Schoenstatt-Summer – an Idea Takes Shape

How the Covenant of Love for the Youth of the World is anchored in Schoenstatt – Kick-off for Schoenstatt-Summer takes place in Sonnenau

P. Lothar Herter en la etapa de organización Fr. Lothar Herter during the organizacional part of the meeting P. Lothar Herter bei der Organisation der Organisation
Ideas no les faltan, ni entusiasmo An abundance of ideas and a lot of excitement Viele Ideen und viel Begeisterung
P. Lothar Herter, Hna Vernita Weiß Fr. Lothar Herter, Sr. Vernita Weiß P. Lothar Herter, Schw. Vernita Weiß
¿El nuevo uniforme de la Juventud de Schoenstatt? The new uniform of the Schoenstatt Youth? Die neue Einheitstracht der Schönstatt-Jugend?
No, solo Carnaval No, just carnival Nein, bloß Karneval! Fotos: Schadt © 2006

SCHOENSTATT, Achim Schadt. ´How will it continue after the Youth Festival?´ asked Fr. Lothar Penners in his Sunday address during October Week 2005. This was a legitimate question to ask following last year’s phenomenal experience; it was also a challenge to the younger generations of Schoenstatt, as well as for the whole Schoenstatt family. Together with Sr. Vernita Weiss and Fr. Lothar Herter, 12 young adults from different countries and life situations (representing the Boys’ and Girls’ Youth, University Students, Young Professionals), gathered in Sonnenau on February 25/26 and gave a concrete answer to this question. The kick-off for Schoenstatt-Summer has begun!

For some time now, the idea of ´Schoenstatt-Summer´ has been traveling around the younger branches of the movement and has become a working-title for the youth project that could be established in Schoenstatt in the years following the Youth Festival and World Youth Day. The first official announcement of this idea was made in Fr. Penners aformentioned speech, and was, so to speak, the launch of a process; and already there are people thinking about how the spirit and enthusiasm surrounding the Original Shrine can be inflamed once more. How can this Covenant of Love for the Youth of the World be lived and anchored in Schoenstatt - the place itself?

A Youth Pilgrimage in August and many initiatives beforehand

The principal concern was the attachment to the Original Shrine, and with this, wanting to make the experience of the Covenant of Love more tangible. There should be an incentive for young people to come here and spend time in Schoenstatt; even to bring friends along who are unfamiliar with the movement.

What also needs to be considered are the resources available, or better said, what potential lies in the Schoenstatt family, because certainly, the youth cannot press on alone. It was evident that this project must be practically addressed. The international interest, enthusiasm for such a big undertaking and the movement’s untapped talent will all be discussed and challenged.

Even though the concept has not fully crystallized, what is definite is a Youth Pilgrimage to culminate Schoenstatt-Summer at the end of August. But before this highpoint, various other events will take place over the course of several weeks. An invitation is extended to youth to be creative and offer something during this time, and to invite others to do the same. There are no limits to the imagination! From canoe outings and bike tours, numerous workshops, seminars, Father Kentenich studies, to excursions, a soccer tournment and an open air cinema, almost anything is possible. But all these events and activities depend on the initiative of youth to offer their ideas and proposals for the project. The Schoenstatt-Summer team works more as coordinators of these individual contributions from the youth, rather than creators of the events and activities themselves. The core team is here to help with the contributions but it is the youth who must step-up and offer something to Schoenstatt-Summer for this project to be successful!

Youth encounter: a place to meet others

During the entire Schoenstatt-Summer, there will be ongoing spiritual programs offered by young people for young people; for example – morning and evening prayer and regular youth masses, so there is always the possibility to meet with other youth. Another spiritual element of the project that speaks to everyone, regardless of being physically present in Schoenstatt or not, is the Schoenstatt-Summer prayer and novena, available for anyone who would like to contribute to its success and participate spiritually. It is also possible for Schoenstatt youth throughout the world to spend a few months in Schoenstatt as a volunteer working on the different prep teams, organizing the Youth Pilgrimage or ongoing spiritual programs, or even offering an event or activity themselves to Schoenstatt-Summer.

An Open Forum for life around the Original Shrine

The participants of the recent Schoenstatt-Summer planning weekend met with the goal of giving a foundation to this idea of having youthful spirit and enthusiasm surrounding the Original Shrine continue after the Youth Festival, giving the concept structure and making it concrete; but also to keep it flexible so new team members, ideas and methods could easily be integrated. Everyone who’s interested in committing themselves to this project is very welcome to join us!

In order to get this Open Forum off the ground, there will be a Schoenstatt-Summer website providing information about current developments, events, and opportunities to chat/discuss and contact information for any questions or interest. Furthermore, flyers, newsletters and articles will be regularly published.

Fr. Penners, who joined the team for an evening, was pleased about the commitment shown by ‘young Schoenstatt’ and said that he and the Schoenstatt family are excited to see what the young people will initiate…