Fr. Kentenich's Teachings to Understand and Adapt

DSCN6135.JPGTo understand yourself and each other, so that the teachings of Father Josef Kentenich can have a greater impact on the world - that is the goal of the Pedagogy Tent is supposed to teach. 

What is waiting for the pilgrims who visit the Pedagogy tent? 

The teachings of the tent is structured on the teachings of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The greatest emphasis will be on the teachings of today. There are 100 projects organized intro 6 sections. the most important part are the lessons within. there at projects out of 5 continents to look at. Other sections include central-pedagogy, social-pedogogy, and Adult Faith Formation for teaching and business like raising faith in a family. 

Nearby is the area for the youth-pedagogy. When we talk about pedagogy and teachings, we think first about the youth. There are many projects here as well: such as the hungarian youth project, who will be presenting a musical on the Holy Mother Mary. The idea of the tent is not only to put the projects on display, but to provide an experience for those who attend. That is the lesson from Fr. J. Kentenich! The Pedagogy tent is there so that we can make the teachings of Schoenstatt portable. 

What do you think the pilgrims will find that they will find exceptionally cool or interesting? 

There is for example a life-sized statue of Pater Kentenich. He is waiting to welcome the pilgrims with a pedagogical key phrase from his “pre-charter” speech from 1912. The testimonials from individuals and in the form of videos will make the teachings of yesterday accessible to the people of today. Beyond that there is a great wheel - The wheel is the Logo of our tent. The five spokes of the wheel symbolize the central aspects of the Kentenich-pedagogy: Trust, ideals, commitment, covenant, and the movement pedagogy. It is a type of wheel of fortune. That visitors can play and with a little luck can win something, for example a coffee at the snack bar.  

Nearby there are some youth doing a show on unicycles. There is a book lounge where visitors can look at books of Kentenich’s pedagogy in multiple languages. The idea of the pedagogy tent is: Don’t just say the pedagogy, experience it. 

What has surprised you about the Kentenich Pedagogy projects? 

two years ago, I was lucky enough to take a trip to South America: most specifically Paraguay and Chile. I have got to know the Schools and Pedagogy personally. For me that really opened the door. The pedagogy  of Fr. Kentenich is something new, something strong, something that has an influence on our society. I have come to know people, who have dedicated their entire lives, so that the teachings of Fr. Kentenich would penetrate into society and become known. These people moved me. I marvel at how fruitful the pedagogy of Fr. Kentenich is. I’m working right now in Hungary as well. There are many ideas and projects over there. 

Between the pedagogy from yesterday, today, and the future, which one is your favorite? 

The Future! Kentenich’s pedagogy is so powerful.  I believe, we are standing on a new beginning. I hope that the jubilee and 2014 is a beginning where the pedagogy shall bear even more fruit. 

Where do you see growing room? 

The pedagogy of Fr. Kentenich has year to reach all of the places where it has potential. For example schools, corporations, welfare/ social security… These are all very different places, but all have lots of potential if one were to work with the Kentenich pedagogy. I personally really like the example of “Maria Ayuda” in Chile. In every place for children there is some form of shine, so that the hearts of the children will be opened to heaven. It is so easy, but also very powerful. That is the pedagogy of Fr. Kentenich.