Do you know the origin of the statue of St. Michael the Archangel found in the interior of the Schoenstatt Shrine?

The little chapel in the valley of Schoenstatt had seen a long and varied history. It stood on the foundations of a chapel built at an old cloister before 1226. The large open area between the chapel and the bluff had been the cloister cemetery, and in keeping with German tradition, the cemetery was adorned with a small chapel dedicated to St. Michael, patron of the departed souls. With room for about 25 worshipers, it was not meant for major services but for cemetery functions, though for many years starting in 1319 Mass was celebrated there daily.

At the beginning of the 20th century the chapel with its surrounding property was bought by the Pallottine Fathers. Fr. Kentenich claimed the chapel that had become a tool shed for the use of the Marian sodality and on his name day, the feast of St. Michael, September 29, 1914, Father Kolb, Provincial superior of the Pallottines, donated a statue of St. Michael as his gift for the new endeavor. It was given a place of honor right in front, above the altar.

St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!

Text from Schoenstatt San Antonio