Schoenstatt Movement
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The Schoenstatt Movement (German Schönstatt-Bewegung) is a Marian devotion founded in Germany in 1914 by Father Joseph Kentenich. Fr. Kentenich saw the movement as being a means of spiritual renewal in the Catholic Church.[1] The movement is not named after the German words for "beautiful place" (even though this is the literal meaning of schoenstatt), but after a small village close to the town of Vallendar near Koblenz in Germany. Schoenstatt emphasizes a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, upholding her as a perfect example of love and purity. Schoenstatt seeks to invite the Blessed Mother (and, hence, her divine Son, Jesus Christ), into the home by establishing a spiritual Covenant of Love with her. It encourages its members to have the faith and purity of children, and to think of Mary as their mother.
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[edit] Quotes
Schoenstatt "wishes to be understood as a universal vision, comprising time and eternity, this world and the next, the economic, social, ethical, political and religious needs of all people, including the dispossessed, the millions of masses… It wants to help redeem the world not only from its earthly sufferings, but also from sin and from its alienation from God. It tries to do this under the guidance and in the school of Our Lady by applying the original principles of Christianity in a new way to restore the disturbed relationship between the individual person and society, the person and business, the person and technology, and the person and social advancement." ― Father Joseph Kentenich[1]
"Hail Mary, for the sake of your purity, keep me pure in body and soul. Implore for me deep self knowledge and the grace to persevere and remain faithful until death. Give me souls, and keep all else for yourself.
Amen"
[edit] Today
The Schoenstatt Movement is today present in many countries besides Germany, especially in South America and India. Many groups have been formed within the movement where people can join anything from loose groups with sparse meetings to religious orders. Counting everyone that belongs to any group of the Schoenstatt Movement, there are today more than one million people involved[citation needed]. Schoenstatt places a great emphasis on the family, and youth especially are an important part of the movement. There are hundreds of Schoenstatt youth groups throughout the world.
[edit] Focus
Central issues are the ideas based on that which Josef Kentenich founded the movement in 1914, including Christian personality development, orientation after ideals, and community.
A central point in the movement dynamics and faith is the devotion to the Shrine, based on the first shrine in Schoenstatt where the movement started with a special devotion to Mary and of which there are dozens of replicas around the world.
[edit] Apostolic Actions
The movement is involved in several apostolic actions, including missionary work, charity, education and other projects.
[edit] Youth Festival
In the summer of 2005 about four thousand young people from all around the world; Germany, Poland, England, Italy, Argentine, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Africa, United States, etc. gathered for almost a week around the Original Shrine in Schönstatt, Vallendar for the Schönstatt Youth Festival prior to the WJT in Cologne. This event ignited the youth around the world, bringing renewal and energy to continue in the mission set by the Blessed Mother to each and every one there.
[edit] Schoenstatt Summer
After the succes of the Youth Festival the prior year, it became obvious that there should be something to bring together each year the youth of the world, around the Original Shrine. During the Summer of 2006 Volunteers from Germany, Mexico, United States, Poland, Puerto Rico, Chile, Argentina, Portugal and Kenia, worked together to create a month long program for young pilgrims from all over the world. This being the first of many Schoenstatt Summer's. The Night of the Shrine was the conclusion of this month long program. At midnight on the 27th of August over 400 people gathered for Holy Mass around the Original Shirne. Together with them, the youth of the world in more than 90 Shrines spread around the 5 continents, celebrated at the same moment, the exact same Holy Mass. Each Shrine celebrating also in there own special way according to the traditions of each country. This becoming the first World Youth Mass.
[edit] References
- ^ a b About Schoenstatt.
