18 May 2026 · 2026-05 newsletter
Why is it important for us to remember significant events in Schoenstatt’s history? Father Kentenich often expressed the wish that the members of Schoenstatt should not only know the history of the movement but appreciate the events that have shaped its culture and its spirituality. In the light of this, below are some details of what is called, Schoenstatt’s Third Milestone.
The 31st May 1949 marks the 3rd Milestone in Schoenstatt’s history. On this day Father Kentenich once again accepted his mission through Mary, for Schoenstatt and for the Church.
On that day, Father Kentenich was at the newly built shrine at Bellavista, Chile. The shrine was still incomplete. That evening he took and laid on the altar the first part of what has become known as the “Epistola perlonga” (Long letter) and offered it to our Blessed Mother. This is an important historical document as it mirrors Father Kentenich’s inner attitude as he undertook what he called “a death leap” for himself and his work.
In the talk that he gave to the 20 Schoenstatt Sisters present, he stated his awareness of the risks involved, including to Schoenstatt, but that the danger to Church and world left him no choice but to act.
He said:
“Whoever has a mission must fulfil it, even if it leads into the darkest and deepest abyss, even when it requires one death leap after another. A prophet’s mission always includes a prophet’s fate.”
The sending of this letter initiated a chain of events that led to his exile by the Church and nearly led to the dissolving of Schoenstatt. But it also initiated a new life stream in Schoenstatt that took up the commitment to overcome the grave dangers facing the Church in our times, especially mechanistic thinking.
Fr. Kentenich characterized the inner meaning of May 31 as “standing in divine power” or an act of heroic love. In this sense, the third milestone is an important reminder that the entire vigour of heroic faith shown in January 20 is not disconnected from a mission and a responsibility for the Church. That Fr. Kentenich was willing to risk everything for the wellbeing of the Church signals to us that we too should love the Church, even heroically.
His great love for the Church which he demonstrated on 31st May 1949 is a challenge for us to continue his mission and be his witnesses for Schoenstatt and for the Church.
(200 Questions about Schoenstatt, P.136)
We pray that the spirit of the 31st of May will continue to inspire us as a Schoenstatt Family here in Australia so that we too may strive to love the Church as heroically as did Father Kentenich and to faithfully live our Australian Schoenstatt mission:
“ONE HEART IN THE FATHER FOR THE FAMILY OF GOD”
Filed underNewsletter · Reflections