Europe in our hearts: Meeting of the Movement’s responsible Fathers in Vienna

From 24 to 28 November 2025, the Schoenstatt Centre on Kahlenberg in Vienna was transformed into a place of lively exchange and European encounter. Schoenstatt Fathers responsible for the Movement from Germany, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Switzerland, England, Croatia, Italy, Portugal and Spain brought with them the diversity and concerns of their countries.
A deep, personal exchange about the joys and challenges of each one created the basis for the work of the following days. Together we looked at the Original Shrine and the significance of the pilgrimage to Schoenstatt, deepened the impulses of the campaign ‘We are all Schoenstatt’ and discussed the regional currents that shape our work on site.
Fr Felix Geyer, who presented his programme of ‘Faith Statements’, and Fr Hans-Martin Samietz and Fr Peter Göttke, from the Schoenstatt Institute of Diocesan Priests, who reported on the forward-looking formation of moderators for the Boys’ Youth, provided particularly interesting content.
Special highlights of these days were the Holy Mass in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and the meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Sickinger, the movement directors in Austria.
We look ahead with renewed strength: exchange across borders is not merely administration, but a joint rekindling of the covenant of love for a Christian Europe. With fresh inspiration and a deepened sense of brotherhood, we return to our tasks.
Fr. Arkadiusz Sosna