WHAT IS SCHOENSTATT?

Schoenstatt is an international Catholic movement of education and spiritual formation. We seek to grow as free, dedicated, and active witnesses of Christ in modern life by uniting our faith with our everyday lives. We look to Mary to educate us in this task and to guide us in becoming better followers of Christ.

The Schoenstatt Movement encompasses diverse communities, which form the Schoenstatt “Family”. As a movement of renewal, it bears a marked apostolic and lay characteristic; with its own pedagogy and spirituality particularly apt for those individuals who live within the world today and who must face an ever-increasing de-Christianized and materialistic environment.

Throughout its blessed and fruitful history the Schoenstatt family has experienced God’s guidance and powerful grace. Individual Schoenstatt members learn to listen and strive to live God’s plan and are attentive to God’s direction in their daily lives.

To understand Schoenstatt, one can consider it as:

A Movement of Renewal

As a movement of renewal in the Catholic Church, Schoenstatt works to help renew the Church and society in the spirit of the Gospel. It seeks to reconnect faith with daily life, especially through a deep love of Mary, the Mother of God. As an international movement it is present on all continents and has members from all vocations and walks in life. It is a spiritual family whose many branches and communities join to form a single Schoenstatt Family.

A Place of Grace

As a place of grace, Schoenstatt has touched the lives of millions. The Schoenstatt Shrine is the movement’s spiritual home and center of life. This shrine is dedicated to Mary as the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt. In addition to the Original Shrine in Germany, there are over 200 replica daughter shrines around the world where people gather for prayer, renewal and inspiration.

A Unique Spirituality within the Church

As a unique spirituality in the Church, Schoenstatt has contributed to the growth in holiness of men and women since 1914. Its characteristic features have proven especially fitting for living the faith in our modern times. As a covenant spirituality it fosters a personal relationship with God, Mary and fellow-man. As an instrument spirituality it makes Christian discipleship more tangible and in tune with God’s will. As an everyday spirituality it seeks ways to form everyday life with practical steps forward in faith, hope and love.