Silver Jubilee of Work of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in Belarus, 1990-2015

Abstract

The International Schoenstatt Movement is the idea of Fr. Joseph Kentenich, who wanted to spread it in Eastern Europe. He often spoke of Russia, bearing in mind the then Soviet Union territory (1922-1991).

In 1976, sisters of the Polish Province of the Schoenstatt Institute of the Sisters of Mary created the Missionary Circle, whose members prayed for the mission and then undertook to organize their trips and work beyond the Polish Eastern border. On May 29, 1990, the first sisters departed from the Sanctuary of the Mother Thrice Admirable in Otwock-Świder to Grodno (then in the Republic of Belarus). They served in the parishes of St. Mary of the Angels and of St. Francis Xavier and of Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in Grodno and Indura, Brzostowica, Kwasówka, Mosty, Mosty Prawe, Mikielowszczyzna, Różanka, Balla Kościelna, Grandzicze, Putriszki, and Minsk. They conducted catechesis sessions preparing for the sacrament of Confession and Holy Communion. They undertook charity work by organizing Caritas, apostolic work among girls, mothers and families of Schoenstatt, the Apostles of Mary, the circles of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the pilgrimage sanctuaries of Mater Ter Admirabilis, and the retreats for girls. In 2015, the sisters celebrated the 25^th jubilee of their work in Belarus.