Welcome to Schoenstatt Australia!
Schoenstatt is an international Marian Movement of renewal. It was founded on 18th October 1914 by Father Joseph Kentenich in a small chapel in Germany which is now known as the Original Shrine. The founding act was a covenant of love between Father Kentenich and the blessed Mother in the Shrine. This Marian consecration forms the starting point, foundation and source of the fruitfulness of Schoenstatt.
The Schoenstatt Movement is open to everyone. It offers people of all walks of life a practical way to live the Gospel by integrating the Schoenstatt spirituality in everyday life. There are various groups, gatherings, reflections days and retreats offered throughout the year to bring specific people together such as women's, girls, men's etc. Gathering likeminded people in the similar life situations creates a community which allows for encouragement to live the Christian life faithfully.
In the 1920's before Schoenstatt even expanded internationally the Movement grew so rapidly that a community - the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary - was founded by Fr Kentenich to care for it. This occurred on October 1st 1926 – 100 years this year! The Schoenstatt Sister of Mary arrived in Australia in 1951 and soon also developed the Schoenstatt Movement here.
There are two replicas of the Original Shrine here in Australia: Mulgoa, Sydney and Mt Richon, Perth with Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary and retreat facilities present at both locations. In Wantirna, there is an image of our Mother Thrice Admirable in the Divine Mercy Chapel at St. Luke’s Parish. Click through the website to find out more or come visit one of the locations or events.
