Fr. Heinrich Walter. “There is a meeting of the General Presidium,” it is often said. But, what happens at these meetings of the society for the international coordination of the Schoenstatt Work, where regularly attending the meetings are the representatives of the Institutes and Federations (two for each of them) and of the world-wide Movement (represented by the director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Germany)? In the future, the essential topics will be transmitted through this media at regular intervals.
The General Presidium begins its meetings with a moment of silent prayer in the Original Shrine. At each meeting, they speak about the latest information from Team 2014, about the discussions regarding the Original Shrine, and about the next step in the development of the House of the Covenant. They receive information from the national presidiums from the different countries and there is an exchange of opinions in this regard. Always anew, we deal with the details regarding questions on the general Statute of the Schoenstatt Work which the Presidium has left in the hands of a commission which continues working on the matter.
Symposium on the history of the Pallottines and Schoenstatt
From March 28th to April 1st, a symposium on the history of the Pallottines and Schoenstatt took place in the theology department of the Pallottines, in Schoenstatt. Some fifty persons participated. News releases were published (in German) on schoenstatt.org. The Symposium was spoken about at the meeting of the General Presidium. The content and the working climate have both been rated as an important step for the writing of the history and for the foundation for better future relations between Schoenstatt and the Pallottines.
The Original Shrine and the Kentenich Cause
In one of the last meetings, Fr. Walter spoke about what has taken place in the general vicariate of the Diocese of Treveris. The topics were on the relationship between Schoenstatt and the Pallottines in regard to the Original Shrine, the dialogue between the Diocese of Treveris and the Schoenstatt Movement, and the progress on Father Kentenich’s beatification process.
Collaboration with the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization in Rome
Already this past January, the Holy Father called Archbishop Dr. Robert Zollitsch – president of the German Episcopal Conference and a member of the Secular Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests – to the Pontifical Council for support of the new evangelization. This Council was founded in June of 2010. This Pontifical Council should be especially concerned for a new evangelization in those countries where Christianity has been rooted for a long time, but because of the advancement of secularism, has lost its meaning. On October 16, 2011 – at St. Peter’s Basilica – the Holy Father will preside at a solemn celebration for sending forth of all the missionaries for the new evangelization. It will take place in preparation for the next synod of bishops in October of 2012. Schoenstatt has been invited to collaborate in the preparation of this ceremony. Fr. Ludovico Tedeshi, who works in Italy for the Schoenstatt Movement, is the contact person on Schoenstatt’s behalf.
Request to the synod of bishops (October 7 – 28, 2012) on the new evangelization
The “New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Faith” (as such the title of the synod), we see connected with two Schoenstatt objectives: rescue of the historic-salvific mission of the West and the universal apostolic Confederation. We would like to contribute, as a service to the Church, our experiences as the Schoenstatt Work. A working-group is taking care of this.
The commemoration of Father Kentenich’s birth will again be officially November 16th
For sometime now, the investigations made in this regard have indicated Father Kentenich’s birth date as November 16th. During his lifetime, his birthday was celebrated on this day. After his death, there was a note in the documents which made one assume that the day was November 18th; therefore, for many years, his birthday was celebrated on this day. The official archives of the city of Erfstadt is now prepared to recognize the investigation and to officially cite the birthdate as November 16, 1885. The General Presidium has decided that this change of birthday is immediately valid for the international Schoenstatt Work; probably, the corresponding inscription in texts, books or memorial plaques must be changed. Consequently, Father Kentenich’s “next birthday” will be celebrated on November 16, 2011!
© Schönstatt-International – General Presidium at www.schoenstatt.org
Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA 07042011
