You know the way for me
You know the time
Into your hands
I trustingly place mine 
Your plan is perfect 
Born of perfect love
You know the way for me
 That is enough 

March 2020
 
           I listened to Julia Monnin’s “Elevator Talk” podcast a month or so ago and the question still rings through my mind: What is Schoenstatt? Well, for my state in life right now, I think I found an answer. I know this answer is mine and mine alone, yet I ask you to consider it, listen to it, and then figure out what Schoenstatt is for you.
            Schoenstatt is a people; a people that loves all, accepts all, and calls to all. In it you will hear about various shrines and symbols, promises and demands. You will become clay to be molded, iron to be forged, and gold to be fashioned. Schoenstatt will take you as deep as you strive to go and will lead you to the obedience of Father Kentenich, the heart of Mary, and the foot of the Cross of our crucified Lord.
            I see Fr. Kentenich in Dachau using his hand as an altar and recognizing the gift he has been given. In that moment, perhaps Fr. Kentenich understood that our symbols in Schoenstatt create THE Shrine; not a Daughter Shrine, not a Home Shrine, not a Heart Shrine, but THE Shrine, The Living Shrine, as intended by the Lord. Fr. Kentenich saw the many parts, all as one body. The parts did not work against each other, they worked together for the church, for Mary, for Jesus, for the salvation of souls, and for the Kingdom of God.
 
 Lord,
As I sit in my humble nothingness, I surrender my will to Yours. I give You all that I am and all that I have. You can take my Daughter Shrine, my Home Shrine, and even my Heart Shrine because they are not mine, they are Yours. If I might be so bold as to ask You one request for which I would be eternally grateful, please, leave me my supper table. You see Lord, it contains in it all the soil and fertilizer needed for seeds to grow. It is from that table that You correct our faults, You water the seeds, and the true Shrine, The Living Shrine of Your Schoenstatt people grows. Thank you, Lord, for hearing my plea, but as always, I will proclaim: Fiat Voluntas Tua!



Submitted by an anonymous Schoenstatt  member