GERMANY, Peter Hagmann • In this second evening of the Men’s Workshop trilogy “Life crises that led to faith”, Milan recounts his journey: As a Croat in Bosnia, he was brought up as a Christian, but in his environment the Christian faith did not have much importance and this lasted for a long time. — Due to the bad environment, his life went off the rails. He experienced all kinds of drugs that led him straight to addiction: from hashish to heroin to synthetic drugs and alcohol. Again and again
Read More ARGENTINA, Maria Fischer • We begin our visit where it all began ten years ago, when Alejandra Pastene and Guillermo Ferreyra, from the Schoenstatt Institute of Families, together with Maria Pastene and Juan Ignacio Barrena, made their dream come true and founded the Covenant School, a school with Kentenich pedagogy. “Covenant”, can be seen on the door of the house where the initial level or kindergarten is located, and covenant awaits us in the wayside shrine, and in every corner of this house, in every person who greets us, in
Read More GERMANY, Pedro M. Dillinger • In the last few days we have celebrated the Archangels and the Guardian Angels. They are messengers, saviors and companions on our journey through life. In the “Männerwerkstatt” (men’s workshop) on October 2nd we asked ourselves: which people were messengers, saviors and companions on our path? One of our participants led us through this/his path. — “He radiated joy, imagination, paternal closeness and good nature, he awakened my interest…his simplicity opened the door for me…gateway to the men’s work (Schoenstatt Men’s League).” With an emotive
Read More COSTA RICA/Schoenstatt, Hugo García • Trusting, resting…like this little bird that perches securely on the cross of the bell tower of the Shrine, from my window in Marienland, I begin to understand better what it means to have complete and total trust, what is “Blank check Surrender”, the “Practical Faith in Divine Providence”…already in a totally practical and experiential way in my today. I hope, I trust, I pray, I believe! — This great experience lived during these days in Schoenstatt, Germany, began with the gratifying announcement by Father José
Read More POPE FRANCIS – JUBILEE 2025, editorial team • In the aftermath of the pandemic, Pope Francis believes that the upcoming Jubilee 2025 can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope.” — After the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic that the world has experienced, the Holy Father considers that “the flame of hope that has been given us and
Read More URUGUAY, Totus Tuus Mission • The Totus Tuus is the mission organized by the Schoenstatt Youth of Uruguay with 4th, 5th and 6th graders missionaries. In this 2021 year, it took place from Octobre 29th to 31st in Casabó (a neighborhood of Montevideo), with a total of 100 people. — Facundo Micheloni was invited by his brother; here he shares his experience: I came to Schoenstatt last year because my brother invited me. However, I did not know if it was really worth it to miss a whole weekend to
Read More GERMANY, Dietmar Herrmann • Tomorrow’s pastoral care is full of points of tension: Proximity and distance, power as a person and power in function, vulnerability, spiritual power and managerial power, secularity and religiosity, faith in life itself and faith in a personal God of life. During the first week of September 2021, 25 priests from the four Schoenstatt priestly communities met at the Marienau Priests’ and Guests’ House in Schoenstatt to explore. — As an introduction, Schoenstatt Father Hans-Martin Samietz gave insight into the role of the educator/pastor as seen
Read More SPAIN, Maria Fischer • “In this difficult moment, Mother of Mercy, “Madre, Ven” [Come, Mother in Spanish]. The image of Our Lady of Ephesus arrived from Ephesus (Turkey) in Valencia to visit the sick, elderly, prisoners, and religious communities. — Thus reads the note from Ainhoa Clavel from COPE in Valencia. A Pilgrim Mother has been traveling through Spain since May and people come from their homes to greet her, give her flowers, offer her rosaries, hymns, and prayers. A phenomenon in a country that has a high number of
Read More Fr. Pedro Kühlcke, Paraguay • A few days ago I received a letter in Italian, supposedly from some Trappist nuns in the United States, offering me financial help for social projects at the service of the poorest, and wanting to know what we do in this field. — I answered them in English, since I don’t know enough Italian, and told them about our prison ministry “Visitation of Mary”, and our post-prison program “House Mother of Tupãrenda”. I also wrote that we need support specifically to pay for the scholarships
Read More Msgr. Francisco Pistilli, Bishop of Encarnación • Meditate on this prayer and pray an Our Father and a Hail Mary for the sick and their families and for the health personnel and their families. — Our Father, who art in the hearts of thy children, blessed be thy name and blessed be thy infinite tenderness. Come with your Kingdom of peace and life, and embrace your little ones and the needy, in your mercy. Make us humble to love your will and live according to your desires, in our daily
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