30 September 2025 · 2025-09 newsletter
On the 13th of September 2025, we celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the day on which Father Kentenich received a telegram that led him to travel to Rome.
Why is this date so important in the history of Schoenstatt? Because on this day in 1965, a “mysterious telegram” came for Father Kentenich which opened the way for him to eventually be reinstated and all the measures and decrees against him be declared null and void. This led to Father Kentenich eventually returning to Schoenstatt on Christmas Eve 1965, Schoenstatt’s second “Miracle of the Holy Night”.
On the afternoon of Monday, September 13, Fr. Kentenich received a phone call saying there was a telegram for him. Normally if a telegram arrived in German, the Americans had a hard time passing it on in German – they spelt it out. So, he jokingly said it would be lovely if you can spell it out. The operator responded and said that the telegram was in English. The telegram read: “In the name of Father General, immediately come to Rome.” The telegram was clear and was signed: Burggraf, the secretary of the General Superior.
As the telegram had been sent via phone, Father Kentenich asked the telephone operator to send it to him in printed form. She checked his address and agreed to do so. However, it is interesting to note that this message was never received by Father Kentenich.
As the telegram said, “Immediately come to Rome”, Fr. Kentenich right away began to make plans to travel to Rome and was able to book a flight scheduled to arrive in Rome on the morning of Friday, September 17. While this news was something that the Schoenstatt Family in Milwaukee had been praying for (the return of Father to Schoenstatt), it was also a time that was filled with great sadness for them as most believed that they would never see Father again.
Much to his surprise, when Father arrived at the Pallottine generalate in Rome everyone was completely surprised as no one had any knowledge of a telegram that was supposed to have been sent to him. Even though he made a declaration on oath that he had received such a telegram by phone, as was customary in the U.S.A., his unexpected appearance in Rome aroused the suspicion that Father Kentenich had gotten tired of his exile and departed without authorisation.
Father Kentenich was eventually allowed to take up residence at the generalate of the Steyler Fathers in Rome. But then another page turned. On that “Black Friday,” September 24th, all hopes were dashed once more. It was communicated that the Holy Office intended to send the almost eighty-year-old priest back to his place of exile for the time being and thus to restore the situation as it was before the “mysterious telegram.” However, after much politicising, negotiating and prayers, it was finally decided that Father Kentenich did not have to return to his place of exile. Moreover, the Kentenich case was handed over to the Congregation for Religious.
With that, all the measures and decrees against him were declared null and void. Two days later, on October 22, Pope Paul VI officially confirmed the decision of the Holy Office, making it legally valid. (Adapted from an article in “Kentenich Reader,” Vol.1)
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