BRAZIL, Ruy Kaercher • The activities of the Apostolic Movement, linked to the “Mother of God Chapel”, continue. Last 08/11/2022 we had the prayer of the Food Rosary; each participant brings non-perishable food that is later distributed to people in socially fragile conditions. — On the floor you can see the Rosary drawn, and on which the food that each participant brings is placed. After the Rosary, we gave part of what was collected to the Mãe de Deus day care center, which serves ninety-five children and operates next to
Read More SCHOENSTATT, Press Release of the Schoenstatt Women’s Federation • During the days of 27.12.2021-8.1.2022 the Chapter of the International Schoenstatt Women’s Federation took place. 25 representatives from 7 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Puerto Rico) met and deliberated on the most important matters of the community. The meeting took place in a hybrid format: some members were able to be present on the spot in House Mariengart in Schoenstatt, Germany, while most joined via video conference – a new experience. — A community in the process of
Read More GERMANY, Maria Fischer • Not only in Brazil are the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary fighting with legal means – against the city of Santa Cruz do Sul and large parts of the Schoenstatt Movement because of their plans to sell the Schoenstatt grounds and shrine and the planned demolition of the latter – but also in Germany before the courts. Namely for the omission of certain statements in a book that has long since been published and translated against the historian Dr. Alexandra von Teuffenbach and the Bautz publishing house.
Read More BRAZIL, Maria Fischer • “What if we launched a large international campaign seeking contributions to the Capital of Grace to help our brothers and sisters in Santa Cruz do Sul to reconquer and rebuild their shrine? Let us create a great current of support and accompaniment for them and show them that there is also community in Schoenstatt. It is an idea…” An idea that Claudio Ardissone from Assunción suggested to his international team members at schoenstatt.org when he saw the pictures of the interior of the shrine, with its
Read More BRAZIL, Luciana Rosas • Following the reaction to the article Abuses in Schoenstatt: a topic to be discussed, I realized that it is very important to give continuity to the topic and the debate, creating more knowledge, awareness, and empathy. This new analysis will be divided into three articles that will be published weekly, namely: Speaking about the comments, so that we can deepen the conversation about the most recurring themes in the comments published in schoenstatt.org when the first article was published; Are we prepared to receive allegations of abuse
Read More AMAZONIA, Maria Fischer • “In Bolivia we are suffering an unprecedented environmental tragedy. We need your prayers,” wrote Alexandra Kempf and Roberto Henestrosa, from Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Part of the Amazon rainforest, two-thirds of which is in Brazil, is currently being consumed by flames, but far more quickly than in the last six years. What initially began on Brazilian soil, has already reached the border regions with Peru and Bolivia. In the Santa Cruz area, where a new Schoenstatt Shrine will be blessed a few months from now,
Read More BRAZIL, Leonardo Rodrigues • On Sunday 16 June 2019, the Schoenstatt Boys Youth (JUMAS) in Guarapuava celebrated their twentieth anniversary, a reunion that touched the hearts of all who attended the celebrations. An encounter of the founding and new generations. It was an indescribable moment for the younger members to see the tears of nostalgia and the smiles on the faces of those who once had the experience of being JUMAS.— A short history Some say 20 years is such a short time, others say it’s an eternity. For us,
Read More BRAZIL, Sueli Vilarinho • The Shrine of our Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt in São Paulo/SP, situated in Jaraguá, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding and mission. The shrine was blessed on 31 May 1969 and since then, has welcomed many pilgrims, families, youth, consecrated men and women, and laity from so many different backgrounds, drawing them into a personal encounter with God through our Mother Thrice Admirable.— In order to celebrate these five decades of grace, the regional community of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers, together
Read More BRAZIL, Renate Dekker and Mechthild Jahn • Hoping, dreaming, waiting, trembling and more waiting: The time before you can start building a new shrine is long and challenging. Everyone who has recently dedicated a shrine knows this – the Schoenstatt Families in Costa Rica and Caieiras, Brazil – as well as those who are waiting, for example in San Luis, Corrientes and Resistencia in Argentina, Encarnación in Paraguay, or right now in the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil. We have had a plot for the first shrine in this
Read More WYD 2019, COSTA RICA, Maria Fischer • “We are always here to welcome the young people…” Cata Cabezas related. And they are— they were there greeting them, welcoming them, feeding them, giving them something to drink, preparing the shrine for their Mass, and providing them lodging in their homes (“Eight Brazilians in my sister, Daniela’s home, isn’t that great?”) They took them to sightsee and enjoy the local places of interest …and were there simply to be present to converse, share stories, inspire each other mutually with the real life
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