Schoenstatters Category

ARGENTINA, Maria Fischer • There are many ways to remember each year on September 15, the anniversary of Fr. Joseph Kentenich’s death, and this year, it will be in the context of the shocks of the pandemic and a serious questioning of the person of Fr. Kentenich and his family’s relationship with him. It can be done, as always, with Masses, with prayers, with marathons of memories, videos and photos… or, with an Episcopal ordination. By placing the life of a Schoenstatter and thus have a whole Movement at theRead More
GERMANY, Maria Fischer • “Commemoration of a teacher” is the title of an article in the Saarbrücker Zeitung, which deals with the decision of the Heusweiler local council to name three streets in a new residential area. “Heusweiler local council reminds us with its decision of two old cadastral names and with “Charlotte-Holubars-Pathway” of a teacher who became victim of the Nazi dictatorship”, so the subtitle. A teacher, a Schoenstatter, a woman who did not let herself be intimidated by the Nazis and paid for it with her life, namelyRead More
ARGENTINA, María Fischer • “I entrust myself to your prayers and closeness to live this new mission with joy…”, Father Jorge González wrote to me on the afternoon of the day of the announcement of his appointment as auxiliary bishop of his native diocese, La Plata, where he has been working as  a pastor and rector of the cathedral for a little more than a year, with the great pastoral project of “sanctifying the cathedra”l. A half hour after the simultaneous announcement in Rome and Argentina, an article about “our”Read More
USA, Zachary E. Larson • Among all the major events occurring around the world, one happened rather quietly: the crowning moment of a vocation. Jeff Roedel, the first Schoenstatt Father to be ordained in the USA in 16 years, became a Roman Catholic Priest on June 6th, 2020. When Archbishop Listecki laid his hands on the Wisconsinite and conferred the Holy Spirit upon him, Jeff’s work of many years reached its peak. —   Some of Jeff’s friends journeyed from afar to accompany him. I and several other members ofRead More
ARGENTINA, Maria Fischer with material from AICA and the Holy See Press Office • The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Jorge Esteban González, Rector of the Cathedral and General Pro-Vicar of the Archdiocese of La Plata (Argentina), as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, assigning him the head office of Alesa.  Father Jorge is a member of the Schoenstatt Federation of Diocesan Priests and from 2007 to 2018 he was the National Councilor of the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth in Argentina. — Fr. Jorge Esteban González, 53 years old, from La Plata,Read More
 USA, Maria Fischer • Deacon Jeff Roedel will be ordained to the priesthood June 6, 2020. He comes from New Berlin, Wisconsin, USA,  and has been in formation with the Schoenstatt Fathers since January 2010.— Jeff Roedel recently finished his Theology degree at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in September 2019, and was ordained a deacon soon after, in October. Deacon Jeff arrived in November of last year to do his parish internship at St. Patrick’s Parish in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he will continue to work during his firstRead More
Madrid, May 21st, 2020, the day of the Lord’s Ascension, Barbara Anne De Franceschi • We’ve lost a holy priest. Slowly, quietly, offering in silence an illness that has taken away his physical strength and vigor, but has kept him alert until his last agony. Surrounded by his brothers in community, cared for by the Palliative Care Unit, and sustained by the prayers of two countries that he loved deeply and that loved him just as much. — In Chile, his country of origin, his large family: his community ofRead More
GERMANY, Bettina Betzner • In the midst of the turmoil of World War I in 1917, a young woman experiences an encounter that will change her life abruptly. For the observer it is an inconspicuous encounter and yet a decisive moment. After a prayer in a small side room in the military hospital, a conversation between two people begins, which will change their lives. Through Frater Franz Salzhuber, Countess Gertraud von Bullion learns about the existence of the Apostolic Federation of Schoenstatt. It is an association of lay people whoRead More
Harald M. Knes, Institute of the Schoenstatt Brothers of Mary  • Since February 21, 2020, it is official from the Church: Mario Hiriart Pulido lived a life in which, with the help of God’s grace, he lived Christian virtues in an outstanding way. I would like to highlight four aspects of his life. — Christian spirituality in a church critical environment Father Joseph Kentenich saw the Church heading towards a time of profound change and renewal. The Founder wanted to help the members of the Schoenstatt Movement and all ChristiansRead More
CHAD, editors • On February 23rd, Pére Nicolas Nadji Bab, a member of the Schoenstatt Federation of Priests in Chad, was ordained as bishop. For the past few months – since the appointment of his predecessor Miguel Ángel Sebastián Martínez (MCCJ) as Bishop of Sarh, Chad – he has been the diocesan administrator of the diocese of Laï, for which he was appointed by Pope Francis in mid-December. For the Schoenstatt Federation of Priests, it is a joy, honor, and obligation that one of its members was chosen for thisRead More