Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement

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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. 

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Covenant of Fraternity

Covenant of Fraternity

This year, the small and invisible virus Covid 19, has created a world-wide bond that neither politicians nor industrialists, neither great thinkers nor church leaders could have created.
We are one big family. The virus takes the form of a mirror in front of people: Who are you? What is the dignity of the human being? Who is your neighbor?

By: Fr. Heinrich Walter

We celebrate the founding of Schoenstatt in this context. We will renew the Covenant of Love. We will do so in 2020 as a response to the challenges of this time. In this process, we hear the voice of the Pope who addresses humanity as “fratelli tutti”. In February 2019 he signed a document on human brotherhood with the great Imam of Cairo, Ahmad Mohammed Al-Tayeb. It describes the goal of peaceful coexistence in the world. Dignity and brotherhood among peoples is based on faith in one God as the father of humanity.

In the new encyclical “fratelli tutti” the Pope develops this approach. It is about how we live brotherhood in a free society. This is reflected in how we treat the weakest members of society. The Pope reminds us of the biblical story about the Good Samaritan: Who is my neighbor and how do I treat him? 

We are all part of humanity, our identity arising from social and cultural relations. But this needs to be lived out daily through our actions, which Pope Francis describes with four verbs: welcome, protect, promote, and integrate.  No doubt his gaze is directed at all types of migrants, but not only at them. The four verbs can motivate us through the alliance, in the daily life of the new community that we want to form.

This effort and motivation can be the melody that accompanies us during the day of the alliance. The meaning of all historical dynamics is found for us in the covenant with God. Since we do not know what tomorrow will bring and what our life will be like the day after tomorrow, this covenant gives us strength and security, a home and protection.

This year, the renewal of the covenant has a great social dimension because of the pandemic. In the Shrine we experience again and again the transforming power of love that connects us to many people. We also think about the people we hear or read about, because that destiny touches us. Our solidarity is expressed in small gestures of charity, prayer, mutual support and renunciation.

We collect these contributions so that the climate around us changes, so that fraternity grows in our society. Mary strengthened the spirit of brotherhood among the disciples in the Cenacle. In many paintings, throughout the centuries, she is represented as the woman and mother of the brotherhood. This may be our current plea on the day of the foundation in the year of the pandemic: Educate us in the spirit of brotherly care for others!

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Schoenstatt Movement establishes International Research Group

Schoenstatt Movement establishes International Research Group

By: Heinrich Brehm, Media Commission

This summer, the General Presidium of the International Schoenstatt Work established an international research group intended to ensure a coordinated, joint investigation of key themes and processes in the history of Schoenstatt that led to the exile of Schoenstatt’s founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, in Milwaukee. The members of the research group were officially appointed at the Presidium meeting on October 12, 2020.

The goal is to develop a critical edition of various texts and ways of acting of Father Joseph Kentenich in keeping with the present status of scholarly discussion.

In doing so, the pastoral, psychological, and pedagogical theory and practice which he developed during his time and which are rooted in Tradition, theology, and Christian anthropology will be taken into account. The research group, whose work is initially on a two-year timetable, will identify the topics in question and agree on a common approach to handling them. 

Fr. Alejandro Blanco, Argentina, Director of the International Schoenstatt Federation of Diocesan Priests, is responsible for the coordination of this work and is the liaison between the research group and the General Presidium of Schoenstatt.

The other twelve members of the research group come from five different countries, and almost all of them belong to one of the core communities of the Schoenstatt Movement: 

  • Mónica Asprella and Rodolfo Concia, Institute of Schoenstatt Families, Argentina,
  • Manfred Gerwing, Schoenstatt Family Federation, Germany,
  • Joachim Söder, Joseph Kentenich Institute, Germany,
  • Alicja Kostka, Schoenstatt Women’s Federation, Poland,
  • Sr. Virginia Perera, Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, Argentina,
  • Myriam de Soto Falcó, Institute of the Ladies of Schoenstatt, Spain,
  • Fernando Alliende Luco, Schoenstatt Family Federation, Chile,
  • Ignacio Serrano del Pozo, Schoenstatt Men’s Federation, Chile,
  • Fr. Raúl Espina, Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers, Chile,
  • Fr. Patricio Moore, Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers, Chile.
  • Daniel Jany (Schönstatt-Priesterbund, Argentinien)

If necessary, additional persons from the various countries can be invited to research or work on individual topics.

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What if there was a way to know Father Joseph Kentenich?

What if there was a way to know Father Joseph Kentenich?

Brushstrokes of a Father Vol. 5: an insight into the life of our founding father.

By: Luciana Loyola.

For all of us who are part of Schoenstatt, we know that discovering the Shrine and getting to know the Blessed Mother have been fundamental moments in our lives, but the desire has remained for us to also know the creator of this work! Father Joseph Kentenich. What would we give to have a talk or conversation with him and to be able to clarify many doubts about our spirituality and formation. What if I told you that there is a way to know Father Joseph Kentenich?

With the new publication of the book Brushstrokes of a Father Vol 5. which was launched last month, we have the opportunity to get to know the Founder of Schoenstatt from fresh perspectives and with valuable details. But what are the Brushstrokes of a Father?

In essence, Brushstrokes of a Father is a series of seven books created by Father Jonathan Niehaus (+), in which he shares stories about Schoenstatt’s founder. This editorial project allows the reader to paint his own image of Father Kentenich from these stories of witnesses who knew him. After the death of Father Jonathan Niehaus, his siblings, Father Mark Niehaus and Sister of Mary Sister Deanne Niehaus, continued the work of concluding this editorial piece which offers numerous stories of witnesses from the time of J.K. in Milwaukee from 1952 to 1965. “In this book, Sister Deanne and I, used Father Jonathan’s notes as well as other sources to share how Father Kentenich encountered many people and helped them through these encounters to understand themselves and God better.”

Father Mark Niehaus, Schoenstatt Father and administrator of St. Patrick’s Parish in Whitewater, Wisconsin, tells us that this series of books seeks to help the community study Father Kentenich’s principles, live our Schoenstatt way of life in a tangible way, and build a personal bond with him, thus providing real and dynamic answers to the problems we face today. Father Mark, shares that this joint work with Sister Deanne was an adventure in which they are happy to have participated. “This was a wonderful project to work on together. Neither of us are historians but both of us knew our brother well. That allowed us to puzzle through his notes, look for precise sources and add some things we thought would be helpful. It was a real gift to be able to work as siblings together on this!”

This Vol 5. Accompanied by a Father, from the book series brings many new stories about our founding father, and gives us the opportunity to get to know him better from stories that bring his personality to life and inspire a divine lifestyle.

Father Mark Niehaus says that some of the stories impacted positively in the structure of the project, and that some of the testimonies became his favorites:

“What impacted me, curiously enough, was Father Alexander Menningen’s talk from October 1968 that became the framework of Volume 5 (pages 243-246). To discover the many rich types of relationships that Father Kentenich had was invigorating. In particular, the first section on Father as a “Generous Companion” opened me to understand him in new ways. The story of Sister Eileen’s discernment process (pages 61-63) is one of my favorites. Father Kentenich was a companion to her in her process of looking for a religious community, to which God was calling her. He brought to life the selflessness needed in ministry to love those God sends.”

Brushstrokes of a Father is a great opportunity to begin to know and deepen the anecdotes and stories of Father Joseph Kentenich. Vol. 5 of this series of books is already available in the Schoenstatt book stores in the USA and online (English original language only):

https://www.patrisstore.com

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“The campaign is really beautiful!”

“The campaign is really beautiful!”

Seventy years ago, on September 10, 1950, the action of the Pilgrim MTA of Schoenstatt, which is now worldwide, began through the Brazilian Family Father and Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon. During the "Pozzobon Day" at the Original Shrine in Schoenstatt-Vallendar on September 10, 2020, something of his depth of faith and missionary fire leapt over.

By: Sr. Marié Munz

The crowd of about 120 participants from, from regions as Wilhelmshaven, Köln, Mainz, Karlsruhe, Freiburg, Fulda, Trier, Limburg and Stuttgart were somewhat lost in the vast Pilgrim Church. However, coronavirus social distancing regulations could not diminish the inner nearness and warmth.  Just as a huge family gathers around the family mother, so too did those few who were present there gather as they represented approximately 46 000 German homes that the Pilgrim Mother visits.

One participant summed it up, saying: “The campaign is really beautiful!” (P.R.)

“I am impressed with the way Mr Pozzobon never became discouraged. Since 1998 I have been accompanying two Pilgrim Mother groups. Even though people come and go, nevertheless it has always continued even up until now. Sometimes I think to myself that not much is happening when the Blessed Mother visits a home. Yet, there are many little things that occur, or that one becomes more aware of. For instance, my 16 year old son is not really churchy, but I have noticed that he is glad everytime the Pilgrim Mother is with us.” (F.U.)

“We have three Pilgrim Mother groups in our area. I have consciously travelled to Schoenstatt, because I have great confidence in the Blessed Mother. Today, like John Pozzobon, I thought, I really have no more of my heart’s blood to give to the Pilgrim Mother. Now, I want to pray for the members of our Pilgrim Mother groups and I also want to be More there for them.” 

A visitor stood for some time watching what was happening at the Pilgrim Church with the coronavirus registration. Everyone arrived with the same image of the Blessed Mother under their arm. They were all joyful and relaxed. People were already praying in the Pilgrim Church. He went up to the registration table and asked, “What’s happening here today?” He listened and then went on his way. About half an hour later, he was there again and booked himself in for the day. On receiving the handouts for participants – booklets and the newly published Pozzobon Brochure (pamphlet / leaflet): 140 000 km with Mary for God and for the People, he said, “Now I only need the Blessed Mother’s picture.”

He discovered that the Pilgrim Mother image was not for sale, since it was part of a worldwide campaign. So he purchased a little souvenir Pilgrim Mother and entered the Pilgrim Church. At the end of the church service, he was to be seen, there in the midst of them, when the people who were accompanying the Pilgrim Mother images were invited to come up for a blessing and to be commissioned as missionaries. He had his little image of the MTA blessed and was commissioned. The spark was caught.

During the time for inspiration and ideas, the life and work of Deacon Pozzobon came into the spotlight. Different people spontaneously began to relate their experiences with the Pilgrim Mother. Three participants shared how they themselves still knew John Pozzobon personally. Their eyes reflected his humility and his love for the Blessed Mother. It became obvious: He is credible.

“What I liked was how it was said that we are instruments of the Blessed Mother. We are her feet, her hands, her face, her eyes, when we pass her on to others. It is indeed so. Most important of all is: loyalty” 

The blessed day concluded at 19:00 by praying the international rosary in the Original Shrine.

Further details of the Pozzobon Day can be found on from the website www.pilgerheiligtum.de or may be requested from the Secretariat for the Pilgrim Mother Campaign:

  • The Pozzobon Brochure: 140 000 km with Mary for God and for the People €2,50 
  • Video presentation with text: I transformed myself into a little donkey that carried our Mother! (by JL Pozzobon)
  • Video testimony: How I experienced him (by Fr Antonio Bracht), available end of October
  • Booklet: 70 Years – Start of the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother Campaign: Devotions and Eucharistic Praise