BY Ryan McDougall | October 26 | 
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‘Spa for the soul’ is blessed at Schoenstatt Centre
A NEW memorial grotto at Schoenstatt retreat and pilgrimage centre has been formally blessed by Bishop Brian McGee of Argyll and the Isles.
The grotto, situated in the serene 17-acre Schoenstatt estate, is surrounded by fells and trees, amid the chirping of 60 different types of birds that live in the area.
On the day, Sunday October 21, Bishop McGee was joined by clergy and the Schoenstatt Sisters, who helped in leading the procession and blessing.
Those who visit the grotto can have a small 5×10 inch plaque created in memory of their loved ones, which will be placed within the walls of the grotto.
Around 100 pilgrims visit Schoenstatt each day, all of whom will be encouraged to pray for the souls named in the grotto, and have the option to light a candle for both people they knew personally and those named on the plaques.
Cailein Gillespie, the centre manager of Schoenstatt, commented on those who will be remembered through the grotto and the plaques.
“The most important element one can ever undertake is to pray for the holy souls and the soul of your dearly departed—anything other is redundant effort,” he said.
“Remember, your dearly departed soul recollected in the Grotto is embraced in the daily prayer of the community here at Schoenstatt Scotland, and most especially during the month of November, where two weekly private services are conducted within the grotto itself.
“Unreserved peace, tranquillity, and charm that Schoenstatt Scotland offers, enables me without reserve, to state that it is indeed a ‘spa for the soul.’”
Blessing the centre, Bishop McGee said: “All powerful God, whose mercy is never withheld from those who call upon you in hope, look kindly on all those who will be inscribed on the walls of this Grotto who departed this life confessing your name, and number them among your saints for evermore.”
On the same day of the grotto’s blessing, the retreat centre’s shrine, which is seen as the spiritual source of the Schoenstatt movement, was re-crowned.
The Scottish Schoenstatt shrine was built in 1989, making it the first in the British Isles.
It is modelled after the original shrine at the centre’s namesake town in Germany, where the movement originated.
Schoenstatt is around a 30-minute drive from Glasgow, and neighbours the small village of Haughhead, two miles from Lennoxtown.
To find out more about Schoenstatt Scotland, contact 01360 312718, or visit:
www.schoenstatt.co.uk
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