Upcoming Schönstatt-Events November 2000

From Santa Maria, the Pilgrim MTA set out to 60 countries - Celebration in Ecuador Von Santa Maria aus in sechzig Länder: die pilgernde Gottesmutter - Feier in Ecuador

Foto: Schoenstatt Ecuador © 2000

Feast of the Pilgrim Shrines in Germany, May 2000 Pilgerheiligtumsfest in Deutschland, Mai 2000

Foto: PressOffice Schoenstatt, hbre © 2000

November 2 - 5, 2000

International Meeting: "Pilgrim MTA - Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign," in Santa Maria, Brazil

In Santa Maria, Brazil, where the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign began 50 years ago through the efforts of João Pozzobon, the first International Meeting of co-ordinators (with representatives not only from South America but also from other continents) will be held as a forum of evaluation, reflection and sharing, November 2 - 5, 2000. The themes of the conferences are the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign's significance for the Schoenstatt Movement, for the Church, and for society. Testimonies from the different countries will be shared; some guidelines and standards of the Campaign are to be discussed. The delegates will also reflect on the life and work of João Pozzobon. Since September 9, 1950, when João Pozzobon received the first Pilgrim Shrine, this initiative has spread to 60 countries:

South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Columbia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama
North America/Caribbean: Dominican Republic, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, USA
Europe: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Byelorussia
Australia/Pacific: Australia, New Zealand
Africa: Benin, Burundi, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zaire, Zimbabwe
Asia: China, India, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, Philippines , Thailand

Congress: 60th Anniversary of the Schoenstatt Girls' Youth in Brazil

Approximately 300 girls from Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and the Federal District will meet in Londrina, Brazil, for a National Congress to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Schoenstatt Girls' Youth in Brazil.

November 5, 2000

"A Day With Mary" - Jundiai, Brazil

The third "Day with Mary," celebration honoring the Schoenstatt Pilgrim MTA, will take place in Jundiai, Brazil. Over 10,000 people will unite in singing, praying, and praising the Triune God and Mary. The day will culminate with a festive holy Mass, with Bishop Amauri Castanho presiding. All Pilgrim Shrines will be crowned again or for the first time. Since 1992, the "Days with Mary" have been held in various dioceses in Brazil. Initially planned as days of inspiration and motivation for co-ordinators, they soon turned into a feast of faith for the whole parish or city.

Construction site of the new Shrine in Puerto Montt, Chile Baustelle des neuen Heiligtums in Puerto Montt, Chile

Foto: Schoenstatt Ecuador © 2000

November 18, 2000

Dedication of the Schoenstatt Shrine in Puerto Montt, Chile

On Covenant Day, Bishop Bernardo Cassaro of Puerto Montt, Chile, will dedicate the new Schoenstatt Shrine – the southern-most one in the world. From this day on through the end of the Holy Year on January 6, this Shrine will be appointed as the diocese's official place of pilgrimage where the Indulgence can be obtained. Father Kentenich, the Founder of the International Schoenstatt Movement, visited Puerto Montt on July 17/18, 1947. With joy, the small Schoenstatt Movement in Puerto Montt found out that the former route that was taken by the train he used is in very short distance from the site of the new Shrine. Father Kentenich saw the place of the Schoenstatt Shrine! The Shrine is situated on top of a hill with a breathtaking view of the ocean, the Tenglo Island, and the city of Puerto Montt on the one side and the volcanoes of the Cordilleras on the other side. The cornerstone was laid on December 8, 1999. On August 15, 2000, the MTA picture for the Shrine was received with all honors at the airport, greeted with typical songs of the area and folk dances. It was solemnly brought to the cathedral. Since then, the MTA picture has been traveling to all of the parishes in the diocese of Puerto Montt.

Pater Josef Kentenich

Foto: Archiv © 2000

November 18, 2000

Covenant Day - Father Kentenich's birthday

On the 18th day of each month, tens of thousands of Schoenstatt members and friends gather by a shrine, way side shrine, home shrine or pilgrim shrine. Spiritually united with each other, they renew the Covenant of Love with Mary, the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt. Those who do this in Schoenstatt represent all of them by the Original Shrine and by the tomb of Father Kentenich, the places which are the "heart" of Schoenstatt. The Covenant Celebration is at 7:30PM in the Adoration Church. November 18 is also the day of Father Kentenich's birthday (born Nov. 18, 1985) a day of joy for his charisma, a day of thanksgiving for his life and work. In Ecuador, a "serenata" will be performed by the Shrine on this occasion. To join in the celebration of Father Kentenich's birthday by the Shrine, approximately 900 pilgrims (19 busloads) will come to Atibaia, Brazil, on November 18, and at least 4,600 pilgrims (92 busloads) on November 19.

Weikirchen Schoenstatt Center Schönstatt-Zentrum Weiskirchen

Fritz Esser

Fotos: Archiv © 2000

November 19, 2000

Weiskirchen, Germany - Fritz Esser's 100^th birthday

The Schoenstatt Movement in the Mainz Diocese will Fritz Esser (born Nov. 20, 1900) and on the same day bring the spiritual cornerstone for the extension of the Training Center. Fritz Esser was among the first students who built Schoenstatt together with Father Kentenich in 1914. His special love and care was expressed by his dedication to the Shrine. He crafted the first light frame with the words: "Servus Mariae numquam peribit" - A Child of Mary will never perish. Already critically ill with tuberculosis, in 1920 he bagan to organize the collecting of stamps to raise funds for dishes and linens needed in Schoenstatt for the retreats. Father Kentenich helped him to find meaning in his sickness and to offer up his life for Schoenstatt. Fritz Esser, the first Schoenstatt member of the Mainz Diocese, died on January 18, 1924. In 1995, his remains were buried by the Shrine in Weiskirchen near Frankfurt.

English edition: Joan Biemert, New Franken, Wisconsin, USA