MADISON — On Sunday, Aug. 24, there will be a Covenant Sunday celebration in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Schoenstatt Movement.
It will take place at Schoenstatt Heights, located at 5901 Cottage Grove Rd. on Madison’s east side.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino will preside at the celebration.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. with Confession, followed by Mass at 9:30, renewal of the covenant in the Founder Shrine, and a breakfast with talk and discussion.
The public is welcome to attend.
History of the shrine
The Founder Shrine in Madison was dedicated on June 20, 1953.
It was the first Schoenstatt shrine to be built in the United States.
At the cornerstone laying on October 18, 1952, Bishop William O’Connor of Madison expressed his hope and conviction that the shrine would become a “spiritual powerhouse,” not only for the Diocese of Madison but for all the states in the U.S.
According to the Schoenstatt Madison website, Bishop O’Connor’s words “confirmed the insight of Fr. Joseph Kentenich, Schoenstatt’s founder. He believed that the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt would be effective from the Founder Shrine as the leader and educator of the American people.”
Born in Germany in 1885 where he later started the movement in 1914, Father Kentenich lived in Wisconsin from 1952 until 1963.
He became well-acquainted with the American character through his pastoral work and personal counseling.
There are four “daughter shrines” in Wisconsin in Madison, Waukesha, and two in Milwaukee.
Jubilee year celebration
In addition to the Covenant Sunday celebration on August 24, there will be a celebration on October 18, uniting with the international celebration at the original shrine in Germany.
Plans are still in the works for the event in Madison, but there will be Eucharistic Adoration in the Founder Shrine.
The whole International Schoenstatt Family is invited to connect via EWTN on air or online with the main renewal of the covenant of love at 10 a.m. on the 18th. This is the time in Schoenstatt, Germany, that Father Kentenich and students in Schoenstatt met in the original shrine for the first time.
A larger event in Wisconsin will be held at the Waukesha site on October 9 to 12.
Special indulgence
In honor of the 100th jubilee from now until October, Pope Francis is granting a special indulgence for all those who will visit a Schoenstatt shrine worldwide.
This gives a chance for everyone to spark a deeper attachment to a local shrine, including the ones in Madison, Waukesha, and Milwaukee.
Founding graces flow richly from the shrines for all those coming with deep faith and returning with much stronger mission awareness.
Upcoming events
Other upcoming events at Schoenstatt Heights in Madison are as follows:
Saturday, Sept. 6, Morning with Mary: 7 a.m. Confession, 7:30 a.m. Holy Mass followed by Rosary, brunch, and reflection, end at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, Sept. 28, Covenant Sunday: 9 a.m. Confession, 9:30 a.m. Holy Mass followed by renewal of the covenant, brunch, and reflection. Ends at 12:30 p.m.
October Rosary every Monday and Thursday: 7 p.m. in the Founder Shrine.
Saturday, Oct. 4: Morning with Mary: 7 a.m. Confession, 7:30 a.m. Holy Mass followed by Rosary, brunch, and reflection. Ends at 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25, Fall Work Day: Help clean up around Schoenstatt Heights, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information on the Schoenstatt Movement in Madison, go to schoenstatt-wisconsin.us/madison