19 January 2026 · 2026-01 newsletter
On Saturday 13th December many Schoenstatt movement members, as well as families, friends and staff gathered in the Family Hall at Mount Schoenstatt for the annual Advent and Christmas Carols. With a mix of prayers, songs and roleplay everyone enjoyed a very beautiful and meaningful evening.
The evening began with the lighting of the three candles on the Advent wreath together with an explanation of the rose-coloured candle of joy. To continue this Advent focus, in contrast to many other standard singing of Christmas Carols, at Mount Schoenstatt the evening began with a reflection on the Old Testament provided by two prophets appearing, predicting the birth of Jesus our Lord and Saviour.
A reflection on the scenes of the Annunciation and Visitation was also given to really set the background of the birth of Christ. During the hymn of the Magnificat, proclaimed by Mary when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, it was truly wonderful to see all the children holding battery-operated candles and processing throughout the Family Hall praising with Mary the wonderous deeds the almighty God had done.
Shepherds, Angels and the Three Kings (men from the family branch) were not missing but obviously, the highlight of the play was the nativity scene. This was even more special this year as there was a real live baby Jesus.
The characters acting out Mary, Joseph and Jesus along with a little shepherd boy and angel were a family who sometimes attend Holy Mass at Mt Schoenstatt.
The family was very proud to be asked to assist in the nativity play and even went out to hire their costumes. What was very beautiful and moving was that the little one fell asleep in his mothers’ arms during the final hymn of “Silent Night”.
At the conclusion of the Advent and Christmas Carols Fr Pawel OP gave us all a final blessing and also blessed the food. A light supper was on offer, but everyone had pitched in and brought a plate so it seemed like a real festive Christmas dinner. Many people stayed for some time afterwards as there was such a joyful sense of community present. A very big thanks to everyone who helped out in one way or another.
Sr. M. Rita
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