History » 1939 - 1969 » 1939 Heinz Schaefer
Heinz Schäfer ("Second Founder Generation")
Extract from Josef Klein, Gelebtes Schönstatt, Heinz Schäfer, Lahn Verlag Limburg 1955:
(p. 36) „The conference came to an end. Had the large group of boys really come to a decision? We know that those among them who thought and felt most deeply were inwardly dissatisfied. They met again privately. So as not to attract the attention of the Nazis, they squatted in the barn of Kretzers House near the old tower with Fr Bezler in their midst. There were 8 of them. (According to Fr Alfons Boes’ memory in July 2001 the following seven were probably there: Schäfer Heinz, Boes Alfons, Plein Walter, Rombach Eugen, Scholz Bernhard, Meis Josef, Schmitt Franz. Fr Bezler was probably the eighth.) Heinz Schäfer was the actual motivator. They decided to give themselves totally and radically to the MTA in order to be the pars motrix (the moving part) of the Youth Realm. They tried to express these thoughts in a consecration prayer, which each one presented to the Blessed Mother in the shrine following this “conspiracy” in the barn. It was 9th August 1939. The eight participants often reflected on this hour and saw it as the highpoint of their lives. Yet Heinz Schaefer dare during the quiet time of consecration in the shrine to offer the MTA his life ...“
In his biography of Heinz Schaefer, the author continued in this way:
(p. 59) “Through the Second Founding Document the idea that Mary is Queen came into the foreground. The Sisters gave her a crown in the shrine. A scepter was given to the Regina ter admirabilis (Thrice Admirable Queen). The boys with the Ver sacrum (Holy Springtime) ideal thought about giving an orb in order to complete the number of royal insignia. Opposing voices said that their symbol would have to be a vital and youthful one. A blazing torch would better express their ideal. During the Christmas Congress of 1939 they chose the raging fire as a sign of their generation, as well as the Holy Springtime. ...”
A year later, in 1940, they began looking for a visible symbol to express this ideal. A number of designs were put formward. Heinz Schaefer, who was a talented artist, also set to work. He wrote:
„I want to involve myslf in producing a design. But instead of an orb, I am thinking of a paten and a broken crown, with the sanctuary lamp inside in a bowl. I envisage the crown of the German Kaiser. ...“
Then Hans changed his mind and supported the shape of the orb. He attempted a few improvementsto one of the designs until in the end the Ver sacrum group accepted the shape of the sanctuary lamp we can see in the shrine today ...
(p. 63) “Old Year’s Night 1940 in Schoenstatt. The Ver sacrum group had gathered there. The symbol they had fought over so enthusiastically stood on the right of the altar in the shrine. It showed a paten with three crosses visible beneath it, a round glass container with oil and a wick surrounded by golden bands that indicated the globe. At the top it was crowned by a cross and the initials MTA.”
