The Second Milestone in the History of the Schoenstatt Movement

Every January the Schoenstatt Family commemorates and gives thanks for the second milestone in our history, January 20, 1942.  It was an act of simple trust in divine Providence; it was an act of standing in divine confidence and a battle for “inner” freedom.  It was an act so significant it is referred to as the “axis” of our Schoenstatt history.  One of the fruits of this milestone is the founding of the Schoenstatt Family Work which is of personal significance to me as I have been blessed to belong to the family branch of Schoenstatt, together with my husband, for over 30 years.   I hope the sermon below explains the importance of this date in our history and for all the Schoenstatt Family that it will help us to live the spirit of January 20^th in our lives.

Pilar Huerta, Family Federation

Our father and his decision of 20 January 1942

[Excerpt from a sermon on 20 January 2006 in the Adoration Church in Schoenstatt by Mons. Dr. Peter Wolf]

 Dear Schoenstatt Family,

 You only need to mention some dates and a whole people or generation knows what is meant.  If you mention the date 11 September today, you can be certain that everyone will connect with it the terrible events of the terror attack on the USA.  … You only need to mention 11 September and the whole cosmos of experiences will have been conjured up.

Something similar happens with the 20 January for our Schoenstatt Family.  This date, or the 18 October or 31 May, stand for a whole world of experiences and connected realities in the history of our Movement.  What has brought us together this evening is the decision and fullness of life connected with the 20 January 1942 in our father’s life and our Schoenstatt Family.  Just one day prior to it, it was still completely unclear whether there would be a 20 January with its decision and significance as we know it today.

The celebration of the Texas Schoenstatt Family on July 12, 2014 commemorated the arrival of the founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, to the city of Corpus Christi, Texas in 1948.  For article and photos:  www.schoenstatt.org/en/news/2041/262/Commemorating In this second part we will follow our founder’s footsteps on our Texas soil in his mid-June 1948 visit in Corpus Christi.

Father Kentenich’s visit to Corpus Christi

Father Kentenich, accompanied by Father Wilwers, flew from Milwaukee to Arkansas to meet with Abbot Paul Nahlen (1882-1957) at the New Subiaco Abbey in Subiaco, Arkansas.   Abbot Nahlen had invited and arranged the trip for Father Kentenich’s visit to Arkansas and Texas.  In 1947, Abbot Nahlen had discovered the Schoenstatt Sisters in Germany and was interested in them coming to help his friend, Emmanuel Ledvina, bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.  The bishop himself was very interested in having the sisters come to his diocese.  Father Kentenich, Father Wilwers and Abbot Nahlen made the long road trip from Arkansas to Corpus Christi, Texas.

 “Living Our Covenant Mission in Today’s Modern World”

Today’s fast-paced world places many demands on our lives and the lives of our families.  With personal communication shifting to the internet and the recent social media explosion, how do we continue to be Mary’s instruments in spreading God’s word and living our covenant mission?

Please join us for a day of reflection on Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm with registration beginning at 12:30 pm -- Mount Schoenstatt, 17071 Low Road in Helotes, TX.  The fee is $12 per couple (lunch included).  The presenter is Fr. Marcelo Aravena.  Holy Mass will be at 4:30 pm. 

On July 12, 2014, the Schoenstatt Family of Texas gathered in Corpus Christi to celebrate the Jubilee with the unveiling and blessing of the Father Joseph Kentenich Memorial.  The bust of our founder which commemorates his arrival in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas in 1948 is a jubilee gift of the Texas Family. 

Father Joseph Kentenich’s visit to America in 1948

The Annual Lenten Day Retreat, hosted by the Family Branch, was held on April 12 with the theme:  “A Church without joy is unthinkable!” [Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, Gospel of Joy]  

Desiring to bestow upon the faithful the divine gift of grace and moved by his loving concern for the universal Church and special affection for the members of the International Schoenstatt Work, the Most Holy Father hereby graciously extends a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (i.e., sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayers for the intention of the Christian faithful who are celebrating the jubilee, when they are truly sorry for their sins and who unite their hearts to the spiritual goals of the Year of Faith.

This plenary Indulgence can be obtained from October 18th, 2013 until October 26th, 2014

“A Church without joy is unthinkable!”

Saturday, April 12, 1:00-5:30 PM

4:30 PM Palm Sunday Mass and Procession

Fr. Marcelo Aravena, presenter

Schoenstatt Marian Shrine, 17071 Low Road, Helotes, TX 78023. (210) 695-1400

All women are invited to participate in this conference with an Easter theme.  Mark your calendar!

“Mary, Fountain of New Life in Christ”

“Maria, Fuente de la Nueva Vida en Cristo”

April 1 (Sp), April 2 (En), 10 AM-12 PM,

12 PM Mass. Fr. Marcelo Aravena, presenter.

*Mount Schoenstatt, 17071 Low Road, Helotes, TX 78023. (210) 695-1400.