COSTA RICA, Ricardo Barrantes • The morning of Saturday, November 3, began with rain at the Family of Hope Shrine, however, this did not prevent the preparations for the Covenant of Love that would be made moments later by several groups of couples from beginning. — Groups G4 Hearts pointed in Faith, G5 Messengers of Light, G6 Instruments of Mary, of the Family Branch of the East Sector of San José, G4 Walkers in Faith and G5 Homes welcomed by Mary of Carthage and a member of G2 of the
Read More COSTA RICA, Sergio Sánchez • The Covenant of Love with Mary is Schoenstatt’s original way of living the baptismal covenant. It expresses and guarantees our covenant with the Blessed Trinity. Understood in this way, it is “the source of vitality and the center of Schoenstatt’s spirituality”, the heart of Schoenstatt. And today, especially in the Family of Hope Shrine, this vitality could be experienced. — From very early in the morning, monitors and members of the Pastoral groups of the Shrine worked on all the details for the great celebration;
Read More COSTA RICA, Fr. José Luis Correa / María Fischer • On Monday, November 21, an encounter of priests connected to Schoenstatt was held in the city of Cartago, Costa Rica. — Seven diocesan priests participated along with Father José Luis Correa. A special moment was the presentation of the Pilgrim MTA of the Priests to the pastor of Turrialba in the Diocese of Cartago. A retreat for the priests was scheduled for January 23 at the Family of Hope Shrine in Santa Ana, San José. Original: Spanish. Translation: Maria Fischer
Read More COSTA RICA, Flora Rojas • Schoenstatt Costa Rica began its irruption in the Diocese of Ciudad Quesada, made up of several cantons in the northern part of the country, in the year 2020. After participating in the Fortalecimiento Matrimonial, the couple formed by Jorre Valeart (Belgian by birth), and Verónica Herrera (from San Carlos) called other couples to form a first group in San Carlos. A talk focused on young couples was held and while the desire to start meetings was growing, a national emergency was declared due to the
Read More COSTA RICA, Gabriela Quesada • Last July, work began with our national advisor, Father José Luis Correa, and with Father Manuel Peña, pastor of the Church of San Pablo, Heredia, on the enthronement of the picture of our beloved Blessed Mother in this parish. The goal was to have her with us on October 18, 2022 to celebrate and commemorate such an important date for us Schoenstatters. And so it was. — What began as a desire and a wish of several people from Heredia and Father Peña has become
Read More COSTA RICA, Laura Loaiza • On November 12, in the Family of Hope Shrine, in Santa Ana, San José, with great joy and a willing heart, three groups of the Ladies’ Branch of the Diocese of Cartago, with a total of 25 women sealed their Covenant of Love, in which they exchanged hearts, goods and interests with the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt. — This unforgettable moment was presided over by Father José Luis Correa. The Diocese of Cartago currently has ten groups of the Ladies’ Branch, inspired by the
Read More COSTA RICA, María Paula Alvarado • On Sunday, November 6th, twenty-four young university girls sealed their Covenant of Love in the Schoenstatt Shrine in San José. — This group prepared for eight workshops with their leaders, and the girls created attachments in their respective groups, in which joy and service to the Blessed Mother was reflected. Beyond being the leader of the university girls of San José/West, to have been part of this process as a leader was a great gift for me. The day I met all of them
Read More COSTA RICA, Fr. José Luis Correa • On November 4, a fraternity and formation meeting for diocesan priests was held at the Shrine of the Family of Hope, in Santa Ana, San José. — Fr. Erick Longan, bursar of the Archdiocese, Fr. Reyner Castro, who advises the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign in San José, Fr. Joel Levi, a priest of one year of ministry, and Fr. Manuel Peña, recently appointed as a member of the Metropolitan Chapter, participated in the Holy Mass at the shrine and then had a fraternal exchange.
Read More COSTA RICA, Martha Herrera • On Friday, September 23, 2022, a new and historic moment was experienced in Schoenstatt Costa Rica, because with great pride and joy, our first group of the Women’s Apostolic League has conquered their Home Shrine. — It was a very emotional process, of great learning, where there was an opportunity to share life experiences among the members and their respective families. This helped to visualize what each one of them expected and/or desired from their Home Shrine. This was also strengthened with the valuable opportunity
Read More COSTA RICA / SPAIN, Barbara de Franchesi • We have all mourned Marco Calzada. There has been no distance, no time. There, where there was a Schoenstatter; there, where we were reached by the news of the death of a young man who was assaulted on his way home – a young man, healthy and generous, who could have been any of our children – there have been tears and gratitude. As those who really knew him said… there has been victory. — I was not fortunate enough to know
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