The fountain next to the shrine not only provides a nice place to sit, but also reminds us of the majestic Church of the Blessed Trinity (or “Adoration Church”) in Schoenstatt’s place of origin in Vallendar, Germany, near the Original Shrine. It’s design makes one think of a “Castle of God.”
Words by Schoenstatt's founder on the occasion of the consecration of the Adoration Church, Trinity Sunday, June 9, 1968.
For the complete text, click here.
“My message will be short … I would like to express very briefly my wish for you. It is this: A deeper understanding of the significance of today’s solemn act for the entire Schoenstatt Family. The large numbers who have come here today show that you are already aware of this in its essentials. Yet, if you would like to dig somewhat deeper, it will be helpful to hear of the preparations for and consequences of this solemn act.
The preparations include the whole of the early history of our Adoration Church. It was
planned a long time ago. In general we could trace its origins as far back as 18th
October, 1939, at the outbreak of World War II. At that time we wanted to offer Our Lady a memorial in thanksgiving. We asked her to lead us victoriously through the approaching world war in the same way as she had protected the Schoenstatt Family during World War I. A number of possibilities were suggested. On New Year’s Day, 1940 the decision was finally made: our Sisters of Mary would build our Adoration Church as a monument in gratitude for Our Lady’s assistance. Once Schoenstatt had triumphantly survived the war, the Sisters of Mary officially and solemnly took on this task in 1945.
It should not surprise us that they found it a heavy burden. It took exactly thirty years to carry out. Today the building is completed. (…) Here, too, we notice an admirable
intuition, an unshakable confidence in the reality of the covenant of love with the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen an Victress of Schoenstatt. The motto, which became the favorite saying of the whole family, is: Mater perfectam habebit curam et victoriam! (The Mother will care perfectly and be victorious!)” – J. Kentenich