Celebrating their centenary Jubilee in over 200 shrines worldwide, the international Schoenstatt family at Mt Richon marked their milestone with hundreds of people at a special celebration on October 19.
As crowds of people descended upon the grounds on Mt Richon, Armadale, the shrine was transformed from a place of silence and peace to one filled with life and jubilation.
The celebrations began with a procession of symbols by members of the Scheonstatt family signifying the history of Schoenstatt movement.
These items included images of the Virgin Mary and Father Joseph Kentenich, founder of the Schoenstatt movement, as well as 100 red roses, one for every year of the movement’s existence.
Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey together with 20 clergy from across the Archdiocese.
At the conclusion of his homily, Archbishop Emeritus Hickey called upon nine lay candidates to come forward and seal their covenant of love by consecrating themselves to the Virgin Mary, who is referred to as Our Lady, thrice admirable.
At the start of the Schoenstatt movement’s Jubilee year in October 2013, Pope Francis granted a plenary indulgence to all members of the Schenstatt movement] and to the faithful who participate in any of the Schoenstatt Jubilee Year celebrations.
In light of this decree, Archbishop Emeritus Hickey led those present in the necessary prayers to meet the requirements for the plenary indulgence.
At the conclusion of Mass the congregation were invited to place their intentions to the Virgin Mary at the foot of the altar in the shrine.
The celebrations continued with food and refreshments provided by volunteers who assisted the Sisters in preparation for the evening.
The Schoenstatt movement has been present in Australian since 1951, when four sisters of their secular institute arrived in Fremantle.
Originally based at the small mid-west town of Tardun, 427km north of Perth, the movement was also present at Wandering and Riverton before operating exclusively from Armadale.