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El Santuario de Monte Moriah The Shrine at Mount Mariah Das Heiligtum auf Berg Moriah Foto: Wolf © 2002 |
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SCHOENSTATT, mkf. The Schoenstatt Institute of Diocesan Priests is preparing for the Fourth General Congress after the new founding of the community after the return of Father Kentenich from Milwaukee. In three sessions - January 18 through 24, 2004; August 26 through September 9, 2004, with the dedication of the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine inclusive -; and January 16 through 22, 2005 - thirty members from eight countries will unite in the Central House of the Institute, on Mount Moriah, to set the course for the future, make important decisions in view of the international community and elect an new general council.
On January 20, the participants of the Congress together with the Schoenstatt Fathers of the Sion Province, now united for their Annual Conference, will concelebrate the festive Holy Mass in commemoration of the anniversary of January 20, 1942. That day, Father Joseph Kentenich, founder of the Schoenstatt Movement, decided to leave aside all human means that possibly could have avoided being confined to the concentration camp of Dachau, and instead to offer his freedom for the interior freedem, growth and fruitfulness of the Schoenstatt Movement.
Main celebrant of the Mass, for the first time celebrated not in the morning but at 7:30 PM so that more can participate, is Father Franz Brügger, provincial of the Sion Province.
Prayer request
"We are convinced," worte Fr. Michael Schapfel in a prayer request spread via mail, "that the prayer of many brothers and sisters, especially from the Schoenstatt Movement, will be an important contribution that our considerations and decisions may be fruitful. We invite all and each one to share this request with friends and ask that many pray for us, so that many spiritually join the congress and accompany our community.
We really ask you to include our congress in your prayers.
A short response from your side would for us be a special gesture, to know that we are indeed accompanied by your prayers, by the prayers of many.
A short remark thinking in the great interest that all will have to know the new superiors. As you know, we are a community of diocesan priests, and thus we neither can nor want to take such an important decision without the consent of our bishops. Therefore, the actual election of the new superior general will only take place between August and September this year. You will understand that any discussions during the first session, as well as with the bishops concerned, are under strict confidentiality.
More than ever we therefore also ask you to pray for the bishops directly involved in these decisions.
Thanking for you accompanying us with your prayers, I wish you all the blessing of the Holy Child and his Mother, happy New Year!
Fr.Michael Schapfel."