On May 10, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated the decree of heroic virtues of Sr. Emilie Engel, a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary from Germany.
There are two key moments in the process of beatification: the arrival at the moral certainty by the Church regarding the sanctity of a person, and “the divine confirmation” of the verdict proven by a miracle through the intercession of the Venerable.
The process of Emilie Engel has reached the first step: The signing of the decree of heroic virtues expresses the judgment of the Church regarding the holiness of her life. This is an event that fills the community of the Sisters of Mary and the entire Schoenstatt Family with pride and joy.
Prayer for the
intercession of Venerable
Sr. Emilie Engel
God, Heavenly Father, under the protection of Mary, our Mother Thrice Admirable and Queen, you allowed Sister M. Emilie to mature into a shining example of one who practiced faith in Divine Providence with childlikeness and selfless motherliness. We ask you, O Father, to hear our petitions through her intercession. During her life she wanted to be nothing other than a loving sacrifice of your unending mercy. May she now implore for us the grace that you will bestow your overflowing kindness on us and help us in our time of need. May you soon raise Sister Emilie to the honors of the altar for the glorification of your unending fatherly love and to the praise of Mary, our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt.
Amen.
One of founders
Emilie Engel was one of the founding Sisters of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. In 1926 she left her position as a teacher to become the formation director of the new community and one of its pillars.
Sister Emilie loved everyone, but her heart went out in a special way to the poor. Not only did she care for their instruction but she also nursed the sick, found employment for the students when they left school, and even placed orphans with good families.
She went about her work with courage and determination. For many years she suffered under tuberculosis and then from the stigma of the disease, which at the time was not understood.
The founder of her community, Fr. Joseph Kentenich, appointed her to the general government and gave her the responsibility to care for the other sick Sisters. He knew she would understand their needs on all levels.
Even when she was confined to a wheelchair and was gradually becoming paralyzed, eventually losing her ability to speak, the founder entrusted leadership positions to her.
Her heart was transformed
Although Sister Emilie suffered from anxiety and scrupulosity as a child and young woman, her consecration to the Blessed Mother in the Schoenstatt Covenant of Love and a deep trust in Father Kentenich as her spiritual director allowed God to transform her heart into one that was joyful, free, and able to help others find peace.
Sister Emilie proclaimed the teaching of practical faith in Divine Providence, namely that God is a loving Father, who in his wisdom, kindness, and omnipotence designed not only the great world plan, but also that of our own little life.
She was aware that this plan is also in Mary’s motherly hands. Her example inspires us to open spaces in our lives for the wonderful work of God from the most genuine sources of our spirituality. She is willing to help us direct our lives to what is essential, to put it in God’s hands.
You are invited to ask Sister Emilie to intercede for you. Please contact the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary if your life has been touched by Sister Emilie. In the Archdiocese of New York you can reach them at the Schoenstatt Marian Shrine, 337 Cary Ave., Staten Island, NY 10310, 718-727-8005 or shrineNY@schsrs mary.org
Sr. M. Marcia Vinje is a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary serving in Staten Island, N.Y.