karikó, a Hungarian, member of the Family League, mother of four grown-up children, journalist, and life coach, is convinced that the greatest challenge for women today is that they live in a crossfire of great expectations: they are measured by professional success and they naturally have to be attractive, committed as mothers and at the same time be up to date wordly-wise, as well as committed to voluntary work. In social media, there are only women with a happy face, but in reality, they feel terribly alone and overwhelmed. The supportive environment is missing. So, together with others, Éva has made it her mission to launch projects to strengthen and enrich relationships. They support marriages, organize lunches for mothers with children, provide financial support for the needy, and organize talks. From her own experience, Éva knows the truth of Father Kentenich’s words when he says that “our wounds can become the breaking point of grace where God gives us a mission,” so she is also heartily grateful to God for the wounds of her life.

The service of small gestures

Maura Regina Santana de Jesus, from Brazil, is part of the Mothers’ Federation. She studied literature and postgraduate studies in legislative management, is the director of the Secretariat of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, and puts everything on the humble, faithful and constant service of small gestures. She is convinced that “good deeds – a kind word, kindness, a smile – touch people, both those who receive and those who give. They inspire the environment; they make it more human and strengthen the willingness to share. We all belong to one human family, and love for our neighbour must not discriminate in terms of race, creed, or economic power. We are created by the same heavenly Father who has instructed us to love one another.”

It is worthwhile to look again and again at the wide-ranging, different life stories of these 100 women. They contain many ideas and impulses for one’s own life and show how being a woman can be implemented responsibly and authentically in our time.

To all women, we wish you a happy and successful International Women’s Day. In the Original Shrine near THE great woman, on March 8th a candle will burn for all the women of this world.

March 6, 2021 By Magdalena Rosario Lira

Fr. Juan Manuel Pérez Romero – Servant of Mary in Mexico

Fr. Juan Manuel Pérez Romero
Servant of Mary in Mexico

On January 26, 2021, Fr. Juan Manuel Pérez Romero returned home to our Heavenly Father, where Mary embraces him as one of her beloved children. Fr. Juan Manuel was a true example of love for Mary, a faithful servant and instrument, who collaborated in the founding of Schoenstatt in Mexico. The Schoenstatt family, his spiritual children, with great sorrow but fully confident in God, is grateful for his commitment, which has strengthened their spiritual life and fruitfulness. He understood and lived the mission of the Covenant in a way that continues to conquer hearts for the Blessed Mother.

Pablo Arias, 6. March 2021

Providence led his servant to the encounter with Mary.

While he was studying in Germany as a seminarian, Fr. Juan Manuel was led by Providence to Fr. Kentenich’s funeral, and his heart was transformed by the Marian devotion in Schoenstatt, where he found his core in the Blessed Mother’s collaboration with Jesus, through the family, the Schoenstatt Movement and Father Kentenich’s ideal “Dilexit Ecclesiam”.

It was then that he committed himself to Schoenstatt’s mission for the Church and the world. He immersed himself in Schoenstatt’s history and spirituality during his stay in Europe and later in South America, where Father Kentenich’s charisma was embedded in him, in his fatherly way, in his way of loving, and his way of teaching and sharing love and devotion to the Blessed Mother, Jesus and the Church.

The Blessed Mother’s land calls to Schoenstatt

Upon their return to Mexico, the Sisters of Mary from Lamar, Texas, felt the Blessed Mother’s calling to establish and found Schoenstatt in their country, and through God’s will, they met Fr. Juan Manuel on April 12, 1974. Their paths crossed and the Blessed Mother’s work began to bear fruit through the instrumentality and service of Fr. Juan Manuel.

He began to speak about the Movement and to organize groups: youth, couples and even seminarians who, like the first flowers of Mary’s Garden in Mexico, began to work for the construction of the daughter Shrine in Querétaro. In spite of being a rough terrain, the Blessed Mother and her plans indicated that this would be the place where she wanted to establish herself and, on October 18, 1980, the first Schoenstatt Shrine in Mexico was blessed: “Mary, Mother and Queen, faithful heart of the Church”.

Servus Mariae

Fr. Juan Manuel’s life speaks for itself. He called himself a “servant of Mary dedicated to her mission”. His love for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Sorrows Lady of Soriano and Our Lady of Schoenstatt was so great that his entire life and service were consecrated to Mary.

Testimonies: close and friendly

The testimonies of those who knew him highlight his paternal and loving figure; not as a “distant, important, and unreachable mystical figure, but as someone close, someone who would remain with you and become a true friend,” shares Raymundo Cervantes, who had Fr. Juan Manuel as his confessor and spiritual director. “That had an impact on my heart, because he always cared about the other person and about showing him God’s love” – he explains.

He taught me to trust

Ariel González, who was touched by Fr. Juan Manuel during his postulancy with the Schoenstatt Fathers, says that he learned from him how to receive the Blessed Mother’s special mission, since “belonging to Schoenstatt is a special call from God through Mary, where, through her inspiration and care, we are chosen as her collaborators”, said Ariel. “Father Juan Manuel taught me to trust being the Blessed Mother’s instrument, to listen to her and to love her by responding to her petitions. He was a special servant of Mary and he conquered my heart,” he concludes.

He was coherent

Another of his beloved spiritual sons, Chucho Picón, also had Father Juan Manuel as his confessor and spiritual director. He testifies: “He had the qualities of a true servant” and “was consistent; he lived to be a priest, and always had a busy schedule. He was a professor at the seminary, gave conferences to different groups and tended to his parish. He always had someone to meet with and never wasted time. He was always writing, reading, educating himself, praying.”

Father Kentenich’s spirit lived in him.

“He was always a teacher and his way of teaching, through his words or through his books impressed me” – says Raymundo. And Chucho shares: “His Masses were didactic and pedagogical, he went deeper into the Scriptures, he linked the ideas and repeated the concepts. I always left with his message imprinted on me”.

He was determined and reachable, passionate about transmitting God’s love as experienced through a faithful covenant. “I remember once I saw him on September 15 praying in the Shrine; it captivated me and now I understand that on that same day years before, he had been praying next to Father Kentenich at his own funeral.” – said Raymundo.

He was a father to me

“He was a special father, he had special gifts and a deep sensitivity for the sacraments and the souls in purgatory” – shares Chucho – “Many of the other priests made fun of him because of his special gifts, such as his gift of healing. He healed me, my wife and my children. He was a great exorcist and a great warrior against the devil” – he continues.

Just like Fr. Kentenich, who was accused and questioned for his ideas and keen perception of God, Fr. Juan Manuel managed to touch the hearts of those who were open to his paternal influence in their lives.

Chucho shares “He was a father to me; he adopted me so he could guide me spiritually. He was demanding, he molded me and required improvements in my spiritual and professional life, but always with great love. Even though he expected radical changes, I always felt comfortable in his presence”.

There was no doubt that he had a deep understanding of the Blessed Mother’s love, love for the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confession. “He was a father guided by his love for the Blessed Mother, he was completely Marian” – says Chucho.

The legacy: Mary was his ally

His love for the Blessed Mother brought Schoenstatt to Querétaro; the first Shrine in Mexico and the first step for the consolidation of the Schoenstatt Family in the country. This was one of his greatest gifts and legacies.

“Mary was his ally and he was able save many souls as her instrument,” shares Chucho, who concludes with special affection: “I wish that someday a memorial or a plaque could be placed at the Shrine, where his life and legacy could be commemorated. I am sure that he is in heaven and if it is ever possible, I could promote the cause for his sainthood; I have videos and interviews of him”.

If you want to know more about the history of Fr. Juan Manuel and the beginnings of Schoenstatt in Mexico, visit https://www.diocesisqro.org/homenaje-al-sr-pbro-lic-juan-manuel-perez-romero-1948-2021/.

Translated by Marisa Lencina

September 8, 2020 By Luciana Loyola

The greatest love: a YES to God’s call.

Against all odds and with the blessing of our Mother in Heaven, three young women from Brazil arrived at the Original Shrine to present their formal postulation to the Schoenstatt sisters.

By Luciana Loyola

With more than 10 hours of flight time and after a long road to cross the continents, the postulants of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary arrived at the Original Shrine in Vallendar to begin their course of preparation for the beginning of this blessed process. Representing Brazil, from São Paulo, Paraná and from the interior of the State of São Paulo, the three young women arrived with much enthusiasm and predisposition for what will be the beginning of a stage of profound formation.

Under a rigorous control and healing measures due to the pandemic that affects the entire world, the girls of the Girls’ Youth were finally able to participate in their first Mass from the Original Shrine as candidates given to the entire will of our Father God and our Queen of Schoenstatt.

Aline, Thalita and Larissa are the new postulants who even during a pandemic have firmly accepted to fulfill the will of our Father. An unprecedented journey to reach this place of grace that is the Schoenstatt Shrine.

In the video below you can appreciate the arrival of the 3 heroic young women from Brazil. The international Schoenstatt family wishes them much strength and encouragement in this new beginning.

To all viewers: please select the correct subtittle in the video, in the configuration button, in this way you can enjoy the content in your language of preference.