"The Secret of Schoenstatt is Hospitality!"

Military Catholic Women Find a Home in Schoenstatt

P. John Marsh, director spiritual de MCCW-E Fr. John Marsh, MCCW-E Spiritual Moderator P. John Marsh,  Geistlicher Leiter des MCCW-E Fotos: Egon Zillekens © 2008
Retiro para madres y sus hijas Mother-Daughter Weekend Mutter-Tochter-Wochenende
En el Santuario Original At the Original Shrine Vor dem Urheiligtum Fotos: Sr Angela Macari  © 2008

SCHOENSTATT, Sr. M. Angela Macari. When one studies the history of Schoenstatt, it cannot go unnoticed that it was through the striving of "saintly soldiers" – think "heroes memorial", notably Joseph Engling, Max Brunner, and Hans Wormer-- that the Movement spread and became more well known. Still today, members of the Military continue to find a home in Schoenstatt. On two separate occasions within the last three weeks, a total of 50 individuals connected to Military Service experienced Schoenstatt’s hospitality.

From April 19 through the 24, the Military Council of Catholic Women - Europe (MCCW-E) participated in their Spring Leadership Conference. "Sheltered in the Marienau Retreat House, we had everything we needed and more than we could have possibly wanted.", wrote Mary Ann Ernst, the Regional Director in a recent newsletter. The Conference Director, Amanda Hoffer and her assistant, Jennifer Hammer desired to come to Schoenstatt from the moment they were given the responsibility for the 2008 Spring Conference. The Spring Conference is designed to offer leadership training to the Presidents of each chapter from various Military Bases in Europe. Women traveled from Italy, England, Holland and even Qatar to participate. Although the MCCW-E had its own agenda to fulfill, the Conference Directors expressly asked that there would be an opportunity to "experience Schoenstatt" as well. The Schoenstatt International English Office gladly obliged. Visits to the Original Shrine, the Father Kentenich House, the Adoration Church -- where an Illuminated Rosary became a highpoint -- offered the women an opportunity to experience the pilgrimage graces welling here at the source. Two presentations were given to explain Schoenstatt Spirituality to the 35 women and 5 Military Chaplains who attended. In the first of these presentations, Mrs. Patricia Wiedemer -- a member of the Schoenstatt Mother’s League in Würzburg -- offered her own personal story as to how her contact with Schoenstatt Sisters at previous MCCW-E Conferences led her and her children to being at home in the Movement. Throughout the Conference, the women were open and responsive. A comment made at the closing banquet expresses the attitude of many, "I was in heaven. The Executive Board needs to take credit for bringing us here!" A member of the Executive Board, Fr. John Marsh, Spiritual Moderator, offered his own perspective, "The secret of Schoenstatt is hospitality! It was MCCW-E’s first Spring conference at Schoenstatt and I am sure we shall be returning in the future."

Mother-Daughter Weekend

The second occasion of hospitality was appreciated by five military wives and their daughters participating in a Mother – Daughter Weekend which took place in Haus Sonnenau from May 2, 2008. The Retreat, under the direction of the Schoenstatt International English Office, provided opportunities for the mothers and daughters to bond with one another and as the theme expressed become a MOTHER AND CHILD – UNITED IN LOVE. Saturday’s highlight was the Eucharistic Liturgy celebrated in English by Fr. Lothar Herter. Singing, crafts, games and Schoenstatt Tour rounded out the weekend. As one Mother related in an email: "My daughter and I wanted to send a little note to say a big THANK YOU for the wonderful weekend! We really did have a nice and relaxing time, and a time to hear others' stories and to come closer to Mary and Jesus. We feel blessed."

In gratitude for their generous and selfless service to the pursuit of peace in our world, may Schoenstatt’s hospitality continue to enrich and support today’s "saintly soldiers" and their families.