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CV NEWS FEED // The Catholic United States military soldiers gathering this month for a St. Joseph-focused spiritual retreat was the largest congregation of active military men the retreat center had ever seen, according to the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS).
The Catholic Schoenstatt Retreat Center, a Marian pilgrimage site, lies along the Rhine River and serves as the headquarters of the worldwide Schoenstatt movement. This is the 16th year the center has welcomed Catholic US military men stationed in Germany.
Father Joseph Kentenich founded the movement in 1914. He and a group of young men formed a covenant of love with the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking her to spiritually establish herself in a chapel in Schoenstatt, Germany, so that it could become a Marian place of pilgrimage.
Fifty-eight men from U.S. Army Garrisons Wiesbaden, Stuttgart, Kaiserslautern, and Ramstein Air Base spent three days at the center spiritually resting and reflecting, especially on St. Joseph, for the AMS European Men’s Retreat.
According to an emailed press release from the AMS, “These guardians of liberty focused on the inspiring example and powerful intercession of Saint Joseph, spiritual father to the Lord Jesus.”
The retreat offered Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and short talks based on how St. Joseph’s example and intercession can help them while they serve their country.
One of the speakers was Bishop William Muhm, a retired U.S. Navy chaplain and Episcopal Vicar for Military Installations in Europe and Asia. His talk focused on the example of St. Joseph, explaining that “fatherhood is not only biological, it is spiritual. That is why Catholics call our priests, ‘father.’ Joseph was and is father to the Lord Jesus and to all Christians.”
Bishop Muhn expressed his gratitude for all who attended the retreat.
“It was inspiring,” he said, “to see dozens of busy men take time out of their hectic schedules for spiritual growth.”
