EL SALVADOR, Florencia Couto • July a month full of life and fruitfulness in El Salvador! The first retreat of the Ladies Branch of Schoenstatt El Salvador took place with great success in an event full of inspiration and bonds of faith and friendship, last Saturday, July 15. — The encounter, called “Mary, model of woman, wife and mother”, was presided by Father José Luis Correa and convoked about 40 women who sought to imitate the Virgin Mary and strengthen their faith, to become those little Marys that the world
Read More MEXICO, Gabriela de la Garza • Time flies when you are doing something you love! Eight years ago, a group of women from the women’s pillar of Schoenstatt Monterrey, came together dreaming of being able to offer a space where many more like us, could take a break from their busy lives, reconnect with themselves, learn new tools that they could easily apply in their daily lives and at the same time, share experiences with other women who seek to grow and transcend. — This is how Ándale María (Come
Read More Bárbara de Franceschi, Spain • This morning, looking at you, Mary, I gave thanks for every woman. For all that you are, for your delicate purity, your capacity to love each and everyone, your gentle gaze and your arms holding the Child and in Him each one of us. — Today, surely, all women: the women of that time, wrapped in that long garment, who at home made their bread every day, waiting for their children who brought fresh fish that they themselves caught with their nets, who taught them
Read More Elke Karmann, Germany • When I read your article “I want everything …”, I thought: How beautiful that someone is writing what is also burning on the nails of many of us Schoenstatters. I, too, have followed with interest the German Synodal Way and the documents prepared for it, especially with regard to women, and I was able to follow most of the discussions and votes of the third plenary assembly of the Synodal Way – thanks to the Internet. As a Schoenstatter, I was especially pleased that Bishop Gerber
Read More GERMANY, Bettina Betzner • I like to wear beautiful and for me stylish clothes, whether at work or privately. Quality is important to me and since this year, sustainability, a new ecological awareness in the spirit of Laudato Si.— On the one hand, the clothing should emphasize the personality of the wearer, because what we wear and how we wear it is an expression of our soul and sends a personal message to our surroundings. So it is not just a matter of something being “veiled” somehow, but Am I
Read More GERMANY, Bettina Betzner • In the midst of the turmoil of World War I in 1917, a young woman experiences an encounter that will change her life abruptly. For the observer it is an inconspicuous encounter and yet a decisive moment. After a prayer in a small side room in the military hospital, a conversation between two people begins, which will change their lives. Through Frater Franz Salzhuber, Countess Gertraud von Bullion learns about the existence of the Apostolic Federation of Schoenstatt. It is an association of lay people who
Read More CHILE, P. Juan Pablo Rovegno • But “I will see thy face in righteousness, I will be satisfied with thy form when I awaken,” sings the antiphon of the psalm this Sunday. The awakening of Chile was at the centre of the news, the “hopes and fears, joys and sorrows” of these days. — An awakening that presents us with (at least) three spiritual dimensions with concrete consequences: Awakening to hope for a fairer, more solidary and more fraternal Chile, a wake-up call to legitimate needs, always postponed and made
Read More GERMANY, Maria Fischer • “What impresses me is Fr Kentenich’s far-sightedness. Much is so exciting and topical”, Petra Stegemann remarked. Since the foundation of the Friends Association of Fr Kentenich’s birthplace in 2005 she has been an active member, and also on this 16 November 2019 she was present when the Friends Association, parish and Schoenstatt Movement celebrated the birthday of “the greatest son of Gymnich” (Ludwig Schlömer, member of the Friends Association). — “More have come than were announced”, Fr Pikos, the parish priest, said as more chairs and
Read More GUATEMALA, Cori Verdugo • “Two friends that had never heard of Schoenstatt came to Father José Luis Correa’s talk and at the end commented to me: ‘I loved it, I loved it!’ And they are going to participate in my group!” On Thursday, 25 July, 2019, the Schoenstatt Ladies’ Branch (Mothers) of Guatemala City held a conference for women, in San Martin de Porres’ parish, with the topic “Harmonizing head, heart, and will” and a large group of women participated, some of whom already knew Schoenstatt and participate in the
Read More SPAIN, by Patricia Navas in Aleteia.org • Her marriage separation has transformed her into an expert on closing emotional wounds. In Spain, María Luisa Erhart has listened and accompanied separated married persons for more than ten years through a Catholic service that she leads, which bears the name of the place Jesus rested – Betania [Bethany]. In the following interview in Aleteia, she shares her healing process and confirms that “when God allows a separation, it is always for a greater good.” What common sufferings do separated people experience? Not
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