{"id":1364,"date":"2025-09-05T20:46:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T20:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fedeinternacional.com\/home\/?page_id=1364"},"modified":"2025-09-05T20:51:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T20:51:30","slug":"en-historia-desarrollo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fedeinternacional.com\/home\/en-historia-desarrollo\/","title":{"rendered":"EN-Historia-desarrollo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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History and development\u200b<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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History of the Mothers\u2019 Federation and its development up to the Confederation<\/h3><\/div>

(Excerpt from the presentation of Sr. M. Luciane Machens., September 8, 2022, and Matilde Di Battista for her territory, Argentina, in the year 2021)<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Beginning in 1920, women were admitted to the Movement, initially only as members of the League. The first woman to make a consecration in the Federation was Gertraud Gr\u00e4fin von Bullion (1891-1930). Together with her cousin, she formed the first Federation group of single women.<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Schoenstatt Movement grew and so did the Women\u2019s League. More and more married women became interested in what was emerging. In the mixed groups of married and single women, little by little the need to separate them became apparent, in order to better respond to the different realities and concrete needs of each group. Beginning in 1940, married women began to function in a separate Branch. Thus, the Mothers\u2019 League was born. When diocesan communities were formed, a Circle of diocesan leaders was formed in the Mothers\u2019 League who \u2013 together with a Sister of Mary appointed by the Founder \u2013 elaborated the apostolic guidelines of the Mothers\u2019 Movement, for courses in formation.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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In the minds of these leaders, the sense of responsibility for the Movement grew more and more, and with it, the need to deepen their belonging to Schoenstatt in the spirit of the Apostolic Federation. They then drew up a constitution, by means of which they wanted to commit themselves totally in this same way. The spokesperson for this group was Maria Maud Wiesmann.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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From time to time, some of these leaders informed our Father and Founder about their work and their desire to be allowed to find a Federation community for married women. But before giving his permission, Father Kentenich waited for clearer signals. He asked himself this question: Can a mother belong to two families, the natural one and a community of a family character, such as the Federation represents? Thus, before the \u201cbirth\u201d of the Mothers\u2019 Federation, our Father already considered that community in his heart. However, the decisive question for him was: What is God\u2019s plan?<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Gertraud Gr\u00e4fin von Bullion<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In 1950, a retreat for the Diocesan Leaders\u2019 Circle was organized for the first time from September 4 to 8 at the Covenant House. More than 100 mothers participated, and the large banquet hall of the Covenant House was filled to capacity.<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Father Kentenich spoke to the mothers on the theme: \u201cThe retreat is a school of love\u201d, dealing in depth with the questions and needs related to the education of the woman and the mother, in marriage and the family. (Lectures of the retreat 1950 \u2013 published in \u201cUns gesagt\u201d vol. 3 \/ For Us).

In between the lectures, Fr. Kentenich takes time to talk to the women of the Leaders\u2019 Circle on the subject of the Federation. Through the private letters that the mothers sent him individually, he had already gotten to know them. Finally, in summary, she tells them: \u201cThey practically already live the Federation: they keep a Spiritual Timetable, give an account to the confessor, and make a report to the group leader. And she assures them: \u201cAfter all that has been done, we now have a course of Federation of Mothers (\u2026) I believe that now that we have gathered in this way and we are organized with more strength, we should also speak of a new triumphal march that our Mothers\u2019 Movement is taking to the world. This supposes that all those in the Federation take even more responsibility for the work as a whole, so that the Federation courses grow and flourish. One foundation course must be followed by many others (\u2026) The tasks you have to solve are very different! What am I trying to say? (\u2026) How many are there? Forty-seven? Too few, if you want to have a worldwide mission, (\u2026) You have to grow in immensity\u201d.<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Retreat Room, Covenant House, 1950<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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First Course Ancilla<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2\u00b0 Course Coenfederatio<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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And as Father and Founder, he gives the mandate: \u201cWhen the Federation has been realized here, it must also emerge abroad. We must become an empire, a united community\u201d. (1950)<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Father Kentenich could not directly accompany the young foundation. He placed this responsibility in the hands of his faithful collaborator, Father Franz Bezler, who had already been directing the Women\u2019s Federation for years. Now he also had to bring married women into the structure of the Women\u2019s Federation. M. Christgard as the person responsible for the implementation of the Mothers\u2019 Federation and then, from 1952 onwards, Sr. M. Vita, who headed the Federation until 1982.

On February 4, 1968, a decisive conversation took place between our Father and Founder and Sister M. Vita. She asked how the Mothers\u2019 Federation should continue. Up to now, it had been an experiment for her. Each course lived in its own community world, but the real structure of the Federation was missing. What would become of the \u201cexperiment?\u201d<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Father Kentenich clearly gave the instruction: \u201cPrepare the official constitution for 1970 and draw up the statutes.\u201d This meant:
(a) In addition to the courses, from now on, two areas (free community and official community) are established.
b) Area leaders are appointed
c) Course mothers are appointed.
d) The first provisional statutes become obligatory.
e) Sister M. Vita is elected leader of the Federation.

Father Kentenich had promised to carry out the Constitution. But Heaven had another plan. On September 15, 1968, it was time for his return to the house of the Triune God.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The women and mothers faithfully followed the instruction, and after intense work, on August 22, 1970, at the tomb of the Founding Father, the Constitution of the Mothers\u2019 Federation could be formalized.<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mothers of the 6 founding courses seal the constitution<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Expansion to other countries<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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1981<\/strong> \u2013 Chile celebrates the founding of the Mothers\u2019 Federation, with 15 women.
1986<\/strong> \u2013 USA begins with the first meeting of candidates.
1988<\/strong> \u2013 The first course is formed in Argentina.
1992<\/strong> \u2013 Mothers in Portugal begin to get to know the Mothers\u2019 Federation.
1992<\/strong> \u2013 Ladies in Switzerland also began to show interest in the Mothers\u2019 Federation.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1994<\/strong> \u2013 A request is submitted to the General Presidency to be allowed to start the Mothers\u2019 Federation in Brazil.
1994<\/strong> \u2013 South Africa also officially submits a request to the General Presidency.
1995<\/strong> \u2013 Paraguay joins the Federation of Argentina as a single territory
1995<\/strong> \u2013 From this year onwards, the Mothers\u2019 Federation is represented in the General Presidency by the Federation of Germany.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1999<\/strong> \u2013 Mothers from Spain become interested in the Federation.
2006<\/strong> \u2013 The General Presidency is formally requested to allow the founding of the Mothers\u2019 Federation of Spain.
2022<\/strong> \u2013 Paraguay founds its own territory, becoming an autonomous territory.
2024<\/strong> \u2013 Costa Rica begins its founding process.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What has been the road travelled up to the present day?<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The path towards the International Confederation of Mothers\u2019 Federations has been a life process that began years ago.

In September 2002, the first international meeting took place in Germany. This meeting was conceived in 1999, in Chile, for the May 31st Jubilee, by federated mothers motivated by the desire to get to know each other and exchange information and experiences about how the Federation was lived and developed in each of the countries that, despite the difference of languages and places, shared the same mission and the same language: the Covenant of Love with Mary.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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In each of its meetings, those who had the joy of participating in one way or another, can attest to the fraternity, warmth, dedication, devotion, work, capital of grace and joys, transformed into abundant fruits and richness difficult to transmit.

In each subsequent Congress, the aim was to exchange experiences, strengthen ties, share ideals, seek common ground to unite, reflect and project what our Father and Founder left us as a mission and, as far as possible, respond to the challenges of the present time.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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These international meetings took place every 5 years in different countries:

2002<\/strong> \u2013 1st Congress, Schoenstatt, in Germany.
Germany proposed several topics to get to know each other.

2007<\/strong> \u2013 2nd Congress, Argentina
Theme 1: The educational plan in the Federation. Pedagogical Path<\/em>. Argentina\/Paraguay
Theme 2: Lifestyle of the Mothers\u2019 Federation<\/em> \u2013 Chile.
Theme 3: Road to the Mothers\u2019 Federation Model<\/em> \u2013 Germany<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2012<\/strong> \u2013 3rd Congress in Brazil
Theme 1: Selection Criteria <\/em>\u2013 Chile
Theme 2: Covenant Culture <\/em>\u2013 Argentina\/Paraguay
Theme 3: Apostolate<\/em> \u2013 Germany

2017 <\/strong>\u2013 4th Congress, in Chile
Theme 1: Family today<\/em> \u2013 Germany
Theme 2: Schoenstatt on the way out<\/em> \u2013 Argentina\/Paraguay
Theme 3: Women and the daily activity\/work<\/em> \u2013 USA, Texas
Theme 4: Vocation and the Federation<\/em> \u2013 Chile

2022<\/strong> \u2013 Founding Chapter, in Schoenstatt, Germany<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Since 2002, an international current has been developing and growing over the years, to such an extent that in 2012, at the 3rd International Meeting in Brazil, the idea of establishing the International Confederation was already concretely installed. There we worked and exchanged a lot on the subject. It was decided to take it up again at the next international congress, in Chile, in 2017.

In each of the international meetings, Sr. M. Luciane played a leading role, and we learned a lot from her. At the 2017 Congress, she spoke about the International Confederation and commented that the General Presidency had invited us to reflect on this topic.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Since the first international meeting in 2002, the question of how and when we could work together as a Mothers\u2019 Federation had been hanging around us.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Thus, in 2017, we noticed that we were at a historic moment, beginning Schoenstatt\u2019s second century and close to the 100th anniversary of H\u00f6erde. Imploring the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, we began to reflect on whether the time had finally come to found the Confederation and what the steps were to follow.

The first step was to submit the application for the International Chapter. The second step was to propose an official date for the Chapter, expressly defining it as the Founding Chapter of the International Confederation of Mothers.<\/strong>

Also, to decide on the place, which could be in Schoenstatt, as the place of origin.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Another point was to decide how many members would participate in this Chapter. It was resolved that each territory would send three representatives.

This Founding Chapter would also have to elect the International Directorate. Since the Chapter is sovereign, it should also decide how many members would be part of the International Directorate.

In order to constitute the International Confederation, in accordance with what was resolved in the International Congress of Chile 2017, a request was submitted to the International Presidency of the Schoenstatt Work, which has the power to authorize such a request.

On November 18, 2018, the International Presidency unanimously approved the request and confirmed the holding of the International Chapter for September 2022, in Schoenstatt.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Road to the Founding Chapter<\/h4><\/div>

In 2021, a commission was formed, presided by Chile, in which the way to work to organize this International meeting was discussed.

The first commission was made up of three mothers: Bernardita Gonz\u00e1lez, from Chile, Iris Wiersma, from Argentina, and Kathleen Colunga, from the United States. They began to meet periodically, overcoming language barriers. They first learned to get to know each other, to exchange experiences and ways of working within the Federation, in each of their territories. They grew in friendship, affection and trust. They delegated concrete tasks to the other territories that would attend the Foundational Chapter.

Then, the Zoom meetings began to be more frequent. Mothers from the territories that would attend also joined the work of the commissions. They were all learning to use the translators available on the web.

Germany sent a series of questions, which she considered important to be answered before the Founding Chapter. In this way, thanks to the digital platforms and some translators, they were able to meet several times with the participants of the International Chapter to plan, discuss, and agree on how to work. These exchanges \u2013 prior to the Chapter itself \u2013 required a lot of work, but they were essential, very enriching, and facilitated the work that was later developed in Schoenstatt, during the Foundational Chapter.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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International Council <\/h5><\/div>

The International Council elected during the Founding Chapter, on September 7, 2022, was constituted by the following mothers:

International Leader<\/strong> \u2013 Kathleen Colunga (U.S.A.)
Vice International Head<\/strong> \u2013 Matilde Di Battista (Argentina)
First Councilor<\/strong> \u2013 Maura Santana De Jesus (Brazil)
Second Councilor<\/strong> \u2013 Cecilia Brunner (Chile)
Third Councilor<\/strong> \u2013 Norma Pistilli (Paraguay)<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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On September 8, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the International Confederation was founded with the name: \u201cInternational Apostolic Federation of Schoenstatt Mothers<\/strong>\u201d with the motto: \u201cMary, whoever sees me should see you.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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