An international place of pilgrimage, the Schoenstatt Shrine in Bedfordview recently celebrated 50 years since its inception.

The Golden Jubilee was marked on October 18 in Bedfordview, with over 300 people in attendance.

Sharing the significance and history of the shrine, Sister Mary Clare noted that the Schoenstatt Shrine at Bedfordview is a replica of the original Schoenstatt Shrine near Koblenz on the River Rhine in Germany.

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“The name Schoenstatt means ‘a beautiful place’. Our little chapel is often sought after for marriages, also because of our beautiful garden, but we need to ensure peaceful surroundings for those who come to pray.”

She said the shrine is the centre of the International Schoenstatt Movement, a movement in the Catholic Church focused on personal and moral renewal.

Clare said it is difficult to ascertain the number of Schoenstatt members worldwide, but there are over 200 Schoenstatt shrines globally. In South Africa there are five shrines, three in Cape Town, one in the Eastern Cape and the Bedfordview shrine, the youngest, at 50 years old.

Clare said, “The Shrine here in Bedfordview was built by members of the Schoenstatt Movement every Saturday.

They funded it themselves. The building of the shrine started in October 1974 and was completed exactly a year later in October 1975.

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“Only one member was knowledgeable as a bricklayer; all the others were amateurs, office workers. The Schoenstatt families would gather every Saturday here at 33 Florence Avenue.”

She highlighted one remarkable event regarding the bell tower. Clare said one member made the bell tower in his spare time, in his garage. When the tower was hoisted using makeshift scaffolding, it fitted exactly, prompting cheers from all who watched.

Another interesting feature is the foundation stone, built into the wall close to the sanctuary. It was part of a foundation stone blessed by the founder of Schoenstatt, Father Joseph Kentenich, when he visited South Africa in 1948.

The marble plaque on the outside of the shrine reads, “Build from here a better world.” Clare said that is exactly what Schoenstatt aims to do, providing places of grace and beautiful gardens where people can reflect and become better versions of themselves. The Shrine in Bedfordview is open from 08:00 to 18:00.

In celebration of the golden jubilee, Claudia Azedero said a Rosary Garden was built. It is a large rosary in the garden where visitors can pray and reflect on the mysteries of the rosary. It also serves as a teaching tool for catechism classes.

Azedero said, “Some people make it their daily trip to come here, some just come once a week to reflect. Now that we have our new beautiful Rosary Garden, more people will come because it is sacred.”