100 Places for 100 Years – Anniversary Campaign of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary has Begun!
First expansion at Record Speed
It usually takes some time before a newly founded religious community—still without constitutions and a completely new development in Church history—becomes sufficiently established to expand outward. Or does it? So how long did it take from the founding of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary on October 1, 1926, to the establishment of their first branch (affiliate) in the Ruhr area? An incredible 14 days! A record pace… On October 15, 1926, the first community house of the Sisters of Mary outside Schoenstatt was founded in Duisburg-Hochfeld—followed by countless others over the course of nearly 100 years.
Shared Experiences and Fates
From the very beginning, the various places of mission have been an essential part of the community’s 100-year history. Places where the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary worked fruitfully and brought blessings; places that, in turn, enriched the stream of blessings in the community’s history—through encounters with the people who lived there, through shared experiences, and through shared joys and hardships. Often the final farewell was painful for both sides. And just as often, something remained behind: an image of the MTA in a church or home, a wayside shrine of the Mother of Schoenstatt, small Schoenstatt religious traditions cultivated together, grateful memories…
The Stream of History and Life Meets the Stream of Blessing: The Campaign “100 Places for 100 Years”
The anniversary campaign “100 Places for 100 Years” takes up this powerful stream of history and life and seeks to connect it with the stream of blessings of the jubilee year. In 2026, as many of these former mission locations as possible are to be visited by a small group of Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in order to renew contact with the people there.
“We would like to give thanks for the open doors and hearts that have accompanied and supported the ministry of our Sisters over these 100 years,” says the campaign team from the Sisters’ community. And: “In our jubilee year, through us, the Blessed Mother is to go once more to the people in those places where our Sisters have lived and worked—in cities and parishes, schools and kindergartens, hospitals, and so on.”
Launch in Father Kentenich’s Home Diocese
The campaign has begun—on February 10, 2026, the memorial day marking the opening of the beatification process for Father Kentenich (February 10, 1975), and in his home diocese of Cologne. At the Cologne Shrine (which, when built, was not permitted to bear the typical shrine roof), there was a simple gathering and prayer to the Blessed Mother, entrusting the campaign to her and offering the first expression of gratitude.
Roses for the Blessed Mother
The five Sisters of Mary who were present there, prayed in the shrine:
“Dear Blessed Mother, with our visit here we unite our thanks that Sisters of Mary were able—and are still able—to serve in this diocese. In the 100 years of our history, Sisters of Mary worked here in Cologne for several decades. We thank you for all the blessings you have given to them and through them, and we thank you for all cooperation with the Schoenstatt Family. Thank you for continually calling and finding instruments to help you work from here. As a sign of our gratitude, please accept these flowers.”
A beautiful bouquet of roses sealed both the gratitude and the launch of the campaign.
A Very Special Afternoon
Some Schoenstatt members from the surrounding area were invited to the spontaneous time of prayer in the shrine, followed by fellowship—and as a surprise, they brought cake and coffee. After the prayer time, they shared coffee, conversation, and joy together. “Yes, it was a very special afternoon,” one participant later confirmed.
A Campaign of Hope
To give hope—that is the true aim of the anniversary campaign. Because the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary are sustained by a great hope, a hope that has a name: Mary! The campaign team expresses it this way: “Mary is the light of our hope. We want to carry this light forward and give hope to the people in our country.”
A campaign of hope, indeed.
Contact address for information, questions, or concerns regarding the anniversary campaign “100 Places for 100 Years”: hundert.orte@s-ms.org