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Schoenstatt, ¿qué es? Introducción para jovenes que quieren pasar un tiempo en centros de Schoenstatt fuera de Alemania What is Schoenstatt? Introduction for young women who want to spend a time at Schoenstatt Centers outside of Germany Was ist Schönstatt? Einführungswochenende für junge Frauen, die eine „Auslandszeit“ an einem Schönstattzentrum machen möchten |
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Un intercambio intenso Sharing Reger Austausch und großes Interesse |
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Una visita al Santuario Original A visit at the Original Shrine Besuch am Urheiligtum |
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En la Casa Padre Kentenich In the Father Kentenich House Im Pater-Kentenich-Haus Fotos: Melissa Ann Schmid © 2008 |
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SCHOENSTATT, Melissa Schmid. During the weekend of January 4 – 6, 25 young women between the ages of 18 and 30 met in Schoenstatt to discuss with sisters the possibility of serving in Schoenstatt locations in foreign countries. The study abroad program, which was started in 2003 in Vallendar, is directed by Sr. Kerstin and Sr. Thereslita in the Sonnenau house. The participants have diverse backgrounds and various experiences with Schoenstatt. Some have grown up with Schoenstatt, and for others, the movement is entirely new. All have personal goals they wish to achieve by spending time abroad.
For Josefin Hake (18) from Visbek, her desires consist of spending four weeks in either Central America or South America in the summer of 2008. Her main purpose for choosing these regions is to enhance her knowledge of the country’s living conditions and identify opportunities to serve the less fortunate people in the area. She sees this experience as an impacting opportunity to learn to appreciate her home country more and to further discover her individuality. She is currently studying Tourism as her chosen career path and feels that spending time abroad will add value to her studies. Josefin stated that she has fears about living in a strange country, but since she has grown up in the Schoenstatt family, "I feel at home in Schoenstatt, regardless of where I am in the world."
In their hearts, they find peace and courage to answer God’s call.
Unlike Josefin’s life-long acquaintance with Schoenstatt, Christine Geier and Désireé Wollenschläger (19) were introduced to Schoenstatt for the first time during the weekend. The two friends come from Hornbach and Büchen respectively. They were informed about the study-abroad program Schoenstatt offers from Schoenstatt member, Sr. Traute, in Büchen. The two have plans to spend 6 months in Brazil, Argentina, or the Dominican Republic. They see this experience as an opportunity to learn and an excellent introduction to their university studies. Both Christine and Désireé shared that they had looked at several study-abroad programs but only felt certain about Schoenstatt’s program. They still have a lot to learn about Schoenstatt, but their hearts are at peace with their decision to serve in the Schoenstatt community.
After the weekend’s events, participants left Schoenstatt enthusiastically ready to embark upon their adventures abroad. Over the course of the year, the sisters of Vallendar’s Schoenstatt will collaborate with various Schoenstatt locations throughout the world to successfully place the young women in fitting positions. It is an exciting time in their lives to be young apostles in answering God’s call to serve and in spreading His message of love to all the ends of the earth.