By Mary Kroner
CRETE (SNR) – The Schoenstatt Sisters’ Cor Mariae Shrine in Crete is open for the public to attend Masses.
The Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary is a community of consecrated women founded in Germany in 1926 by Father Joseph Kentenich.
They serve the mission of his original foundation, the Schoenstatt Movement, a Marian and apostolic movement in the Roman Catholic Church. They place special emphasis on the Marian formation of girls, women, and families. Their source of life is the covenant of love with our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen, and Victress of Schoenstatt. United with her and following her example, they surrender themselves undividedly to Christ in a life of poverty, virginity, and obedience.
The Sisters began working in the Diocese of Lincoln in February 1993, and several hundred people currently belong to the Schoenstatt Movement in the Lincoln Diocese.
Sister Marie Day, a sister who works in Nebraska, explained, “Our main apostolate is to help in the moral and religious renewal of our world. With our spirituality based in Catholic teaching, we wish to assist each individual and family to reach the heights of greatest holiness through everyday sanctity.”
Currently in the Diocese of Lincoln, there are 15 Schoenstatt groups for youth, mothers, and couples that each meet once a month for discussions about daily holiness. They end their meetings with a resolution to help them practice what was discussed so that it becomes a way of life for them.
Although the Sisters and the members of the Schoenstatt movement could not meet in person for an extended time due the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sisters sent out a monthly inspirational letter to keep members united and striving for holiness.
The pandemic also prevented the Sisters from welcoming guests at the Shrine for Masses. However, now that the Shrine is open again for public Masses, all are welcome to attend on the first Saturday of every month at 9 a.m., and on the third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m.
Sister Marie Day encourages all to visit the Cor Mariae Shrine at 340 Highway 103, and their Center. She said if anyone has questions or would like to say hello to the Sisters during their visit, they can ring the doorbell of the house, and the Sisters will happily speak with them.
Anyone who comes to the Shrine is welcome to take the informational literature in the back which explains the Shrine itself and the Schoenstatt movement.
“Schoenstatt is a movement for all ages and all walks of life,” Sister Marie Day said.
For anyone interested in learning more about the Schoenstatt movement, they may contact the Sisters in Crete by phone at (402) 826-3346 or contact Sister Marie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
