A thousand thanks to every leader, member, benefactor, and friend of the Schoenstatt Movement, who makes the place, the gatherings, the events, and the encounters a beautiful experience.
Women from the Schoenstatt League, in Germany, relate the following anecdote. It shows Father Kentenich’s gratitude upon moving forward to a newer time.
- After his release from Dachau on April 6, 1945, Father Kentenich spent about eight days in Freising, near Munich.Father Kentenich came to the chapel at 5:00 PM. He wore clerical dress. He came to a stop under the archway and looked at our handwork with great joy. He lovingly stroked the symbol of the shrine. Then he began to speak. He said something like this: If one goes on a journey, one has a lot to relate. But we won’t look back on the horrors, our gaze goes forwards into the future. Father Kentenich thanked for the packages some of us had brought with much love to Dachau, and praised this courage… Now, since the world is bleeding from the thousands of wounds, we have to help. We have to be Marys [for the world], to see everything with Mary’s eyes, help to ease suffering with Mary’s hands, and to go Mary’s ways. In their hearts Mary expresses the petition, ‘Lord, they have no more wine.’ Yet we do not only want to ease outward need, we must above all re–awaken the faith and trust in God which has been buried under the debris in people’s hearts. Let us pray much, sacrifice much, love much… (Taken from the book Mosaic Stones.)