By Abigail Olson
for the Register
The Schoenstatt community gathered Oct. 18 at the Cor Mariae Schoenstatt Shrine in Crete, to celebrate the founding of the Schoenstatt movement as they do every year. This year, they also celebrated the 100th year of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary.
The Oct. 18 celebration started with Mass in the Father Kentenich Hall, celebrated by Father Robert Barnhill and Father Maurice Current.
After Mass, the Schoenstatt Sister who serves Crete’s Schoenstatt family, Sister Marie Day, gave a short talk. She introduced the year’s motto, “Onward United with Father.” It comes with an image of a sailboat.
Sister Marie talked about how the Church needs members to always be moving onward and not stuck in the past or standing still out of fear. However, people cannot move the “sailboat” with their own strength. Instead, with the Holy Spirit as the wind in the sails, “we can trust Him to move where He wants us to go.”
She challenged the crowd to think about how God is calling each person to live and serve the Church in the here and now. She also elaborated on the word “United” in the motto and, continuing with the boat analogy, saying people need to be united as one family: “one boat, one family, one destination.” Everyone shares their unique gifts and talents and progress depends on working together.
Sister Marie explained how the yearly motto guides the community’s study and activities throughout the year. It is the same for all of the Schoenstatt families in the United States. The motto is created after the leaders of the movement send out questionnaires to the communities in the U.S. They then examine the ideas and interests to find where they believe God is leading them. Each local group can personalize the motto for its unique situation. Nebraska did so by adding “Cor Mariae” onto the boat, and the symbol of the Holy Spirit on the logo that accompanies the motto.
The Schoenstatt Movement USA sent out the following to the Schoenstatt families to share the new theme:
“For the past two years, we have journeyed together “Anchored in the Covenant.” That anchor has reminded us where we belong, where our strength comes from, and what keeps us secure as a Schoenstatt Family.
“Now, after listening to the voices of our leaders across the country, it is time to raise the anchor and set sail toward new horizons.
“And so, together, we move forward under our new umbrella statement: ONWARD UNITED WITH FATHER.
“As we set sail, we do not leave our anchor behind. We carry it with us. The Covenant of Love remains our foundation and our security—an anchor we can always rely on as we venture forward, united in our mission and open to where Divine Providence is leading us.”
After Sister Marie’s talk, the group proceeded into the Shrine for the Covenant Renewal Ceremony where they prayed, sang hymns and committed themselves to the Trinity, the Blessed Mother, Father Kentenich, and their fellow Schoenstatt family.
Afterward in the Father Kentenich Hall, the community gave a special dedication to the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary and thanked Sister Marie for all she has given to the Nebraska Schoenstatt family since she came in 1994. She was presented with a sash that read “Awesome since 1926” (the year the sisters’ order was founded by Father Kentenich) and a cake that said “Celebrating 100 years.” The group sang “Happy Jubilee” in the tune of “Happy Birthday” and then the food was blessed before a meal outdoors.
In an interview, member Ruth O’Gara explained Schoenstatt’s background.
The founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, was working with a young group of seminarians in a Pallottine seminary in Schoenstatt, Germany. Under his guidance, the boys decided they wanted to create a covenant with the Blessed Mother to strive for holiness. So on Oct. 18, 1914, Father Kentenich presented the seminarians a program for them to grow in holiness and to become instruments in the Blessed Mother’s hands and to make their little chapel a pilgrimage spot. They asked Mother Mary to become covenant partners with her and for their chapel, the first Schoenstatt Shrine to become “a cradle of sanctity” for all who would give their hearts to Mary.
There are now more than 200 exact-replica “daughter” shrines in more than 35 countries around the world.
Jubilee Year indulgence
The Schoenstatt Shrine at 340 State Hwy 103, Crete, is open daily from dawn to dusk. To reserve a time for a group to use the shrine, the Father Kentenich Hall, or receive a tour, call 402.826.3346 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Holy Father has granted a jubilee indulgence to all who visit a Schoenstatt shrine of the community until Nov. 4, 2026. To obtain the indulgence the usual conditions must be fulfilled: sacramental confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father (Editor's Note: Read more about indulgences here). For more information, visit schoenstatt-nebraska.com.
SNR photos | Natalie Bender
