GERMANY, Tobias Büdel • The relationship between two partners is like a campfire. With the first spark of love the flame begins to burn. Yet, without regular replenishment of the logs, the blazing fire will diminish over time. The Wedding-REVIVAL should become such a log for marriage – new breeding ground for the flames of love.— It is easy to describe the added value of the wedding REVIVAL in Dietershausen with this metaphor. Ten couples were able to enjoy an intimate four-course menu from chef Enrico Meder – with00 romantic
Read More PARAGUAY, Adriana Cardozo • Sometimes a random act, that is somewhat trivial, like googling “Help for couples in the Schoenstatt Movement” leads us in ways God has prepared for us. This is how I got to know the Blessed Mother and a transformation of my life and family began, albeit with some stumbles and interruptions. — We had reached the level of the Family Branch Covenant, but looking back, I realized that had been made possible through many people I met in the Movement. Today I clearly understand they were
Read More PARAGUAY, Morocha and Carlos Etchegaray • The Tayi Group is here today, forty years after being called. We want to express thanks for choosing us to be a part of our nation’s Schoenstatt Family and for being a part of the first generation. Looking at the present and seeing how the Movement has grown in broadness and fruitfulness, we can affirm with humility and joy that the motto guiding us at that time and everything that was offered was not in vain: “Mary descend in Tupãrendá through your giving of
Read More SPAIN, Manuel de la Barreda Mingot • The first Forta (Marriage Strengthening) in Spain took place the weekend of 30 September to 2 October 2016, and I had the immense good fortune to attend with my wife, Lourdes. Due to Forta’s set up, we will not reveal anything that happened during the session or its content, so couples that attend in the future can enjoy it fully, including allowing oneself to let go and trust. One must lay him/herself bare becoming small and humble, opening oneself up to what comes
Read More GERMANY, María del Carmen de las Peñas de Gallardo • “Forta” (Marriage Strengthening) is a marriage retreat that has its own personality; it began in Mexico and it has been successful in several countries, but…Germany was missing out, the Schoenstatt Homeland! From Friday to Sunday, 9-11 September, the first Marriage Strengthening took place in Germany. It is a long weekend, where couples take the time to reencounter one another and polish that first love that is often dimmed by routine and the work of daily life and which has to
Read More MEXICO, Ana Echavarría Barrios • On Saturday, 10 September, throngs of Mexicans took to the streets of several Mexican cities to demonstrate in favor of the family. Large marches in several cities from the thirty-one states anticipated the Large National March 24 September in Mexico City. Some bishops participated in the convocation organized by people of different beliefs and convictions, among them evangelicals and Mormons. The organizers made it very clear that their demonstration “did not want to offend anyone,” because “we respect the dignity of every person independent of
Read More CHILE/MEXICO/ALEMANIA, Maria Fischer • Conference planning, translations, coordination, discussions via Whatsapp between Chile, Mexico and Germany was done with great effort, terrific anticipation, and considerable sacrifice. Now, on the morning of Mary’s Nativity, everything that was humanly possible to prepare for the launching of the first Marriage Strengthening with Schoenstatt in Germany had been done. What remained was to place it in Mary’s hands and to crown her as Queen of Marriage Strengthening in Germany. They were nine couples from Chile and Mexico, who met at nine o’clock on this
Read More MEXICO, David Tijerina Sáenz and Mónica Díaz E. de Tijerina • We are David and Monica, we have been married for almost nine years, and we want to share our experience of carrying out an apostolate together with the aim of motivating you to open yours and others hearts to work during this Year of Mercy. Since we were married and because of the different circumstances life presented to us, we began to form ourselves in the Faith. Hand in hand, we began to feel the call to contribute, in
Read More CELAM, by Marité and Ramón Marini, Paraguay • Over the years and with different life experiences, we have learned that God manifests himself and inspires the people who meekly open themselves to his plans, knowing how to interpret everything that comes from Him. There are many examples in our history…our Father and Founder was a clear example, with the witness of his life and his loyal giving of self to the Church. We can also “feel” God’s intervention with the election of our beloved Pope Francis. He is now the
Read More ARGENTINA, by María Fischer • “Today I am 40 years old,” joyfully said a woman who seemed much younger. Her two little children were on her lap. And before everyone could sing “Happy Birthday,” she surprised everyone with her announcement: “We are going to get married…” From the stairs outdoors, where most of the men stayed, a faint, distant voice could be heard echoing her statement: “Yes, it is true, we are going to get married”. There was spontaneous and sincere applause. “You should know he was an alcoholic,” Cristina
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