Casa de Misión de los Misioneros de Mariannhill en Brig, Valais: nuevo sede del Movimiento de Schoenstatt Mission House of the Mariannhill Missionaries in Brig,Valais: it will be the Schoenstatt Movement's Center Missionshaus der Mariannhiller Missionare in Brig, Wallis: ab 2004 übernehmen es die Schönstätter Marienschwestern; hier entstehen Heiligtum und Zentrum der Bewegung
Entrada al terreno en Brig Entrance to the terrain in Brig. Eingang zum Gelände in Brig Fotos: Archiv
Capitalario de la Juventud Masculina de la Suiza: tarea media cumplida... Rosary conquest of the Boys' Youth of Switzerland: half of the goal is reached… Rosenkranz-Eroberung des Heiligtums durch die Mannesjugend: auf halbem Weg… Fotos: www.schoenstatt.ch
Ermita en Birgisch/Naters Wayside shrine in Birgisch, Naters Bildstöckchen in Birgisch, Naters Foto: Horn © 2001
Vista de la valle de Valais View of the Valais valley Blick ins Wallis Foto: Archiv
Fotos: © 2003

SWITZERLAND, mkf. "Finally news from Valais!" There is a tone of joy and pride in this statement that came from Switzerland the other day. For months it was the central subject of talking and guessing, now it was officially confirmed on July 9: The Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary on come January 1, 2004, will take over the Mission House of the Mariannhill Missionaries in Brig at the Simplon pass. The Valais Shrine will be built there - soon! Since years, the Schoenstatt Movement of Valais searched for land for the future Shrine, and the building permission. In vain. In June 2002, a group of boys from the Schoenstatt Boys' Youth, during their visit to Milwaukee, USA, decided to move the mountains with prayer power, and promised to pray 100,000 decades of the rosary. After 45,831 decades, the building permission was granted.

Since years, the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, along with the Schoenstatt Movement of Upper Valais was searching for land to build the Schoenstatt Shrine and Center in this mountainous area in the interior of Switzerland. There had been pieces of land in Lingwurm, and in Birgisch, here even with a wayside shrine, but all plans failed.

Early this year, the Upper Valais Newspaper reported on July 9, the Mariannhill Missionaries communicated their decision to abandon the Mission House in Brig and move to the house in Altdorf. The Mariannhill Missionaries, and the Bishop of the Diocese, Norbert Brunner, wanted to preserve the house as a spiritual center for Upper Valais. Through 65 years, this house had served the Universal Church and its missionary tasks. For many people in Brig it is the place to go for retreat, and for prayer, especially Adoration. Therefore, the Mariannhill Missionaries informed the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary about their intentions, and offered the house to them.

Discussions already about the date of the blessing

Meanwhile, the General Councils of both communities as well as the relevant authority of the Vatican have agreed to the result of the negotiations. The Mariannhill Missionaries will leave the House after Easter 2004, the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary own it by January 1, 2004. Discussions are held with Bishop Brunner… not about the building permission for the Shrine, but about the date of the blessing. September 2004 is under discussion.

Come July 18, the responsible persons of the Schoenstatt Movement in Valais meet to discuss the next steps. So far it is not definitely clear how the many rooms in the house will be used, but it is clear, that the Valais Schoenstatt Movement has a home, and more: a place from where, like before, missionary spirit will irradiate.

Special joy, of course, can be sensed in the ranks of the Boys' Youth; they continue with the rosary, with a number of allies in the Schoenstatt Movement: 100,000 decades, promise is promise.