All Schoenstatt on one website

Francisca Urrutia. Today is my first day of my practicum as a volunteer in the Schoenstatt Press Office. They have assigned me to look at and to familiarize myself with the website schoenstatt.de It contains so much information that it is difficult to know where to start reading, so, since I am curious, I began to press the buttons to all the links to see what I would find.

I discovered that there are many Shrines around the world and on five of the seven continents! Germany is the country with the most Shrines followed by Brazil and Chile. How many Shrines are in your country?

Since I was already on the website, I wanted to find out about {cms_selflink page=”emilie-engel” text=”Sister Emilie Engel”}; the end of her life, and how much she suffered because of her illness surprised me, but she never stopped to believing in God. As I was on the {cms_selflink page=”schoenstatt-heroes” text=”heroes’ page”}, I wanted to continue to find out about the others, so I read about J{cms_selflink page=”joseph-engling” text=”oseph Engling, “}{cms_selflink page=”mario-hiriart” text=”Mario Hiriart”}, and {cms_selflink page=”john-pozzobon” text=”John Pozzobon”} among others. I was surprised that each one of them had a tragic death, which was offered for the Schoenstatt work, like a good hero. My favorite is John Pozzobon, whose work was so fruitful. Who is your favorite?

Come to Schoenstatt to get away, if you cannot, do it virtually

In view of the fact that I am staying here in Schoenstatt just a few minutes from the Original Shrine, I went to the {cms_selflink page=”visitor-information” text=””Visitor Information””} link, where a lot of {cms_selflink page=”useful-information” text=”useful information”}  and activities are listed, in Spanish there is even an audio for the visits!

And for those who do not know how to get here, there is a {cms_selflink page=”how-to-reach-schoenstatt” text=”map and everything!”} Truly it is very good to have this information on the website, so in this way, you can come here and travel through Schoenstatt without anyone’s help; you can be your own guide. Won’t you give it a try?

Do you need a retreat but can’t leave home? Don’t worry, because on the {cms_selflink page=”resources” text=””Resources”}” link there is a free service that offers {cms_selflink page=”virtual-retreat” text=”workshops and virtual retreats!”} Just by pressing a button you can even receive the bi-monthly reflections by Father Nicolas Schwizer, a Schoenstatt Father. Don’t pass up this opportunity!

While reading the {cms_selflink page=”schoenstatt-news” text=”news,”} one item made me very happy. In San Juan, Argentina, they are already preparing to build their Shrine. The provicial government donated some land, where it will be built! Long live the Blessed Mother, who resides in the hearts of more people everyday! Just like this article, there are many more that are about Schoenstatt around the world. At this link, there are also {cms_selflink page=”people” text=”life testimonies”} that are very impressive written by people who were close to Father Kentenich! Will you write your testimony and send it to us so we can publish it?

Let us prepare for the centennial with apostolic zeal

Part of the commitment we assume with Mary when we seal the Covenant of Love with her is to be apostolic. At the link “{cms_selflink page=”schoenstatt-in-action” text=”Schoenstatt in Action,”}” you will find different ideas on doing apostolic work. If you are interested in helping the needy, you can do it through the different campaigns. Presently we offer the {cms_selflink page=”dequeni-support-education-as-a-means-to-a-safer-and-better-country” text=”Dequeni Foundation (P”}araguay). They have email addresses and telephone numbers in order to contact them for information or to make donations. In the future, we will offer more initiatives. “Educating means to serve others selflessly” – Father Joseph Kentenich.

There are only five years until the {cms_selflink page=”k2014″ text=”Covenant of Love Centennial,”} and the preparations have already begun! On July 8th, the {cms_selflink page=”father-ymbol” text=”worldwide pilglrimage of the Father Symbol “}began; it will end on October 18, 2014. The countries that want to sign up can write to 2014 @schoenstatt.de to ask for a date or to see what dates are still available for the visit of the Father Symbol to your country. Day by day the activities for 2014 are increasing. Consult the {cms_selflink page=”k2014″ text=”start page of the web- site”} to see if there is something new about the Centennial!

Before working at the Press Office, when I entered the website, I only noticed what {cms_selflink page=”p-kentenich-tel” text=”Father’s telephone”} told me. Now I can remain for more than hour looking at the page, and I am always surprised at the amount of material there is here. For someone who is interested in {cms_selflink page=”schoenstatt-spirituality” text=”learning a little more about Schoenstat”}t, this site offers all the information that you want to know about the Movement. For a Schoenstatter, this page will broaden your knowledge, and it will give you new projects and workshops to carry out.

I hope that you take advantage of this as much as I have and don’t pass up this great opportunity of being informed about the Schoenstatt news in the comfort of your home!