Fourfold commitment of the Schoenstatt Families:
The Schoenstatt Families
are part of the Schoenstatt Movement.
The members strive to lead an exemplary Christian life, especially through the sacrament of matrimony.
Their task is to educate and form lay apostles for the Church and world with the help of Schoenstatt’s spirituality.
Through love for Mary, serious striving for holiness, an experience of community in their branch and in small groups, and frequent apostolic deeds they are invited to share in the Schoenstatt mission.
Below is the fourfold commitment of the Schoenstatt Families:
Love for Mary:
Together husband and wife seal the covenant of love with the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen, and Victress of Schoenstatt—if possible in the Schoenstatt Shrine. Demonstrating love for Mary includes:
- Consecration to Mary in total childlike trust
- Show our love for her in deeds and actions
- Identify with Mary’s mission of bringing Christ to the world
Striving for Holiness:
The families take seriously the ideal of Catholic marriage, according to the official teaching of the Church which includes:
- the indissolubility of marriage,
- acceptance of children,
- and a life of love and faithfulness to one’s spouse.
Simple experience of community:
At least once a year, the Schoenstatt Family League organizes a common event for deeper spiritual formation. The couples are not obliged to attend regular monthly group gatherings. However, the leaders in the different dioceses offer excellent opportunities to grow into the spirituality of Schoenstatt by sharing the material or program provided.
Upon our founder’s advice, the couples are encouraged to have a weekly “Schoenstatt Hour,” a more spiritual and prayer-like dialogue. Through it, husband and wife focus on applying the Schoenstatt spirituality to their marriage and family life.
The local Schoenstatt centers offer various events for families and couples to grow in Schoenstatt’s spirituality.
Apostolate:
The Schoenstatt Family League has a double apostolate.
- The first and noblest apostolate is their own family. Neither a husband and father nor a wife and mother can be dispensed from their responsibility to each other and to their children. This apostolate stems from their vocation to marriage.
- The second apostolate is to help other people strengthen their faith. Couples are encouraged to be apostolically active at work, their parish and community. They can also get involved as leaders in their branch.
- to wholeheartedly embrace the spiritual education and formation of one’s own children
- to take seriously the witness we give as families
- to help others grow in love for Christ through love for Mary