A Day at the Liebfrauenhoehe
Schoenstatt Center in Germany
July 20, 2024
The rising sun in the early morning mist heralded the big day. In front of the Schoenstatt Shrine, busy hands removed the last traces of a heavy thunderstorm the previous evening. At the Marienhof, our farm, benches were set up in the garages and final preparations were made.
At 9:30 a.m. an elderly gentleman, for whom the weather would be too hot later, stopped on his bike in front of the shrine and said to the Schoenstatt Sister who was sweeping, “It’s always tidy at your place, just like on a good farm. I came here as an altar boy in 1956, when that building was first here.” He pointed to our former school opposite the shrine.
By 11:00 a.m. everything was ready. Yellow orientation signs at various corner pointed out the stations to the guests who were arriving. A map also helped everyone find their way around. Signs with the names of the different species and varieties of plants had been placed in the grain fields and orchard.
At various intervals, Mr. Bernhard Semmelmann offered a guided tour of the farm. A women’s choir group was settled comfortably in front of the house during their lunch break when a sister invited them to go on the tour. When they discovered the yellow zucchinis under the large leaves in front of the greenhouse, they exclaimed happily: “We were served from these zucchinis for lunch today.”
At each station new things were learned, e.g. that the color of chicken eggs depends on the color of the hens’ earlobes. What purpose does the red comb serve for the chickens? The ridge has a strong blood supply and helps to regulate body temperature by releasing body heat into the air via this mostly featherless part.
A basket of eggs was there. Who can match them to the right animal? A person could also expand their knowledge of chickens on the wheel of fortune and win a small prize at the end. The wheel of fortune was turned so often that the screw had to be retightened. The topic of pest control was of great interest. The various “little animals” used for natural control were shown on a poster. In small plastic boxes, they could be easily observed with a magnifying glass.
There were many surprising encounters and reunions along the way. A woman called across the yard to the sister who had been her former leader in the Schoenstatt Girls Youth and was delighted to meet her again after many years. A man came into conversation with a sister and said, “I helped build the shrine.” Another volunteered, “I’m the ‘Thank-you driver’ from way-back-when who transported the stones from the field.” A younger man looked across the property and commented, ““I was there as a kindergartener and I recognize many things.”
In the Schoenstatt Shrine, the first and most important building on the Liebrfrauenhoehe Schoenstatt Center, people wrote notes that were placed into the container at the altar and the people took with them the cards and material that were offered. A little boy revealed to the bystanders that he wrote to the Blessed Mother his birthday wish. Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary were always present at the shrine and answered questions visitors had or the sisters point outed the special features of this place of grace.
The large tractors in front of the machine sheds were very popular with young and old alike who gladly got on them. Shortly afterwards, the guests proudly held the instant photo that captured the wonderful moment. Horse lovers also were delighted. With unique hobby horses, they could “ride” through the original obstacle course of the horses and receive a small paper badge to pin on.
The physical well-being of the guests was provided for excellently. Refreshing beverages were particularly popular in the heat. There was a nice selection of food to strengthen oneself: Swabian pretzels (the best!), Leberkaes-Wecken (a specialty sandwiche), baguettes with herb spread, vegetarian burgers and homemade cake.
An estimated 500 visitors took advantage of today’s offer. Thanks to the wonderful collaboration between the Semmelmann family, the agricultural office, and many other helpers, we can look back with gratitude on a very successful day here at the Liebfrauenhoehe Schoenstatt Center.