Fr. Javier Arteaga. Many pilgrims, when they arrive at the Schoenstatt Shrine, ask if the Virgin ever appeared there as it has happened at other holy places like Lourdes or Fatima for example. No, in Schoenstatt there was never an apparition of the Mother of God. She manifested herself, and she clearly manifests herself in this small Shrine, bestowing to all the pilgrims abundant graces from God. Thus, that which Father Kentenich said on October 18, 1914, is fulfilled: "All who come here to pray should experience the glory of Mary." There, where the Virgin Mary is, life comes forth…hope and peace radiate. And, like every good mother, She acts in favor of all her children…concerning herself in a particular way for those who suffer most…for those most in need…for those who are the weakest.

Margaret Steinhage Fenelon. Like so many in our Schoenstatt Family around the world, we had found in Fr. Jonathan Niehaus a loving friend and an exceptional mentor. On the day of his funeral, I could think of only one place to go in order to pour out my sorrow: the Mariengarten Shrine, in Milwaukee. The shrine (any shrine, every shrine) is my absolute favorite place on earth, but this one in particular is special to me. This shrine and I were “born” four months apart, so you might say we’ve grown up together. Much of my history is bound to the shrine, the school, and the parish to which it belongs. That made it the perfect place to go on that day. In the company of our Blessed Mother and her Son, I could freely allow my grief to unravel and unite spiritually with others who also grieve the loss of Fr. Jonathan.

Father Javier Arteaga. Every year we recall that January 20, 1942, when Father Kentenich, who was jailed in Koblenz as a prisoner of the Nazi regimen, decided not to sign a petition for a medical examination, which could have prevented him from being transferred to a concentration camp. In March he was sent to the concentration camp of Dachau, where he remained as a prisoner in inhumane conditions for three and a half years. He offered his "exterior" freedom for the "inner" freedom of his Schoenstatt Family. United to Christ and following his footsteps he accepted pain and a cross so that his children would have "life in abundance". It was a mortal leap of faith in divine confidence. Father Kentenich's radical giving of self in the Covenant awakened a great current of solidarity within the Movement, and through this a profound unity among brothers and sisters. In this way, January 20th was constituted the axis of Schoenstatt history.

Fr. Alberto Eronti. In 1912, when Father Kentenich was named Spiritual Director of the Pallottine Minor Seminary, he assumed the position fully aware of his task as an educator, not only as a professor of Latin, but as an educator in charge of the formation of youths. His pedagogical proposal - to state it thus - was centered on what we can call his "program:" "Under the protection of Mary, we want to learn to educate ourselves…"

Fr. Javier Arteaga. Last September 15th was the 43rd anniversary of Father Kentenich's death. Those who have visited his tomb in Schoenstatt always recall the prayerful atmosphere, the austerity of the place and the phrase on his tomb which summarizes his life: Dilexit Ecclesiam (He Loved the Church).

ARGENTINA, aat. Still contemplating with awesome gratitude about the miracle of WYD in Madrid with it extraordinary moments of grace and youthful enthusiasm (of all ages), a "little pearl" from the mail from Zenit of September 10th, activates the Schoenstatt radar.

Margaret Steinhage Fenelon. The other day, I wiped the slate clean. Literally. Here in the United States, we have a saying, “wipe the slate clean.” Years ago, it referred to the practice of writing on pieces of slate with a pencil also made of slate, which could be erased and used again and again for various things such as school lessons, business accounts, and nautical navigations. Although today we use paper and electronic devices to keep account of these things, the term “wipe the slate clean” is still in use, meaning to forgive wrong doings, to allow transgressions to be wiped away and to start fresh. When you wipe the slate clean, you begin anew.

Dr. Alicja Kostka. The decision to stop Joseph Engling's process for the moment has caused some consternation among his devotees. The group of people who are responsible for the homepage www.engling.pl have even asked whether this information should be publicised.

Sarah-Leah Pimentel. During a series of talks on Fr. Kentenich given by Fr. Werner Kuller a few weeks ago to the Schoenstatt Family in Johannesburg, we received an invitation: to make a Covenant of Love with our father and founder.

Cristina and Javier Cabral. We are progressing on the spiritual pilgrimage to the Original Shrine for the great jubilee of 10/18/14, the centennial of the Covenant of Love. During this year dedicated to the Founding Father, his children are not only imploring for faith like his in Schoenstatt and its mission, but, we want to commit ourselves even more to this mission, we want to feel responsible for its inheritance.