Christmas Tag

Adviento
Fr. José Javier Arteaga – Schoenstatt Fathers • Dear brothers and sisters: The World Cup has begun and all the attention in the conversations and in the media revolves around the matches, the national team and whether we are positioned to win the cup. The big question is whether the national team is well prepared to win. But without making so much noise – like all transcendent things – this Sunday begins the season of Advent and a new liturgical year. The word advent comes from the Latin adventus andRead More
Roma
ITALY, Patricia Manson • For fifteen years now, week after week, a small group of Schoenstattian faithful have been unfailingly meeting every Wednesday at the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine in Rome to pray the Rosary. As long as it was possible, and I could find a ride since I do not drive, I too most willingly would join them to participate in a prayer gathering of a rather new type for me, who grew up in a Protestant environment. — I must admit that at first I met with difficulty inRead More
Weihnachten 2021
Christmas  2021 • “To accept littleness means something else too. It means embracing Jesus in the little ones of today. Loving him, that is, in the least of our brothers and sisters. Serving him in the poor, those most like Jesus who was born in poverty. It is in them that he wants to be honoured. ” On the second Christmas marked by the pandemic, and in the midst of the shocking, the outrageous, the horrible that is happening in the world and to which we must never become accustomed,Read More
Columna P. Enrique Grez López
Fr. Enrique Grez • The days go by and many of us complain that Advent is slipping through our fingers. Here is a selection of digital calendars that can help us in the preparation of Christmas. — We have lived strange years. The disease has struck each of us differently, but all of us together, and the approach of Christmas is an opportunity to take responsibility for what we have lived through. To take account, to make amends, and to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, whichRead More
Requiem Ernest M. Kanzler
SCHOENSTATT, Maria Fischer • When a member of the International Presidium dies, the news goes around the world. The pendulum between unity and diversity (of apostolate preferences, opinions, vocation options) then tilts very strongly toward unity and one is there, walking and carrying along; even in the midst of the Christmas season and in the midst of the Corona Lockdown.  On the night before Christmas Eve, Ernest M. Kanzler, Superior General of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Brothers of Mary, passed away. On December 29th, 100 people in the Pilgrims’Read More
Encuentro
SPAIN, Pilar de Beas• Christmas was coming and already during Advent, we had started preparing backpacks filled with food and clothes for our friends: the poorest of the poor who do not even have a roof over their heads. — The great “distribution” date was drawing closer and we felt like the Magi from the East, bringing those who were waiting for us the only gift that they will receive: backpacks. And this time they are filled with lots of hard work, prayers and contributions to the Capital of Grace,Read More
Pope Francis, Christmas 2020 • No, Christmas is not cancelled. Not in lockdown, not with contact restrictions, not for all who are alone, not even with Christmas Mass canceled. Because a child is born to us, a son is given to us. In a Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica marked by pandemic-related restrictions, Pope Francis recalled the essence of Christmas. God’s Son came, Francis said “came to make us, as God’s children, holy by grace.  Yes, God came into the world as a child to make us children ofRead More
ORIGINAL SHRINE, Maria Fischer • First of all: It wasn’t us! When Father Pablo Pol’s message was spread about the letters sent to the Blessed Mother in the Original Shrine that broke the jar, many said to themselves, “But the last time we delivered letters via Schoenstatt.org the jar was still in perfect condition! This Christmas, just in case, we put the more than 750 letters in a paper bag, which was placed next to the old jar, which for the moment replaces the one that was broken. —  Read More
COSTA RICA, Margarita de Escorriola • This third Sunday of Advent, my fourth course of the Family Federation of Costa Rica (FIDELITAS course) went out into the streets of the city of San José, faithful to the Gospel of the day that asked us to “go and proclaim”; we Fidélitas went out to meet the neediest to give ourselves with joy. — In this time of Advent, we rejoice because the coming of the Lord is near and we prepare so many things to receive Him! But we must notRead More
PARAGUAY, Fr. Pedro Kühlcke/mf Christmas in jail? It is sad reality for hundreds of young adolescents in Itagua, Paraguay’s Juvenile Detention Center close to the Tupãrenda Shrine. Christmas in jail? While others rest, sing, feast, and enjoy family and friends? Madness! Madness and a joy for the Schoenstatt prison ministry team. — “Thank you for remembering us on such a special day!” some of the young men said, almost tearfully … Ismelda, she is the “snack boss” each Saturday, comments: “It is worthwhile!! For a hug, for a happy face,Read More