Schoenstatt Heroes

Born in 1898 in East Prussia, Joseph was an ordinary young man—humble, quiet, and deeply committed to growing in holiness. As one of the founding members of the Schoenstatt Movement, he made a Covenant of Love with Mary and lived it with heroic faithfulness.
He wasn’t naturally gifted or popular. But through self-discipline, prayer, and a deep love for Mary, Joseph transformed his weaknesses into a path toward sanctity. He longed to be Mary’s instrument—“her very own”—and to let his life serve a greater mission.
When World War I broke out, Joseph was drafted into the German army. Even in the trenches, he remained rooted in the Covenant: praying the Rosary, inspiring fellow soldiers, and offering every sacrifice for the fruitfulness of Schoenstatt. Before his death, he is believed to have written a letter to Mary, renewing his total self-offering for the Movement.
On October 4, 1918, at just 20 years old, Joseph was killed by a shell explosion on the battlefield in France. His body was never found. But his life continues to inspire generations of youth and all who seek to live Schoenstatt’s ideal of everyday sanctity.

🕊️ “All things to all men, and Mary’s very own.” - Joseph’s personal ideal

Joseph’s life shows us that sainthood isn’t about perfection —it’s about giving your all, every day, for something greater than yourself.

Mario Hiriart was born in Santiago, Chile on July 23, 1931. He was introduced to Schoenstatt as a teenager by a German Pallotine priest named Fr. Benito Schneider in 1946. It was soon then that the first Schoenstatt Boy’s Youth group was founded. Having gathered 19 men, they adopted the name, ideal and mission: Knights of the Holy Grail.

Mario was present on Oct 18, 1948 when the foundation stone for the Bellavista Shrine was laid by Fr. Kentenich. He also took part in the blessing of the Shrine on May 20, 1949. A few days later, on May 29, he and the members of his group consecrated themselves to the Blessed Mother in the still incomplete Shrine. They could not have known at the time that two days later on May 31, the founder would take decisive step in the Shrine that was to become a turning point in the history of Schoenstatt, known as The 3rd Milestone. The message of that day was later to determine the course of Mario’s life. He entered the Schoenstatt Institute of the Brothers of Mary in 1957.

Brilliant, deeply spiritual, and full of inner strength, Mario lived his mission as a Brother of Mary with heroic faith and helped build the Schoenstatt Youth in Chile. Even while facing terminal illness, he offered his suffering with great love and trust—becoming a “living chalice” in Mary’s hands. Mario died at 33, just like Christ in Milwaukee. He is buried behind the Bellavista Shrine in Santiago, Chile.

In 2020, he was declared Venerable by Pope Francis.

🕊️"Like Mary, Living Chalice, Bearer of Christ to Men.” - Mario’s personal ideal

Let us pray for his canonization, and ask him to intercede for us as we strive to live our own mission with love, purity, and courage.

Barbara Kast was born in a small town in southern Germany on July 24, 1950. Her parents emigrated to Chile in 1951 due to the result of the war. Barbara grew up with 9 siblings.

Shortly before turning 16, Barbara moved schools to the Marian School of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. She stood our as one of the top students in her class and for her helpfulness.

In the beginning of the year 1968, Barbara attended a camp led by the Schoenstatt Movement. The time at the camp led to a deeper encounter with Christ and the Blessed Mother. “..God is absent from the world, and we should battle to bring God to the people..I am most enthusiastic , and at every moment I ask my Mother to enlighten me and give me the strength to fulfill this task.”

Although she was new to Schoenstatt, Barbara cultivated a deep prayer life that led her to discover her personal ideal:

🕊️“Tabernacle of God, Bearing Christ and Schoenstatt to the people.”

By the end of the year, Barbara sealed her Covenant of Love on December 8, 1968. Barbara passed away 3 weeks later in a collision on December 29, 1968

“Mother, you have given me a lot of work to do, work for you. Since I have now discovered that my main task is to serve, I will give up everything that prevents this and I will follow you. This is the only way I can become happy, Mother, as you well know. Thank you Mother for choosing me to be your instrument; I want to meet your expectations.”