October 2–3, 2026
Centenary Celebration – 100 Years of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in Vallendar/Schoenstatt
On October 1, 2026, it will be 100 years since the founding of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. To mark this occasion, members of the community from Germany and abroad will gather at the place where the Institute was founded, in Vallendar/Schoenstatt.
On October 2 and 3, 2026, the community will celebrate its centenary together with the entire Schoenstatt Movement, friends and acquaintances, as well as representatives from the Church and society.
Everyone is warmly invited to all events!
Programme
Friday, October 2, 2026
Centenary Academy “Mary – The Future Has a Face”
The centenary celebrations will begin on Friday at 3:00 p.m. with a Centenary Academy in the auditorium of the Adoration Church on Mount Schoenstatt.
The keynote address will be given by Cardinal Kurt Koch of Rome, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. He will speak on the topic “Beauty That Saves: The Transformative Power of Mary for the Church of Today and Tomorrow.”
Artist María Jesús Fernández Ortiz will present the column of light she created for the Adoration Church and explain its artistic concept. Film impressions and musical contributions by the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary will round out the program.
Celebration of Light
The evening will be dedicated entirely to praise and worship. Through songs and lights, Mary will be honored as the “Light of Our Hope.”
Due to the high number of registrations, the Celebration of Light will be offered twice, at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Grand Centenary Celebration
The highlight of the celebrations will be Saturday, October 3, 2026.
The Festive Mass at 9:30 a.m. in the Pilgrimage Church in Vallendar/Schoenstatt will be concelebrated by Cardinal Kurt Koch, together with bishops from Germany, France, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
During the ceremony that follows, the Sisters of Mary will offer insights into their eventful history, as well as their life and work around the world.
Greetings will be given by Achim Schwickert, State Minister for the Interior, Integration and Transport of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate; Father Zenon Hanas, SAC, Rector General of the Pallottines, from Rome; and Father Alexandre Awi Mello, ISch, Chairman of the General Presidium of the International Schoenstatt Movement.
Festival of Encounter on Mount Schoenstatt
Following the full morning program, all guests are warmly invited to lunch and coffee at the community’s houses.
The Festival of Encounter in the afternoon will offer a varied program featuring panels on the Sisters’ international projects, meetings with women who witnessed the community’s history firsthand, live music from around the world, and a creative and games program for children and families, among many other activities.
A Prayer for Blessing at 5:30 p.m. in the Church of Adoration will conclude the celebration.
Broadcast
The Centenary Academy, Festive Mass, and official ceremony will be broadcast by schoenstatt.tv:
Registration
We look forward to everyone who would like to celebrate this great centenary with us! To help with organization, registration is requested.
Register now at: www.s-ms.org – 100th Anniversary
Detailed program available here
And for the the afternoon of October 3, here