Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement

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“We have seen his star and we have come to glorify him”

“We have seen his star and we have come to glorify him”


Teaser: "We have seen his star and we have come to glorify him", was the message of the Magi from the East before Herod's court, which generated a great commotion in all Jerusalem. They were close and they did not recognize him.

January 6th, 2021 -Fr. Francisco J. Lemes Gonçalves
Archiv Schoenstatt International

“The light came to those who were his and did not receive him,” St. John tells us in the first chapter of his Gospel. 

Herod came to feel threatened in his temporary power. Not even those who understood the Law recognized him, it was written in the Scriptures…, but the image they had of the Messiah was not compatible with the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a stable and with poor parents. For this reason they did not recognize him, and even today they do not recognize him.

But the Magi followed with joy the star that came down where they were and saw the Child with Mary, His mother, and they adored Him. They came from distant lands and before that child, like so many in their own lands, they saw in him something that only those who have faith and let themselves be surprised by God are able to see in this little God who became man.

Those who are concerned about the things of the world, are unable to see the signs that God sends us to go to Mary and find Jesus in her arms. One either goes around too much, or makes too many excuses, or is too justified in wanting scientific proof or guarantees. Look at these men: they came from afar, guided by a star; they were not practicing Jews. According to tradition, they were astrologers and philosophers. They left everything, went out, took risks, and let themselves be surprised by God; they were rewarded. When they saw Jesus, they worshipped him, because they found the reason for their lives.

They brought gifts to the Child, in the symbolism of gold, incense and myrrh. Gold for good deeds and a desire for holiness that is conquered every day. Incense, recognizing him as the true God, who must be adored. The Virgin said to Juan Diego in Mexico: “I am the Mother of the true God who must be adored”. And in the myrrh, our humanity was held in the child of Bethlehem who became human and set up his tent among us.

What gifts will we give Jesus today? What gold will you offer Him? What incense will you adore Him with? What myrrh from your limitations, crosses and happiness will you offer Him?

Our Schoenstatt Shrines are this house where, as we enter, we see Mary as the Magi saw her: with Jesus. She invites us to worship him, in her arms, in the tabernacle, in the Word announced and explained. Here in her shrine we will always find Jesus with her; never, never, separated. God will always have his star in our sky, which at times will be half cloudy, dark. Let us look up and see the star, let us follow it, because it will stop in our Shrine and there we will find Jesus, and we will be able to say like the Wise Men: “We have come to your star and we have loved you!

Fuente: www.schoenstatt.org.br

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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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Father Alexandre Awi Mello is appointed advisor to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America

Father Alexandre Awi Mello is appointed advisor to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America

The Press Office of the Holy See announced this Friday, November 13, the appointment by Pope Francis of Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello as advisor to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America -CAL-.

By Enrique Soros

Fr. Awi Mello, a member of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers, was born on January 17, 1971 in Rio de Janeiro. He was ordained a priest on July 7, 2001 and has held the following positions: Parochial Vicar of Nossa Senhora das Dores in Santa Maria, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul; Advisor of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Youth for the Southeast of Brazil and National Director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Brazil, where the Pilgrim image of the Virgin of Schoenstatt reaches 14 million people every month through its missionaries all over the country. This apostolate was initiated by Joao Pozzobon, who began to take the image of the Virgin of Schoenstatt to the homes of families in Santa Maria, Brazil and ended up traveling 140,000 kms. in 30 years. Today the Pilgrim Mother of Schoenstatt Campaign is spread in more than 100 countries.

Fr. Alexandre studied Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Santiago, Chile; then, he obtained his degree in Theology at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule in Vallendar, Germany, in 2000. He was Professor of Pastoral and Systematic Theology, in Londrina, at the Paul VI Institute, between 2002 and 2004, and at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Brazil, between 2005 and 2009, and since 2012, in São Paulo, at the Salesian University Center and the Faculty of São Bento. He received his doctorate in Mariology from the University of Dayton International Marian Research Institute, in Ohio, USA, and is the author of the book “Ella es mi mamá, Encuentros del Papa Francisco con María”, published by Editorial Patris, in Argentina.

He was director of the magazine Tabor, and has published several articles in specialized catechism and pastoral magazines. In 2007, he participated in the Commission of the Final Document of the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopal Council in Aparecida, Brazil, as secretary of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who was in charge of the above-mentioned committee. In 2013 he welcomed and accompanied Pope Francis in his visitation to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day, at the request of the same Pontiff. 

Beyond his theological and intellectual strength, Fr. Alexandre is a man of pastoral work. In the line of Pope Francis, he gives profound importance to the reality of the soul of the people, to their experiences and to their reality. He works with ecclesial movements and new communities, with families, with youth, being aware of the relevance of personal bonds, of guidance during the task of evangelization. That is why he was vibrating with the youth at the Synod on Youth, and with them, he gives great importance to the post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis to the young Christus Vivit.

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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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Sister M. Petra returned home to our Heavenly Father

Sister M. Petra returned home to our Heavenly Father

Sr. M. Petra Schnuerer, Fr. Kentenich's secretary in Milwaukee for three years, died on September 18, 2020, after a long battle with cancer at the age of 86, at the International Shrine of the Father's Kingdom in Waukesha, Wisconsin, surrounded by her co-sisters. She was Fr. Kentenich's secretary in Milwaukee, and became bearer of his charism.

By: Enrique Soros

Erika Schnuerer, future Sr. M. Petra, was born on July 20, 1934, in Drexelerhau, in the German region of Slovakia. She studied at the university in Munich, Germany, where she belonged to a group of Schoenstatt university young women. Fr. Kentenich was in exile in Milwaukee at that time, and they did not know the details of such a reality, and were eager to know what happened to him. So Erika tells her friends: “I don’t understand, what’s wrong with you! If a group of Jesuits had the opportunity to meet St. Ignatius, they would leave everything and go to meet him. The same with Franciscans with St. Francis”

Trip to Milwaukee

Her friends, seeing the deep interest of this young woman to meet Fr. Kentenich, to know him personally, in order to know more about Schoenstatt from its own founder, collected money and sent her with another friend to Milwaukee on a six week trip during the summer vacation in August 1958.

Encounter with Fr. Kentenich

Both women were very nervous about meeting the founder of an international movement, but Father’s personality captivated them, with his warmth and fatherly spirit, who cared about their smallest needs, had time for them, to listen to them and to advise them. At the end of the six weeks, the friend returned to Germany, while Erika decided to stay in Milwaukee with Fr. Kentenich.

After three years of assisting the founder at his office, she entered the community of the Sisters of Mary, later becoming a very special icon for the Schoenstatt family. With an immense childlike warmth and transparency, she became the spontaneous bearer of Fr. Kentenich’s fatherly figure, through the vivid talks she gave in different countries.

Passion to transmit Father’s charism

A passion, a great enthusiasm to share the profound experiences lived with an educator who guided by example, always respecting the freedom of those who approached him for advice; but especially of a father, who radiated from the depths of his being the mystery of God’s fatherhood.

In one of the talks she gave in Chile in 2003, Sister M. Petra told that one day she commented to Father:

– “Father, I have a problem, can I ask you about it?

– Of course.

– I see that when people come, you give advice and suggestions to face certain things, but to me nothing. Why?

Then Father Kentenich got very serious and said:

– The people you are referring to, have asked me to educate them.

– Oh, does that mean that one has to ask you to educate them?

– Of course! You are an adult person, you are a free person, you have the right to be the way you want to be. What right could I possibly have to correct you? I don’t have the right to do that!

– Really?!

So I made a formal request for Father Kentenich to educate me.”

This story, as well as many others, is documented in a spanish book entitled “Milwaukee, a high point of the Schoenstatt’s founding”, from the Schoenstatt Publishing, of the Sisters of Mary, which transcribes conferences given by Sister M. Petra in Chile, in April 2003. 

Her testimonies about the profound experiences lived with Fr. Kentenich had captivated thousands of hearts, which have perceived first hand in the person of Sr. M. Petra the fatherly charism of Fr. Kentenich as a wonderful educator and guide, and reflection of God’s fatherhood, and the warmth of Mary. A father, a very realistic person, with his feet firmly on the ground, and at the same time, of a deep spirituality.

Among the innumerable comments that are published in social media about the passage of Sister M. Petra to the Heavenly Father’s home, we share one, from Jannette, from Costa Rica, that reflects the power that transmits a life transformed by the art of a great educator: “I will always have her in my heart, a very special person. She showed Juan Carlos and me our marriage ideal with just one look”.

With gratitude we remember her great enthusiasm for our Founder Father and his mission.