SCHOENSTATT PILGRIM MOTHER FOR FAMILIES
History of this apostolate
In the Holy Year 1950, when Pope Pius XII called all Catholics to come on pilgrimage to Rome, John L. Pozzobon, a member of the Schoenstatt Movement in Santa Maria, Brazil, received an image of the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt to be circulated on pilgrimage among families and homes in the area.
He accepted this task as a mission and took the image of the MTA on pilgrimage for 35 years. Walking more than 85,000 miles he brought the image of Christ and Mary to families, homes, parishes, schools, and prisons. He took to heart the words and the message of Father Joseph Kentenich, founder of Schoenstatt.
In 1959, at the request of some families, João Pozzobon had the inspiration to circulate small pilgrimage pictures of the Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt in groups of 30 families. Very quickly, a group of people committed to this apostolate was formed. Year after year, the number of images, parishes and people involved increased, leading to the development of an organization that would sustain this apostolate and take into account the parishes and dioceses, with their pastoral plans and goals.
Every month, each Pilgrim MTA visits a group of 6-10 families (here in the USA) on a permanent basis and is under the care of a missionary who is responsible for the apostolate in the families.
The visit of the Pilgrim Mother makes it possible to evangelize families, forming small communities within the larger parish community.
The MTA travels throughout the month, going from family to family, from home to home. A group of people make a commitment to invite her into their homes for a few days every month.
During her stay in a home, she is given a place of honor. Individuals and families are encouraged to come together to pray, especially the Rosary, placing all their petitions before the Blessed Mother in their home.
Many people give witness to the fruitfulness and blessings of these visits by our Blessed Mother in the Rosary Campaign. Some of these blessings are: a deeper love for God and for others, peace, joy, a longing to share with others, strength in difficulties, miracles of conversion, family unity, and returning to the Church.
Mary wants to carry Jesus into our homes. She wants to serve our needs; she wants to intercede many miracles of graces for us. Through the Pilgrim MTA Rosary Campaign it has become possible for the shrine to have “wheels” and go out to many people to help renew the Church and world.
Purpose
Mary brings Christ!!
Only if we bring God into our lives and homes things will begin to make sense. In our efforts to encounter the good news of salvation that comes from Christ, we are surprised, like Elizabeth, by the tenderness of God's presence through Mary's visit.
When the image visits our homes and calls to mind Christ’s presence among us, we hope for:
- a depeer love for God
- genuine joy
- help in making decisions
- peace and strenght to carry the burdens of everyday life
- inner conversion
- unity for families
- a return to sacraments
- greater faith commitment
- learning or re-learning to pray
- clarity to recognize our call to a Christian way of life
- trust in God as our Father
- deepening of love for his Mother
Suggestions to organize
How can you be part of this
Contact the coordinator if you would like to receive the image of the Pilgrim Mother
Contact information for your local Pilgrim Mother coordinator, is found on the website or at the Schoenstatt Center nearest you.
National Contact:
Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother
W284 N698 Cherry Lane
Waukesha WI 53188.
262-522-4326
If you are interested in becoming a missionary...
The missionary organizes the circulation of the image for at least one year, gather 6 – 10 families or persons who will receive the image once a month.
Become acquainted with the Schoenstatt Shrine, its graces, and its history.
That will help you share the image and its message of evangelization more effectively.
Settle on a date and time
when you will receive the image, and begin rotating it among your group.
Talk to your parish priest
about this apostolate that you would like to begin.
What do I do when the Blessed Mother comes?
The image rotates with a number of flyers, prayers, and manuals. The missionary may also include information pertaining to the life of the local faith community, the parish, the diocese, and our Catholic faith in general. Schoenstatt literature is also provided in order to make the visit of the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother much more meaningful.
At the end, thank her for the blessings received, contact the missionary who coordinates the visits, and pass the image on to the next person.
Click Here for some tips on how to receive the image.
