Posted On 2009-08-27 In Uncategorized

Schoenstatt Girls Youth from Poland felt the International Spirit of Schoenstatt

Schoenstatt Girls Youth from Poland in SchoenstattPOLAND, Kasia Sobiereiska. Thirty Schoenstatt girls from different parts of Poland came together at Schoenstatt for a pilgrimage. From the 18th until the 23rd of August, they visited the wonderful place that Schoenstatt is. The idea of their pilgrimage was to see the places and walk in the steps of Father Kentenich and the Schoenstatt Heroes. They also wanted to feel the International Spirit of the Schoenstatt Movement during the Night of the Shrine. Did they do so? Of course!


Schoenstatt Girls Youth from PolandIt was an amazing time for all of them. Only a few girls from their group had already been there before. For the most of thems, it was the first contact with the Original Shrine, the source of Schoenstatt.

Their Pilgrimage was quite short but very plentiful in different experiences.

First of all, they were able to be there during the Covenant Day celebration; it was a great beginning for their visit.

Feel Father Kentenich’s spirit

During the time in Schoenstatt, they met different famous people from the Movement. They got to know the history of Josef’s Engling life. They saw the house of Gertrud von Bullion.

They also had an opportunity to be in House Sonnenau, which is very important for all Schoenstatt Girls’ youth from all over the world. It is their house!

In House SonnenauAnd what was the most important thing? “For us not only to know Father’s Kentenich life better, but also feel his spirit. We had our “private meeting” with Father by His Tomb. We could hear his voice and each of us could write her own letter to him. Father Kenetnich loved Polish people, and he knew that the Polish nation loves Mary. That’s why he always believed in us and felt that we could deeply feel the Spirit of the Schoenstatt Movement.”

Covenant of Love in the Original Shrine

On Friday morning, they had a festive Holy Mass in Polish, because some of the girls from the group sealed their Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother or offered their Blank Check surrender. After that all went to Father’s Tomb to thank him for his protection and support.

In the afternoon, they visited Sister Emilia in Koblenz-Metternich. This year the motto of the Schoenstatt Family in Poland is: Yes, Father. I trust in You! Sister Emilia always said “Yes, Father” – “Ita, Pater!” So this was also a very important meeting for them. They were able to learn from her how to say, “YES,” for God’s will and how to be God’s child in their daily life and intheir journey to Heaven by “express train”.

Participating in the “Night of the Shrine”

The Night of the Shrine began on Friday evening, and the group took part in this great event: “It was an amazing experience for us, to see a lot of people from other countries who have the same values and who also love Mary and Schoenstatt. The procession from City Hall to Original Shrine was breathtaking. We were all able to be together and pray. TAt the Original Shrinehere were no borders, no limits between us at this time. We adored Jesus concealed in the Holy Bread and renewed our Covenant of Love for the Youth of World. In addition to that, we were united together, with our Blessed Mother and our Father and Founder.”

Their summary after the few intense days in Schoenstatt: “This Pilgrimage was an incredible experience for us all. We could touch this place, feel the Spirit, and see where the story of Schoenstatt began. I think that now we can go back to our groups in Poland and tell them about the Spirituality of our Movement. I also hope that we will come back soon to this Grace-filled place.”

Translation: Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA

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