Schoenstatt growing in India

Exciting Schoenstatt Youth activities in Kerala

Juventud Femenina: visita a un hogar de ancionos Girls’ Youth: visiting a nursing home Mädchenjugend: Besuch in einem Altenheim
Juventud Femenina Girls’ Youth Mädchenjugend unterwegs
Juventud Masculina Boys’ Youth Mannesjugend
Juntos caminamos… Together we go… Gemeinsam auf dem Weg
Padres de Schoenstatt que trabajan en el Movimiento, en Madurai Schoenstatt Fathers who are working in the Movement, in Madurai In der Bewegungsarbeit eingesetzte Schönstatt-Patres, in Madurai Fotos: Nellissery © 2006

INDIA, Fr. Johnson Nellissery. Schoenstatt in India started years ago with big numbers of young women and men joining the Institute of the Schoentatt Sisters of Mary, and the Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers. The Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt is also present. Pilgrims are attracted to the Shrines in India – two in Bangalore, one in Madurai, one in Irinyalakuda. The Pilgrim Mother Campaign seems to prove to be, like in many other countries, a powerful force to bring Schoenstatt to wider circles and attract lay people to commit themselves with the mission of the Mother Thrice Admirable. There is also a growing Schoenstatt Youth.

The team of the Schoenstatt Fathers who work in the movement in Bangalore, Tamil Nadu and Kerala got together for a meeting in Madurai which lasted two days. Eight fathers and three seminarians took part in the meeting. There was an evaluation of over all performance of the movement in the past year. The participants discussed about the focus of this year’s Movement work. All of them agreed to focus this year on the possibility to begin with the families. There are some families from the Pilgrim Mother Campaign who show interest for the league. So attempt could be made. The team is confident of building up the movement in three states in India. Attempts also will be made to strengthen the youth and the Pilgrim Mother Campaign.

A Day of Joy and Excitement

The Schoenstatt Boys youth in Kerala, India had a day out to Athirappilly on 12th November 2006, to a famous waterfall where their regular meeting also had been conducted. Forty six boys came along with lot of fun and excitement. They enjoyed the pure nature. In the meeting, a coordinating committee had been instituted to organize the forthcoming Christmas Night. The bath in the streams after the meeting remains unforgettable. Fr. Johnson Panthappillil accompanied and guided the youth.

A day of Experience and Entertainment

The girls’ wing of Schoenstatt Youth in Kerala had a great day of entertainment and experience as they went for a day out to Nelliyampathi on 11th November 2006, to a hilly station. On the way to the picnic spot, they spent some time visiting an old age home named "Daivadhana Centre". The girls shared their joy with almost eighty elderly people of the center. The hilly station is famous for its many tea estates. The beauty of the place is so amazing. The group also set apart some time for prayer. Fr Johnson Panthappillil and two Sisters of Mary accompanied the group.