Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary celebrate 100-Year Jubilee
On October 1, 2026, the international Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary community celebrate the first 100 years of existence. A whole century – from the humble beginnings in 1926 to the vibrant present.
To reach 100 years as a Secular Institute means to be witness to countless stories God has written:
with generations of sisters who placed their lives at the service of God and people;
through challenges He entrusted to the community and each individual sister;
in moments of grace that again and again strengthened in the one conviction:
It is God who leads us. In the Holy Spirit, through Mary.
We wish to share this experience with you — it shapes the 100-year celebrations. Let us join together to give thanks for 100 years of God’s history with the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary!
Thanksgiving Novena
For all your gifts, accept our thanks dear Mother!
For the centennial celebration of the foundation of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary and 75 years of the Sisters’ presence in Australia a 9-month novena has been prepared. This novena is in thanksgiving for all the Sisters who have contributed to the mission of Schoenstatt in Australia and the Philippines and for many vocations to the Sisters community internationally.
As a gift of gratitude for all that the Sisters have given and suffered during these long years of service in the hands of our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt, we want to pray for vocations to the Institute so that the great work they have accomplished in these 75 years in Australia will continue to bear fruit for the Schoenstatt Work and the Church in Australia, the Philippines and beyond.
We also remember with thanks the work that our Sisters have done and continue to do and pray for them.
Each month a particular characteristic of the Sisters will be highlighted for prayer and reflection. In addition, for those who wish to learn a little of the history of the Sisters and their work with the Movement in Australia and the Philippines a short historical glimpse at the end of each month’s prayer is intended to provide some knowledge of the history.
Each month the text of the novena will be available here and you are invited to pray it in whichever form you choose and as often as you wish during the month.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last (John 15:16)
Portrait Series “Faces of Hope”
In the jubilee year, we are launching a special series: every month on the 1st, a mini-documentary about one of our sisters will be released.
Through their personal stories and diverse fields of work and apostolate, it becomes visible how the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary live out their mission today.
Whether in direct service to the Schoenstatt Movement, in pastoral ministry, in social or academic fields — each story is unique, and yet they all have one thing in common: like Mary, they want to make the message of God’s love tangible.
We hope you enjoy the faces, places, and experiences that bring a piece of our worldwide mission to life! Be sure to turn on the subtitles as not all videos are in English. Here are just a few videos but visit our YouTube channel to view all videos in this series.
Sr. M. Rafaela | ARGENTINA
“We try to be Mary in the world of healthcare — with her hands, her eyes, and her heart.”
Sister M. Rafaela of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary gives insight into her service at Mater Dei Hospital in Buenos Aires. With great dedication, she accompanies people in illness and suffering and understands her work as a vocation and service rooted in faith.
This video shows her journey, her motivation, and her daily “Here I am” in service to others.
Sr. María Luisa | CHILE
Sister María Luisa is the sacristan of the Cenacle Shrine of Bellavista in La Florida, Santiago de Chile. In this video, she shares her testimony: as an Adoration Sister, she opens the shrine each day as a sign of her self-surrender to Jesus in the Eucharist and of her love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this way, through prayer, attentive listening, and her presence, she accompanies those who come seeking consolation, peace, and strength.
Through her daily service, God works in people’s lives—in suffering, illness, and grief, but also in joy and love. This testimony reminds us that God is alive, that he acts today, and that he brings forth the best in each person. It is a message that renews faith and hope.
Sr. María José | USA
Sr. María José Sousa opens the series of Portrait videos about Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary from around the globe, “Faces of Hope”. Sr. María José has been a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary since 2014. She and lives in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. She runs the Magnificat Household, an intentional Christian Community for young women. In this short video, she shares with us the joys and challenges of her everyday life.
