We want to serve Schoenstatt. We see it as a great mission.

Sponsoring our Schoenstatt: the 2014 Conference will be accompanied by prayer – Interview with the married couple, Cristián Julio Orrego and Verónica González Morandé

Oración en la ermita de Goya – la familia entera participa de la Conferencia Prayer at the wayside shrine in Goya – the entire Schoenstatt family participates in the Conference Gebet am Bildstock in Goya – die ganze Schönstattfamilie nimmt so an der Konferenz teil Foto: Petiti © 2009
La familia Julio en Schoenstatt, celebrando las bodas de plata The Julio in Schoenstatt, celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary Familie Julio in Schönstatt, bei der Feier der Silberhochzeit Foto: Julio © 2009
Stephanie y Lea, de la JF de Endel, Alemania, tambien trabajan para la Conferencia Stephanie and Lea, of the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth in Endel, also work (and pray) for the Conference Stephanie und Lea aus der Schönstatt-Mädchenjugend Endel sind auch für die Konferenz 2014 im Einsatz Foto: K. Fischer © 2009

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. "On February 7^th, the Campaign in Goya will pray with the entire family of the Blessed Mother for the success of the 2014 Conference! We will be whole-hearted actors in a Schoenstatt milestone! We will unite with the International Family gathered in Schoenstatt at the holy source of graces so that God may hear our petitions that the Centennial be a renewal of the Blessed Mother’s presence among her favorite children! Inés Petiti, a Campaign coordinator, is enthusiastically organizing a day of prayer for the 2014 Conference, and this in peak vacation season!

Families in Minnesota (USA) will be praying in their Home Shrines on February 3^rd. The Schoenstatt Family in Oregon (USA) will be praying for a successful opening of the Conference on February 3^rd. The two young volunteers from the Girls’ Youth in Endel, Germany who are doing their educational practicum at the Press Office (with dedication and seriousness) are counting the available accommodations around Schoenstatt – "We already have, more or less, 12,000 persons! In 2014, we want to be able to proclaim: All can come to you as we are now, 10 minutes before the manger!" They are also motivating the Girls’ Youth to be involved with the prayer current. The Boys’ Youth from Brazil is taking part; the Sisters of Mary are in charge of one day, and the Joseph Kentenich School in Trujillo, Peru also wants to participate. "We are committed to pray for the success of the Conference on February 7^th," Inés writes in an email to all the coordinators in the diocese. "If you include all of the families receiving the Pilgrim MTA, Blessed Mother and Father Kentenich will be very happy!!! We will collaborate so that this preparatory conference for the 100 years of Schoenstatt will become a Covenant of Love. Thank you for going to the Wayside Shrine whenever you can on that day!!! The coordinators of the Pilgrim Blessed Mother and the entire family of the Blessed Mother will be united in the Covenant of Love through prayer and contributions to the Treasury of Grace. We will be united to the source of graces so that God will look upon this centennial and Blessed Mother and Father Kentenich will smile on their family." A plan for all the delegates, right?!

We encourage you to prepare for a time of festivity, joy and a great deal of commitment

How do the delegates from the different countries feel shortly before the Conference? The Julios – celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary with their 8 children in Schoenstatt – they are from Santiago, Chile and are anxious to "have a cup of coffee in the Press Office and talk." They forwarded their interview and joyfully answered the questions.

How do you prepare for the conference?

Primarily, we prepare with prayer. We are having meetings with the other delegates from Chile and getting our ideas together. We are seeking ideas from other persons. We are encouraging those who want to talk to us. We are motivating them to prepare for a time of festivity, joy and a great deal of commitment with the Church and the world.

This is the first time there is a conference which is so international with representatives from 32 countries in Schoenstatt. What does participating in it mean to you?

To be able to be a part of the preparation for the Centennial of Schoenstatt’s foundation is for us a gift from God. It is an honor to be chosen. It is a challenge to have this mission of participating and bringing back to Chile all that was worked on and experienced. We are enthused by encouraging, motivating and exchanging with persons from different places. We want to serve Schoenstatt. We see it as a great mission.

We want and we desire that Father Kentenich be recognized as a great prophet in the Church. He motivates us to take Christ to others.

We will begin the Conference in the Original Shrine; each country will bring a symbol to the Original Shrine as an expression of wanting to "enrich the foundation" (as Joao Pozzobon said when he took the Original Pilgrim MTA to the Original Shrine). It is an expression of the current of returning. What do you expect from this?

That the Shrine be for the entire world. That this be a great step for the canonization of Father Kentenich. We dream of Daughter Shrines throughout the whole world filled with pilgrims.

In general, what do you expect from the Conference?

That it be an eruption of graces. That we be open to the voice of God, to the voices of the soul. That we all be in agreement so the foundation may be experienced and thus have a great celebration. That this be a great step forward so that Schoenstatt may finally be inserted further into the Church…..that we be able to enthuse others with the fruits of the Covenant.

Those who want to contribute with prayers or contributions to the Treasury of Grace (on February 3^rd/morning, Feb. 5^th & 6^th, sponsors are still needed) can contact the Conference directors via PressOffice@schoenstatt.de

Translation: Carlos Cantú Schoenstatt Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 011509