History of Ohio Schoenstatt Girl's Youth League
 

In 2001, an Ohio Diocesan leader and a Schoenstatt Sister inquired of several mothers from the Mothers' League and the Couples' League if they might be interested in helping with the formation of an Ohio Schoenstatt girls' youth group. These mothers said "yes" as they felt this would provide a wonderful opportunity for their daughters to become more familiar with the Schoenstatt way of life and to learn more about their Catholic faith.

 

The Schoenstatt Sister in the area at that time, led the meetings and shared the many teachings of Schoenstatt. The meetings were held in the home of one of the leaders, and the mothers helped with the crafts and games and provided refreshments. Thus, the first Ohio Schoenstatt Girl's Youth Group was formed and monthly meetings began.  Mary's Precious Stars of Kindness was the group name chosen by that first group of girls.  

The Ohio Schoenstatt day camp and the overnight camp for our girl's youth had its start in 2002. The day camp is geared for girls aged six to ten years old and is held on a Schoenstatt member's family farm in Yorkshire, Ohio. The overnight camp is held at the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, located in Maria Stein, Ohio, and is open to all girls ten years of age or older. 

In the early years, the overnight camp consisted of lessons  taught by a Schoenstatt Sister, crafts, games, and refreshments. The first day ended with songs, stories, s'mores, and a bonfire. The second day's events included the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Mass.

Eventually, a Schoenstatt Sister was no longer available to lead the retreat. Because of this, the mothers of the girls took over this responsibility and led the girls overnight camp from 2012 through 2015.  

In 2012, the Ohio Schoenstatt family was participating in a crowning stream. The mothers, who were leading the overnight camp for the first time, felt this would be an appropriate theme for the camp. The girls chose their title,  Our MTA, Queen of Believers and Everlasting Love, and crowned the Schoenstatt wayside shrine on the island at the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein. It is amazing, that despite all types of weather conditions, the crown of twelve stars, constructed of pink foam, remains attached to the MTA!  Since 2016, a group of Schoenstatt college-aged young ladies, the Ver Sacrum Patris Mission Women, have lead the girls' camp at the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein. These young women are trained by the Sisters at the International Schoenstatt Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to lead youth camps across the USA. 

In 2013, another Schoenstatt  girls’ youth group was formed. The book,  On the Way to the Covenant, was used for their studies. The participants in this girl's youth group made their covenant on July 10, 2014, and, after this event, the girls started leading groups with the help of their mothers. 

The youngest Schoenstatt Girls Youth Group, The Little Crowns, is for those from ages five through eight. The girls are guided through Schoenstatt and other Catholic materials pertaining to the virtues of Mary, the Rosary, Marian Feastdays, pilgrimage places, and how Schoenstatt honors our Mother Thrice Admirable. Through their group activities, study, and prayer they grow in their love for the MTA. 

The Marian Apostles is for girls ages nine through fourteen. This group meets to learn about our Mother Thrice Admirable, Father Kentenich, the history of Schoenstatt, and all that is needed to prepare to seal the covenant of love  with Mary. Each group chooses a name for their group and chooses a symbol. Emphasis is placed on the virtue of purity, the importance of Holy Mass, and wholesome reading, TV, and social media materials. After their covenant of love dedication they are encouraged to have a special place in their room in order to give Mary a place of honor where they can visit and pray. They continue to grow through self education, growing in their Schoenstatt spirituality, and giving Mary a place in their hearts. 

There is also a branch of young women ages fifteen to twenty-three. These young women are cultivated in their Schoenstatt spirituality and also prepare for a covenant of love. They also learn more about topics related to their age, such as vocation in life, both personally and professionally. Their life work and state of life are brought into the light of discovery to help them discern who and what they are being called to become. It is not necessary to have been in a younger group, prior to becoming a part of a group that is appropriate to your current age. If you join at a later time, there is also study for the covenant of love for those who were not previously in a Little Crowns or Marian Apostles group. 

It is important to note that a number of the girls who were a part of the covenant group in 2014 became leaders and helped form more Little Crowns and Marian Apostles groups. What a wonderful blessing these young ladies have proven to be for the Ohio Schoenstatt family!

Do you have young daughters or granddaughters? Is Mary calling you to lead either a Little Crowns or Marian Apostles Girls Youth group? If you are a mother or grandmother in the Schoenstatt Mothers' League and have a sincere love for our MTA, you can lead a girls' group! The books provided to the leaders are easy to read with easy to follow directions. Remember....our Mother takes perfect care!  Prayerfully consider - "Is Mary calling you to lead a girls' group in Ohio?" Please say, "Yes!" 
Our girls need you! 

 

For more information on the Ohio Girls Youth Movement or camps, contact:  schoenstattofohio@gmail.com.