Through a dynamic process, skillfully moderated by Verena and Stefan Gross, the “central value” was elaborated on the second morning of the Delegates’ Conference of the Schoenstatt Movement in Germany. This concept is the main idea for the Movement’s work in the country for the coming year, from October 2022 to October 2023.

Central value for the coming year: a mobilizing concept

As Father Stefan Strecker explained at the beginning of the process, the central value is “a value or a combination of values that mobilizes with the greatest impact at a particular moment” and is by no means a parameter that excludes other values. It is like a tablecloth: “If you pull one corner, the whole fabric moves with it,” Strecker concludes. The effect of a central value is to draw everything else along with it. It’s not about a slogan, much less about making decisions for particular actions. This will be decided after the fact.

The delegates collected proposals in 12 discussion groups, which were then compiled and prioritized in the plenary session. To enthusiastic applause, the central value was finally formulated as “Together, attuned to the voice of God“.

Listening to God is a central challenge of our time, which the movement wants to embrace. Of course, this is a challenge for everyone. But it is also a challenge for the Movement to be attentive to the voice of God as a community: “Listening to each other, and all of us paying attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit“, as was written on the scroll of the event.

International Pentecost Congress in June

At the end of the Delegates’ Workshop, information was shared about upcoming projects and tasks. Vanessa Franke and Sister M. Cacilda Becker informed the delegates about the International Pentecost Congress that will take place from June 8-12 in Schoenstatt, Vallendar, under the motto “Moved by God’s Spirit” with representatives from 49 countries.

In preparation, so-called “small Pentecosts” have been held in different countries and regions, and international workshops continue to be organized. During the preparation it became clear “that strengths and experiences have grown in the different countries, which give dynamism to the international Movement and provide a profile for the future”, as expressed by Sister M. Cacilda, a member of the coordinating committee for the International Schoenstatt Movement. To perceive this richness and mutually enrich each other is the great opportunity of the Congress. The International Congress will work on a common vision for a Schoenstatt of the future that can contribute to a new face for the Church and society in the current time of upheaval.

Prevention

For several months, the director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Germany, Father Ludwig Güthlein, has been working on a common prevention protocol for the entire Movement in the country. In the meantime, he said, all personnel at the main headquarters have taken a prevention course and have also completed the required steps, such as submitting a self-declaration form and a police certificate of good conduct, as well as agreeing to a uniform code of conduct. The prevention protocol will be published this year. Uta Söder, a professor and speech therapist, will be providing prevention training to the Movement in the future after having completed multiple trainings for the Diocese of Trier. She invited the delegates to participate in an attention-getting exercise aimed at sensitizing them to improve their understanding of the topic of prevention.

Men in action

Peter Hagmann, a member of the Schoenstatt Men’s Federation, reported on the new men’s outreach activities. The “Men’s Workshop 2022” is aimed at Christian men interested in religion and has already extended invitations to several events offered online since July 2020. Those in charge of the project, which has been underway since 2018, meet every four to six weeks by conference calls to plan and exchange ideas. In February 2022, with the revival of the Men’s Forum, an event that continues the process of the Marienberg Conference, a new beginning was achieved regarding the collaboration of all Schoenstatt laymen’s communities. About 40 men from the Men’s League, the Men’s Federation, the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth and the Brothers of Mary participated in the hybrid event, which addressed the history and mission of Marienberg and was quite lively. The Men’s Forum is preparing for the celebration in October of the 110th anniversary of the Pre-Founding Document, the 10th anniversary of the Pillar Square in Marienberg and the 10th anniversary of the Coronation at the Tabor Shrine.

Katholikentag in Stuttgart: an event for the entire Movement

Finally, Father Franz Xaver Weber, diocesan director of the Schoenstatt Movement in the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, and Sister M. Vernita Weiss, a member of Germany’s Schoenstatt Movement’s Catholic Day Committee, reported on the Movement’s involvement in the upcoming Catholic Day in Stuttgart. Father Weber invited the delegates not only to visit the Schoenstatt Movement’s information tent at the Katholikentag, but also to take advantage of the early registration discount. Sister Vernita drew attention to the Movement’s brochure for the Katholikentag, in which all events co-sponsored by Schoenstatt members can be found.

Delegates’ Day 2022 came to an end by thanking all participants and holding a closing Mass in the Adoration Church.