Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement

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Mother: you must lead our Family

Mother: you must lead our Family

Schoenstatt media community crowns Mary in the Original Shrine

December 17, 2020 - M. Nilza P. da Silva
Webcam Original Shrine - Schoenstatt International

“We say to Mary: you must lead our Family, each and every member, every son and daughter of the Family. We give you this right, you must be the Queen! This is how Father Joseph Kentenich prayed in a moment of great difficulty for Schoenstatt and for the entire world at the coronation of Mary in the Original Shrine on December 10, 1939. The history of the International Schoenstatt Movement and its personal life history prove how seriously the Blessed Mother took the coronation.

“Here we are full of gratitude, to give you responsibility and rights, choosing you as the Queen of Schoenstatt Communication. Last December 10th, about 60 communicators from eight countries joined a prayer from the Original Shrine via online. 

Almost all of them are volunteers, enthusiasts, called and chosen by God to take the Schoenstatt charisma, Father Kentenich’s mission to the Church and the entire world. “We want to thank them for all the support and kindness that we, as Schoenstatt International, have experienced. 

We are grateful for the commitment of each one, especially in the translations to the different languages and in the critical revision. Thank you very much for the quick, honest and spontaneous responses you have expressed to us. Blessed Mother, we want to thank you for so many small miracles,” expressed Hemma Strutz, from Austria, in her prayer.

Zoom meeting communication team - Schoenstatt International

The proposal for the crowning in the Original Shrine originated from the communicators of Brazil and through Sister M. Cacilda Becker, from the International Coordination, it quickly inflamed the hearts of Germany, the USA, France, Austria, Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile. The diversity of languages is not a problem when the hearts speak the same language. We want to act together with all decision makers in this historic hour and contribute so that future generations can narrate the victorious achievements of our Queen.

In Brazil it was a whole day of crowning. The communicators who could not meet with the others because of their work, received the coronation prayer the day before and they connected to the Original Shrine by webcam early in the morning. An international group met at 8:30 p.m. from Germany and the last group met two hours later at 8:30 p.m. from Brazil. We believe that the Original Shrine has never received so many Schoenstatt communicators together. At the altar, the Virgin contemplated the name of each one, on printed sheets in which each person also wrote their personal intentions for the coronation.

A coronation that connects

During the coronation, in the Original Shrine, the communicators from Araraquara, in the State of Sao Paulo, also crowned a small image of the Virgin of Schoenstatt, gathered in their local shrine. It will travel to the residence of the members of the Communication Team, always reaffirming their confidence in the Queen.

In Poços de Caldas, in the State of Minas Gerais, the coronation also took place in the Shrine. It counted with the participation of many others through the social networks. Monique Vaz, from Mairiporã/SP, joins a small crown with the logo of the communicators of Brazil, making clear to the Queen her mission.

Webcam Original Shrine - Schoenstatt International

A coronation that inspires and transmits

Enthusiasm for the mission is coupled with responsibility for the consequences of what is communicated. For this reason, among the petitions that are entrusted to the Queen of Communication, all pray with Father Joseph Kentenich: all resistance may be overcome which obstructs our fruitfulness and prevents others from seeing the Father’s plan in faith. Help it to spread throughout the world and go victoriously through all the nations that soon there be one flock and one shepherd leading all peoples to the Trinity. Amen. (Heavenwards, 527-528)

All renew the Covenant of Love with the Queen and undertake a mission, remaining connected by the Queen’s heart, as instruments committed to setting the world on fire. As brothers in the Covenant they experience that in unity there is strength, and it is in sharing that all are enriched.

“In the heart of Mary we are united,” wrote Ana Christina Melquiades of the Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, at the end of the day of the coronation. “Everything for our Queen and for the mission of communication,” adds Caroline Moraes de Freitas, from Pocos de Caldas.

Source: Schoenstatt Brasil

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AFRICA – BECOMING A CONTINENT

AFRICA – BECOMING A CONTINENT

December 3, 2020 - Interview with M. Iona Mackenzie

Sister M. Iona comes from Zimbabwe and joined the community of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in South Africa in 1975. During these 45 years she worked in her profession as a nurse and in the Schoenstatt Movement, studied pedagogy and administration on the side and finally was Provincial Superior from 2003-2015. Currently she is responsible as Superior for the Sisters in the Provincial House in Constantia. Her sphere of activity, however, extends beyond South Africa to Kenya and Nigeria.
Sister M. Iona, you have entered our community in Constantia/South Africa, but your home country is Zimbabwe.

How did you get to know the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary?

My mother is from Cape Town. Her biological sister worked there in the nurse training. That is why I did my training at the Nurses’ College there. One of my teachers was Sister M. Ursula Poetschki, through her I got to know Schoenstatt.South Africa was the first country to which our community sent missionary sisters in 1933. 

They experienced the missionary work there as “quarry work”. What was the reason for this?

It is not easy to say; there are several reasons. First, the country is a Catholic diaspora. When our sisters went there in 1934, if I remember correctly, only 3% of the population was Catholic. Today it is about 8%. The majority of the Catholic population did not show much interest in deepening their life of faith, and the Xhosa in the Eastern Cape, where the sisters began, were not easy to evangelize. There were also many well-established religious congregations in the country with 50/60 years of missionary experience. Our community was young and had a new style. In 1939 the Second World War began – South Africa cooperated with Great Britain, and our sisters as Germans could not work. Finally in 1948 the National Party came to power, which established the system of apartheid and severely hindered the work of the Catholic missions.

What are the main focuses of your missionary work today?

In South Africa, we see our most important task in rooting people more deeply in the faith. The care of the pilgrimage movement and the pastoral work in the five Schoenstatt Shrines serve this purpose, but not least the apostolate of the Pilgrim Mother. In addition, our Founder, who took on the many difficulties during his visit in 1948, directed the Sisters’ attention to the whole of Africa and beyond to the English-speaking countries. He himself appointed three sisters who traveled from South Africa to Texas the following year to begin a new foundation there. In 1961 the province sent sisters to England, Scotland and Ireland, and in 1962 three of our sisters began missionary work in Mutumba, Burundi, at the request of the Bishop of Bujumbura.

Since 1999 you have been actively involved in building the Schoenstatt Movement in Kenya. In your opinion, what is the task of Schoenstatt for the Church in this country? What special challenges are there?

In Kenya, as in other African countries, there are various Marian movements in which the visions and apparitions of the Blessed Mother play a major role. Often messages are spread that do not correspond to Catholic teaching. At the explicit request of the bishops, it is our task to take up the Marian love of the Kenyans and to lead them to a solid Christian life in everyday life. A special emphasis is for us the youth work.

A big challenge is that we have not been able to establish a branch in Kenya so far. We are too few sisters in the province for this. Although two young Kenyan women have joined our community in the meantime, we are only present in the country for a few weeks each year. In 2008 you also traveled to Nigeria for the first time at the invitation of the Schoenstatt Fathers. 

What was the purpose of this trip and what experiences did you have?

A Schoenstatt Father, who was already active in Nigeria, contacted the general administration in Schoenstatt several times and asked them to send a Sister because there were young women there who wanted to enter our community. However, we did not want to go there under any circumstances. We had already begun so much with just a few Sisters and we did not want to start again in a new country. But in the end I went there myself to take up the situation. On this first trip I was able to form groups for young women and for mothers. We then decided that Sister M. Joanne would visit once a year for two to four weeks to continue these groups. However, for the last five years this was no longer possible – first because of Ebola, then because of the change of provincial superior and the resulting redistribution of tasks. Only last year I was there again with Sister M. Connie, and to our surprise these groups still exist! They have continued to work independently over all these years.   What I noticed: There is a Schoenstatt Shrine in Nigeria. This makes a big difference to Kenya and makes our work much easier. 

Also the mentality in West Africa is very different from East Africa. The Nigerians are stronger personalities and clearly speak their minds. To Europeans this can seem almost impolite, but they are not. They are generous and deeply religious, although this can sometimes be superstitious. That is why it is important not to speak of miracles and visions in our work. It is about the inner transformation of people, not about sensations and outward appearances.

What moves you as a province and you personally to these not harmless journeys? 

For me personally I can say: Africa is my continent. I live there. I could not be anywhere else. I am of Scottish-English descent, but I got everything from Africa and I am convinced that I have to give everything back. And the best I can give back is the gift of Schoenstatt. What I have received here are above all the three special pilgrimage graces that are given to everyone who visits the Schoenstatt Shrine: a deep home in this place and ultimately in the heart of God, the grace of inner transformation and also a strong apostolic spirit. 

Our longing as a province is that Africa develops, that it becomes better there. I am convinced that this is not possible in a purely materialistic way. First there must be a change and development in the hearts and not the other way around. That is why we must bring the Blessed Mother to Africa. Africa is a great continent in the making. It is like a sleeping giant, similar to Europe in the Middle Ages. It is said that it was a dark age. If we look more closely, we can say that the Middle Ages were a civilization in the making. I think the same thing is happening in Africa. Therefore we have a great responsibility. It is our duty to bring Schoenstatt. 

Source: Missionsnachriten der Missionszentrale – Schoenstaetter Marienschwestern

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“MINT Teacher of the Year”

“MINT Teacher of the Year”

A Sister of Mary from the Schoenstatt Movement is the "MINT Teacher of the Year

By Hna. M. Verena Röhrig

There is great joy at the Schoenstatt Marian School (SMS) in Vallendar, which is still in the splendor of its 75th anniversary; because Sister Christamaria Brück, herself a former student and now a teacher of Catholic religion, mathematics and computer science, received the Klaus von Klitzing Prize on November 10, 2020. This prize is awarded to teachers who are especially dedicated to the so-called MINT subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology). Klaus von Klitzing, the winner of the 1985 Nobel Prize in Physics, has dedicated himself to promoting this commitment

VIRTUAL AWARD CEREMONY

Professor Klaus von Klitzing usually presents the award in Oldenburg, where the EWE Foundation – responsible for the award, and the Carl von Ossietzky University there, as its partner – are based. In view of the Crown Virus pandemic, this time the award ceremony took place virtually in different locations: in Stuttgart, Oldenburg and Schoenstatt.

With Sister Christamaria, a small group of students and teachers in the spacious school cafeteria waited eagerly for the award ceremony. Among them was Sister M. Gabriele Schreck, the school principal, and a special guest of honor, Sister M. Aleja Slaughter, General Superior of our community of Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. Many followed the program – which lasted about an hour – with much excitement through the live broadcast.

SELECTED FROM 48 “FIRST CLASS” CANDIDATES…

After greetings from Marion Rövekamp, Chair of the EWE Foundation Board, the President of the University of Oldenburg, Professor Hans Michael Piper, and a scientific lecture by Christoph Hahn on the meaning of kale, the long-awaited moment arrived: the announcement of Sister Christamaria as the winner of the award. Marion Rövekamp emphasized that Sister Christamaria had been selected unanimously by the jury from a circle of 48 “first class” applicants. Professor Klaus von Klitzing expressed his regret that he could not present the award in person in Oldenburg, but virtually in Stuttgart, where he carries out research work at the Max Planck Institute.

In her speech, Sister M. Gabriele Schreck said that Sister Christamaria received the award on behalf of the whole school, for all the committed teachers. She highlighted the “extraordinary commitment” of her co-sister, as well as the “genuine enthusiasm” and ability to develop the best in the students.

WE NEED WOMEN LIKE YOU.

He literally said, “Today we have to find answers to the many ethical, medical and ecological questions, which are pressing, to name just a few of the hot topics. That’s why we need women like you, who are committed with their mind, will and heart to empowering many young people to commit to finding viable and responsible solutions.

The director of the school, thanked Sister Christamaría, for her valuable contribution to the Schoenstatt Marian School, in which, just like Father Kentenich, the founder of Schoenstatt and of the school, strives to have his ear to the heart of God and his hand to the pulse of the times. In thanking the sponsors of the award, Sister M. Gabriele pointed out the perspective of being able to discover and form the researchers of the future with the award and thus fulfill the Christian responsibility for the new configuration of society. She stressed: “Young women in particular are needed to introduce the female perspective into the sciences of the MINT and thus enable a more lively vision to be adopted. Being a school for girls with a focus on the natural sciences, we see our mission here as very specific”.

ROBOT AG “A PLACE OF JOY”

The grateful and proud Karolin Gräwer, 11th grade, gave a commendable speech. As she said, she experienced Sister Christamaria as a “special teacher” as early as 5th grade in religion and basic education in information technology. Since 6th grade, she participated in the robot weekends that Sister Christamaria provided with the project: Robot-AG (working group). She had so much fun building and programming robots that she successfully participated in the ‘First Lego’ league competitions each year along with other interested students. As the student confessed, Robot-AG became “a place of joy”.

Finally she revealed Sister Christamaria’s recipe for success: “Every Friday shows us how much fun and enjoyment you can have with technology. She likes to help with problems, gives ideas, but never reveals the real solution. She always lets us try everything, and if something doesn’t work, she encourages us to find a solution quickly. With his tireless commitment he convinces everyone. His positive attitude transfers to us, the students, and that’s why we don’t want to miss the GA at our school anymore”.

Also, Karolin Gräwer called attention to Sister Christamaria’s commitment to digitalization. With a small group of students, Sister created the Cocuun school’s own communication platform in 2017, from which all classes, teachers and parents will benefit.

As Karolin Gräwer explained, Sister Christamaria not only places importance on technical knowledge by supporting the students in the technical team or leading the reconstruction of the school website, but also on the preservation of Christian values and personality development by offering early classes and inviting them to the “I’m on my way” pilgrimage weekend. The student also emphasized Sister Christamaria’s “passion for mathematics”, her patience to explain and her serenity with which she also motivates students for whom mathematics is not a favorite subject. In addition, Karoline Gräwer confessed: “Sister Christamaria always listens to us carefully and takes the time to address our concerns and needs. You can feel the great connection she builds with us students. We can learn a lot from Sr. Christamaria, not only academically but also humanly. With much joy in life and through her open and friendly way of showing others, she has become a role model for us. 

Karoline Gräwer is convinced that Sister Christamaria definitely deserves the Klaus von Klitzing Prize, “because it shows, especially with her commitment in the area of MINT, how well girls can also develop in that area. This area is still considered male-dominated, so it should be noted that she is the first sister and the first woman after six consecutive male winners to receive this award. By supporting growing women, it gives us a glimpse of an area we probably would not have dared to enter otherwise. It encourages us all to never give up and to keep going no matter what obstacles are put in our way.

MANY THANKS TO STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES

Finally, Sister Christamaria thanked the EWE Foundation, Professor von Klitzing and the jury for the award. She then said that thanks to the implementation of the computer course of the graduating class of 2018 who, with their enthusiasm and willingness to invest time, gave the starting signal for the first robots in SMS. He also thanked the friends of the school and the alumni association for their generous financial support and the school management for the “Promotion Room”. He also thanked the collaborators: Dr. Fislake from the University of Koblenz and Mr. Schwaderlapp from Exec Software, for the good cooperation and the promotions they have offered.

Sister Christamaria also thanked all the parents who contribute their expertise to Robots AG, especially Ms. Plies and Ms. Pötzschke.

Sister Christamaria expressed her greatest gratitude to her students and colleagues, because it means a lot to her to shape the school day together with them in such a way that the students can develop their talents and personality and take advantage of their opportunities. Sister Christamaria stated:

“Here with us, co-responsibility, freedom, creativity, commitment, friendship and team spirit count. For all your cooperation I say thank you with all my heart!

That is why I am firmly convinced that the Klaus von Klitzing Prize belongs not only to me, but to all of us. Thank you”.

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A new throne for our Mother in Argentina

A new throne for our Mother in Argentina

On Sunday, October 18, 2020, in the Land of Mary, the Corrientes Schoenstatt Family gave the first shovelful for the construction of their filial Shrine after the culmination of the novena for the 18th of October, a Covenant of Love celebration, so special that it will undoubtedly remain in the memory of each member of the family.

By María del Rosario Soy

You have made my project your own “You will suspect what I intend: I would like to make this place a place of pilgrimage, a place of grace for our house and the whole German Province and perhaps, beyond that”

This was the bold plan that Father Joseph Kentenich proposed to his young students on that October 18, 1914, in the Valley of Schoenstatt, Germany. We remember different moments that deeply marked our hearts. One, when we left for Brazil in search of the altarpiece for the Shrine. And on November 2, 2019, which we called the first milestone of the Schoenstatt Family in Corrientes: the presentation of the letter of petition for the construction of our desired Shrine to the presidency of the Movement, next to the National Shrine in New Schoenstatt.

Spiritual foundations that become material

Since the approval of the building petition, each branch, group and secretariat increased efforts to grow the capital of grace in the quest to be a suitable land and to form a solid spiritual foundation that will sustain the foundation. Throughout the novena, those who fertilized Tierra de María and directed its history were present, sending their testimonies, their greetings and blessings.

As a special contribution to the spiritual foundation, the 15 countries that are part of the Father Joseph Kentenich Covenant of Love Prayer and Silence Groups and work for the soon canonization of our father and founder also sent all their Capital of Grace as support for our Shrine.

On Saturday, October 17th, the Family from Corrientes called for a large parade to escort the Mother, Queen and Victress throughout the city, passing by chapels, schools and churches. Finally, in a very emotional day and accompanied by the prayer of the One Thousand Hail Marys, each member had the opportunity to perform their first shovelful.

In addition, the Archbishop of Corrientes, Monsignor Stanovnik, was present, and he very kindly came to the premises to carry out the blessing of the place, remarking that “this work is a work of God that has been put in our hands, a work that would be impossible without Him”.

After his message, the Monsignor also made his first shovelful and celebrated Holy Mass, together with our beloved Father Esteban Gamarra, as a final touch to such an important event. 

With much joy we entrust ourselves to the safe protection of our Mother Thrice Admirable and Queen of Schoenstatt, placing the construction of our filial Shrine in her hands and to each one of us who make up Schoenstatt Corrientes, so that we may all be living shrines, joyful and happy witnesses of the love that we experience with the grace of the Covenant of Love. 

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The passing to the eternal Schoenstatt of Father José Antonio Arbulú Atoche “Toño

The passing to the eternal Schoenstatt of Father José Antonio Arbulú Atoche “Toño

The Schoenstatt Family - Peru, bid farewell to Father José Antonio Arbulú Atoche. Father Toño, as he was known by everyone, was the founder of the Schoenstatt Family in Callao, a great promoter of Schoenstatt in Peru and a member of the first course of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests in Peru.

By: Paola Andrea Aristizábal Giraldo

Father Toño is Our Father

Father Toño was born in Lima, but he defined himself as a Chalaco – coming from Callao – from the heart, which made his dedication to this community beyond measure. He was characterized by a deep love for Mary, since he chose her as his mother and protector from a very young age, and had a deep love for God and the Church, thus becoming a living testimony of love, dedication and obedience, for those who knew him. 

He was ordained a priest by Saint John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Peru in 1985, which inspired his reflections and liturgies. He always lived his priesthood in the image of Jesus Christ and was inspired by Father Kentenich, because it was his spirituality that helped him to be faithful to his mission. At some point he mentioned: “In the pursuit of enjoying spirituality, I found it in Schoenstatt, which has helped me a lot in supporting my vocation, especially finding in Mary the mother and spiritual master of my being”.

He was always characterized by being a father to everyone, by his self-giving, his humor and the special attachment he felt for each one of those who approached him. In the parishes where he exercised his ministry, he always carried the Schoenstatt movement as a banner, respecting and valuing the different spiritualities that exist in the church, a trait that always left its mark, since he always made them see in him a father who loved the Church. 

Encounter with Schoenstatt 

Between the years 1980 and 1982, Father Toño was studying theology in Spain and it was there that he learned about Schoenstatt’s pedagogy through the now Schoenstatt Father Fernando Baeza, whom Father Toño visited in 1988 in Bellavista, Chile. There the real bond to the Shrine and to Schoenstatt was generated. He was amazed to know that he, as a diocesan priest, could have a place within the structure of the movement, as he said: “I was fascinated to find a twig in the little tree for me”.

He returned to Peru with his heart aflame for this great mission, which took on meaning when at the end of that same year Fr. Sidney Fones visited him and invited him to be the founder of Schoenstatt in Callao, a mission he assumed on December 8, 1988. In 1990 he returned to Chile to seal his Covenant of Love and then, along with other priests, he formed the founding course of the Federation of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests of Peru.

The mission continues

In his last days, he did not stop thinking about his spiritual children, calling them even from the clinic, worrying about keeping the connection with them always and taking advantage of those last moments to say “thank you”.  Although Father Toño’s absence is hard for the family in Peru, the call is to be always faithful to the mission, just as he was, who despite his health condition, was always willing to give himself for his family until the end.

As an international Schoenstatt family we unite in prayer for the soul of a Father, who knew how to be the face of Christ and the servant of Schoenstatt for the world of today.