History of Schoenstatt in Scotland

In January 1962, Schoenstatt came to Scotland in the shape of Sr. Xavera. She was asked by the German Bishops to establish a centre for German catholics resident in Scotland and the North of England. She was joined later by Sr. Vincetas and they worked for many years from Ardmory on the south side of Glasgow. Their work covered an area from the north of Scotland down to Manchester in the north of England.

As well as looking after German ex-soldiers they worked to promote Schoenstatt and slowly but surely a small family Movement began to emerge. In the 1960s some members even travelled to Germany and met Fr. Kentenich. The desire for a Shrine also began to grow, encouraged by Sr. Xavera's irrepressible energy. The altar arrived in the 1970s and in the 1980s the first vocations began to appear. Two priests were ordained for the Schoenstatt Fathers (Fr. Duncan McVicar and Fr. Bryan Cunningham) Two girls joined the Schoenstatt Sisters (Sr. Mary-Elsbeth Owens and Sr. Marion McClay) and one Glasgow Diocesan priest joined the Schoenstatt Priests' Institute. (Fr. Michael Savage).

As well as a broad pilgrims branch a fledgling Family branch also began to form. In the 1980s Sr. Margareta and Sr. Patricia arrived in Scotland and the move to establish a shrine gathered pace. The Shrine opened in 1989 at Campsie Glen north of Glasgow followed by the Formation Centre at Ballencleroch in 1995.