laity Tag

“No somos laicos por omisión, por no haber decido ser sacerdotes, monjes o consagrados. Somos laicos por vocación”
SPAIN, Narcís Vidal, from the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt, Tarragona • A few days ago, I was invited by the diocese to participate in a congress for the laity in Madrid with a main theme: “The First Announcement”. — I must confess that my expectations were very low because of the reality around me. Accustomed to lectures full of ideas and desires where one then has the impression that it can come to nothing, or what is even worse, with rigid and strict concepts where one can hardly see theRead More
Laicos en el Sínodo
SYNOD ON SYNODALITY • This Synodal Assembly is reflective of the call of Pope Francis for lay men and women to participate for the first time, with active voice and a vote. Their particular charism is essential for a healthy discernment of the will of God and listening to the People, so that, as the Holy Father says, they can turn to him to look at him with mercy. — It is worth mentioning the personal efforts of men and women who have come to this Assembly from different partsRead More
Espiritu Santo
VATICAN, Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life • This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which concluded with a solemn Pentecost Vigil in St. Peter’s Square with Pope John Paul II on May 30, 1998. — The event held great importance for the journey of numerous ecclesial realities, many of which were born in the years immediately preceding or following the Second Vatican Council. It was an event that marked the ecclesialRead More
CIOF
COSTA RICA, Lourdes Rosabal •  Last May, the International Congress of the Schoenstatt Family Work (CIOF) was held in Asunción, Paraguay, with the participation of more than 150 couples from the three Schoenstatt Family communities, as well as about 25 consecrated persons, including Schoenstatt Fathers, Sisters, and members of the Institute Our Ladz of Schoenstatt. The event was a success as the couples came from a total of 17 countries in the Americas, the Caribbean and Spain. There was also a special participation from Hungary and Germany/Poland with the presenceRead More
SYNOD 2021 – 2024 • The General Secretariat of the Synod published on Thursday, October 27, the document for the new continental stage (January to March 2023) of the synodal process of the universal Church initiated by the Pope in 2021. — The text is the result of the summaries of the consultation of the People of God in the first stage of the synodal process and will be the basis of the work and “frame of reference” for “the period of listening, dialogue and discernment of the continental synodalRead More
Verónica Ciudad Pap
CHILE, Marita Miranda Bustamente • Verónica Ciudad Pap, a midwife by profession, married with two children and two grandchildren, comes from the Schoenstatt Family of Agua Santa and from now on she will coordinate the advisers of the Schoenstatt Mothers’ League throughout Chile, a position that until now was only held by the Sisters of Mary. In this interview, she says that this change will set a precedent in the Movement, she talks to us about her challenges, her struggle against lupus, the situation of women in the Church, andRead More
Authority and Responsibilities of Governance in Lay Aggregations
VATICAN, Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life • On September 16, 2021, the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life summoned the moderators, presidents, and international leaders of all ecclesial movements, new communities, and associations recognized or erected by the Holy See to reflect on the theme “The responsibility of governance in lay aggregations. An ecclesial service”. — The core issue of the day was that of closely examining the themes included in the General Decree “The International Associations of the Faithful“, with the aim of reflecting together on the exerciseRead More
Ernest M Kanzler
By Roberto M. González/mf  • Death is not a strange “coincidence” for all of us, but many times the quickness of it leaves us stunned, and in times of pandemic, where this virus has taken so many people very quickly to the kingdom of heaven, it does not cease to be something that surprises us. On December 23rd, on Christmas Eve and the first days of the Year of St. Joseph, Ernest M. Kanzler, Superior General of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Brothers of Mary, died. — “Exactly two weeksRead More
YOUTH – THE NOW OF THE CHURCH, WYD LISBON 2023 • The Holy Father announced that the #WYD and the World Meeting of #Families have each been postponed for one year: #Rome2022, #Lisboa2023.— Taking heed of the concerns of families and young people to adjust these events according to changed logistical circumstances and requirements, wanting to promote better organizational and pastoral preparation, taking into account the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic is having and will have on families and young people, these are the reasons behind the postponement of theRead More
SPAIN, Paz Leiva • Fifteen Schoenstatters were able to attend the National Congress of the Laity, thanks to the good work and perseverance of Susana Arregui, from the Mothers’ Branch, and Manuel Carrasco, from the Family League. Both have been working for many years in ecclesiastical institutions without any support or assistance. Nevertheless, they obtained more places to participate, than they originally had. Three of us from the Family Federation are with Manuel at the Journey of the Secular Apostolate and he encouraged us to participate in the Congress. HeRead More