16 May 2025 · 2025-05 newsletter
Father Kentenich often expressed the wish that the members of Schoenstatt should not only know the history of the movement, but that we appreciate the events that have shaped its culture and its spirituality. In the light of this, below are some events that took place at different times during the month of May.
20th May 1945 – Father Kentenich returns to Schoenstatt after his time in Dachau.
On Pentecost Sunday, 20th May 1945, Father Kentenich returned to Schoenstatt after nearly three and a half years in Dachau concentration camp. Everyone was amazed at how well he appeared after all that he had experienced during his time in the concentration camp.
What had been the secret of Father Kentenich’s daring, stamina and heroic love of neighbour in Dachau? He said that it was the covenant of love with the Mother Thrice Admirable.
Throughout his life he wanted to pass on the experience that “The Blessed Mother placed her motherly heart at my disposal on October 18, 1914. I belong to her. I owe her everything”.
Throughout his life this was his secret, his source of strength.
31st May 1949 – Schoenstatt’s Third Milestone
This day marks the 3rd Milestone in Schoenstatt’s history. On 31st May 1949, Father Kentenich once again accepted his mission through Mary, for Schoenstatt and for the Church.
“In a talk which 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.”
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.
A time of Decision – May 1951
This story was told by Father Alex Menningen (1900-1994) to American pilgrims visiting Schoenstatt, Germany in 1980:
“In May of 1951, Fr. Kentenich came to Rome to [appear] before the Holy Office. By this time the exile was a certainty; the only question was whether Father would leave voluntarily and retain the remote possibility of return or be forced into his exile with no chance of return.
I was the only other member of the Schoenstatt family in Rome at the time. Fr. Kentenich came to my room in Casa Pallotti, sat on the bed, and related how Rome had put the alternatives before him.
He then asked me, ‘What are we going to do? I have never acted without consulting the Schoenstatt family, and you represent this family now.’ Father prayed from Heavenwards and we offered ourselves anew to the Blessed Mother. Father asked heaven, ‘Do you wish to take this child from me?’ He said, ‘We must put Schoenstatt, like Isaac, on the altar.’ I was not at all comforted and expressed the dangers: Schoenstatt could become extinct or crippled and separated. Our conversation continued as I said,
‘How can you agree to this?’
‘Certainly, if God expects it.’
‘But Father I said, if the sisters are dissolved, and our other communities as well, we would not exist. It is not possible for me. If you do it, it is heroic. If I do it, it is heroic talking.’
At this point Father asked me sternly, ‘Alex, do you go along?’ He left and returned with a letter from one of the sisters, and asked again, ‘Alex, do you go along?’ With this he left me to my thoughts for the evening.
“By morning my choice was clear. I would remain with Fr. Kentenich. When I told Father, he said, ‘Alex, we go now together.’
“We spent two days of silence and prayed together. Then, After Mass at the tomb of St. Vincent Pallotti, Fr. Kentenich said to me, ‘I know what I must do. If they were to leave it up to me, I would never go, but if they say I must, I will go into exile.’
With these words Father accepted his exile.”
In this new era of the Church, we too are asked: “Alex, do you go along?” We want to give our “yes” and make our contribution to the stream of life and graces which will bring about this healing and fruitfulness for the Church.
(The 31st of May, The Third Milestone, P.152-153 Fr. Jonathan Niehaus)
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