October, the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, invites us to contemplate the life of Jesus and of Mary. The joyful mysteries draw our attention to the incarnation of the divine Word, the luminous mysteries direct our gaze to the public ministry of Jesus, through which he reveals to us the mystery of his person and mission; the sorrowful mysteries summons us to accompany our Lord on the way to his crucifixion, and in the glorious mysterious ponder the Easter event and the completion of human life in eternal communion with God. By immersing ourselves in the life of the Savior and his Mother, we also immerse ourselves in the central events of the faith and thus in the mystery of redemption.
By contemplating the different movements of the life of Jesus and his mother, we catch a glimpse of their personalities. Our faith becomes personal. In this way, the rosary becomes an encounter with God and His providing care for us his children. In turn, the contemplation of each of the mysteries reveals the mystery of our very own, personal life and path of salvation.
How can people of this modern day and age come to a personal encounter with the loving, merciful God? This question moved Father Kentenich when he together with the seminarians founded Schoenstatt on October 18, 1914, 108 years ago!
For the Schoenstatt Family around the world, October is our founding month, reminding us of our roots! On October 18, 1914, nobody could have imagined that a net of shrines would develop from this inconspicuous little chapel in Schoenstatt, Germany. In all our shrines – also in our home and heart shrines – heaven touches earth and we receive the pilgrimage graces of home, inner transformation, and apostolic fruitfulness. The shrine allows us to breathe in a supernatural, sacred atmosphere that permits us to live in heaven, so to speak. The covenant of love is the magic wand so to speak, the source of our founder’s and our confidence, joy, and victory! For this tremendous gift we thank on October 18 and whenever the local Schoenstatt Family gathers to celebrate.
Please join us on October 23 at the Confidentia Shrine for the celebration of Schoenstatt’s founding. We also invite you to join us in praying the novena leading up to October 18, found at: https://schoenstatt-lamar.us/blog/
With prayers for many covenant blessings,
Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary