The spiritual center of our community can be found in Schoenstatt, Germany on “Berg Nazareth” (Mount Nazareth). The Shrine of the Families and our Institute Shrine can be found there where the Blessed Mother has taken up her abode, blesses and strengthens marriages and families in a special way. She is our center and life source.
Our vacation and conference centers, the House of the Family (Haus der Familie) and House Nazareth (Haus Nazareth) can also be found there next to our spiritual center.
Shrine of the Families
The Shrine of the Families was built and sacrificed for by all three family communities as a gift of gratitude to Our Lady for our founder’s homecoming in 1965 from exile in Milwaukee, USA.
The shrine was blessed on September19, 1971 with the participation of many families from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, North and South America.
The Shrine of the Families represents the unity of the entire family movement and is a symbol of our mutual mission.
Institute Shrine
Our Institute Shrine is the focal point and life source of our community. At the moment this can be found in the form of a home shrine in House Nazareth. This will in the future find its proper place on the top of Mount Nazareth.
We regard the Institute Shrine as the uniting heart of our community. Every individual member, every couple, every course and every community has its spiritual home in Schoenstatt, Germany where we are united in prayer and the covenant of love. From there we receive the graces required to fulfil our unique mission.
House of the Family
The House of the Family (Haus der Familie) was built at the beginning of the eighties by families for families. Many men and women from the three family communities existing within Schoenstatt put their time, energy and practical help into the building of the house. Many supported it in other ways, as well as financially. The house opened officially in 1985, the year that our founder (if still alive) would have been 100.
The house is mainly set up for conferences and vacations for families. The whole concept of the house was designed with the needs of families with children in mind. There are 15 family apartments with adjoining parent and children rooms, shower and bathrooms. In total there are 86 beds. The family facilities available are conference rooms, small group rooms, dining rooms, children’s play room and soccer room. There is also a small and large play ground plus a soccer field, table tennis, basket ball hoop as well as a house chapel. All facilities help towards an all round vacation for body and soul.
House Nazareth
House Nazareth is our “parents’ home”. It lies at the bottom half of Mount Nazareth (Berg Nazareth). At the end of the sixties the first families of our community bought it with great personal sacrifice. Many meetings and conventions have taken place here and this was home to our community’s counsel for many years. Our Institute shrine can be found here in the form of a home shrine.
The house is very simply furnished and is of great sentimental value. Apart from our own families the house welcomes other small groups who are simply looking for a meeting place with a religious and homey atmosphere.