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From 6 to 19 August 2026, a new edition of the Pastoral Course for Fathers from India and Africa working with the Movement took place. This time, the course took place in two locations: Kuttur (Kerala) and Madurai (Tamil Nadu). Following the courses held in Schoenstatt (Vaterhaus, in December 2024) and Burundi (Bujumbura, in November 2025), the joint journey thus continued to India.
This year, the central theme was the pastoral care of married couples and families as practised in Schoenstatt. We were blessed with the generous presence and facilitation of three couples who are long-standing members of the Schoenstatt Family Work, having travelled from Spain, Chile and Costa Rica. On the first weekend (7–9 August), the participants gathered in Kuttur, joined by families from Kerala and Bangalore. On the second weekend (14–16 August), they met in Madurai with families from Tamil Nadu and also from Bangalore.
The exchange of experiences, particularly between Indian and international couples, was very enriching. Together, they explored topics such as marriage holiness, marital dialogue, the “Marital Way”, the Schoenstatt Life Group, the League’s programme, and family pastoral care in India. The tenth anniversary of Amoris Laetitia provided an opportunity to reflect once again on the challenges of family pastoral care.
The families, the Schoenstatt Fathers and the Sisters of Mary took part together in the weekend events. In this way, the diversity of vocations and Schoenstatt’s common pastoral mission were made visible. On the other days of the course, the participants carried out an evaluation of the previous year’s goals and set goals for the coming year.
Some days were devoted to work with the Schoenstatt Youth (key challenges, resources, international updates, etc.) and with the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign, where they were able to engage in particular with the “Consensus Document” drawn up at the congress held in Santa Maria, Brazil, in 2025.
A special moment took place in Madurai: for the first time, on 15 August, twelve couples sealed the Covenant of Love in that city. And at the Shrine of Kuttur, on 18 August, a group of fourteen people from Udayamperoor – including three married couples – sealed their Covenant of Love.
Our sincere thanks to the Schoenstatt Fathers in India, who organised this part of the course with great personal dedication and hospitality! The programme included encounters with local traditions and the local Church, particularly through a pilgrimage to Velankanny, the principal Marian shrine in South Asia.From Schoenstatt to India via Burundi and Nigeria: different cultures, diverse vocations and experiences, and a shared mission!
