SPAIN, 2nd Course of the Apostolic Family Federation in Spain • A cynical Spanish proverb says that “there is no such thing as a bad dead person.” It refers to the fact that when a person dies, all his faults are forgotten, and his virtues are exaggerated and sometimes invented. — For this reason, anyone reading this text without having known Ignacio Quintanilla may rightly think that it is a typical obituary. But it is not. We want to reflect, with absolute respect for the truth, what our friend and
Read More SPAIN, Laura Toves • On May 31, one of the important dates that we celebrate every year, Belén and Óscar sealed their Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother. — The day could not have been better, sunny and warm, after the heavy rains of the previous days. It was the perfect afternoon for a great event. They were surrounded by their brothers and sisters from the 6th course of the Apostolic Family Federation in Spain, the most recent course, and by a large delegation from the Family Federation. How
Read More PARAGUAY/ SPAIN, Laura Toves • A few months ago we were surprised with totally unexpected news. We were offered to go to Asunción, Paraguay, for an international congress of the Schoenstatt Family Movement (CIOF). We were amazed, because we really did not expect something like this. Moreover, we imagined that perhaps the Family Federation wanted to send another couple. The truth is that we thought very little about it. This is one of those opportunities that should not be missed. — When the Paraguayan organization included us in a WhatsApp
Read More SPAIN, Luis Enrique Zamarro • Leadership in the Federation is embodied in service. If they (we) are an elite corps, it is in the daily struggle for holiness, and for generous dedication to others. — About three months ago I moved to a new place of work. From the car park to the office there is a church that is open (at least) at half past seven in the morning. Since then, I go in every morning and have rediscovered the Lauds prayer that I have always enjoyed so much;
Read More PARAGUAY, Johanna Chávez • The Family Federation in Paraguay continues to grow with new couples in new dioceses and places. As in all the Federations and Institutes of Schoenstatt, there are two spaces of belonging and growth for each member: the course as a free space and the region as an official space, each with its own identity and complementary mission in a healthy creative tension. Around the Shrine of Tuparenda, there is a growing desire for the constitution of a new Region. — On a rainy night in Tupãrenda,
Read More SPAIN, Tano Soler Morellá and Belén Pérez Alemany • On Friday, January 20, we sealed our Perpetual Consecration to the Family Federation. Along with us, our course brothers renewed theirs, celebrated four years earlier, in 2019. — It was a precious moment of grace poured out, a simple celebration, full of affection and joy. A real and strong community experience. There was one word that resonated in our hearts throughout the celebration. Father José María pronounced it, and we also said it at some point during that precious night of
Read More COSTA RICA, Maria Fischer • On Holy Family Day, Friday, December 30, the first Costa Rican member of the Family Federation, Isidro Perera, passed away. Together with Pat Fernandez they were national co-advisors of the Movement in El Salvador. — I cannot and do not want to get ahead of the memories, gratitude, thoughts of the Movement in Costa Rica and El Salvador, of people and communities that shared moments of mission and dedication with Isidro. But I want to dedicate a couple of lines in schoenstatt.org to this great
Read More COMMUNITIES, Claudia Echenique / Maria Fischer • The International Federation of Schoenstatt Mothers met in General Chapter to officially establish its community and elect its first General Council. In a festive Mass, celebrated by Fr. Juan Pablo Catoggio, concelebrated by three Schoenstatt Fathers, and with the presence of the participants of the General Chapter of the Apostolic Family Federation, the Founding Document was presented, and the Constitution of the International Apostolic Federation of Schoenstatt Mothers was celebrated. — September 8, the Nativity of Mary, is also the anniversary of the
Read More International Apostolic Schoenstatt Family Federation • Today, the 4th General Chapter of the International Apostolic Schoenstatt Family Federation has elected a new International Leadership for a 5-year term. — The leadership consists of the following couples: Silvina and Raúl Viñas, Argentina, international leader Margarita and Alcides González, Paraguay, 1st counselor couple, Maria and Stefan Pelz, Germany, 2nd counselor couple, Martha and Martin Rigler, Austria, 3rd counselor The following substitute couples were also elected: Małgorzata and Wojciech Szczeblewscy, Poland, first substitute couple, Luciana und Edso Mocelin, Brazil, second substitute couple, Lenka
Read More CHAPTER OF THE FEDERATION OF FAMILIES, Paz Leiva and Miguel Ángel Rubio • This is the third Chapter from the translation booth for Paz and the first one for Miguel Ángel, who does it from the secretary’s table. — The 4th Chapter of the Apostolic Family Federation (FAF) began on the first of September in Hillscheid. The participants are the International Directorate and two couples from each of the autonomous territories. This time, one couple from each of the territories that are close to becoming autonomous was also invited. Each
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