“In truth, you deserved the crown, deserved it to the fullest!”

BRAZIL, Sister M. Silvana Pin. “In truth, you deserved the crown, deserved it to the fullest!” This sentiment was shared by all of Schoenstatt’s sons and daughters who participated in the solemn celebration of praise for the Queen of Heroic Child-likeness on 20.08.2009. The 60th jubilee of the crowning by our father and founder in 1949 united the Schoenstatt Family in Santa Maria in an uninterrupted chain of prayer.

In preparation for this day, our Queen heard the crowning prayer many times, recited by the different branches, groups, communities and individuals. On 20 August, the para-liturgy in the Tabor Chapel allowed us to lift our hearts up to the sky and rejoice with our coronated Queen. The celebration began with the priest incensing the MTA picture. We then heard the Liturgy of the World which reminded us of the Marian image given to us in Sacred Scripture: the Queen who intercedes for her people and is the “great sign in heaven.”

The crowning prayer proclaimed by our father and founder in 1949

We then heard the solemn hymn “Akatistos do Tabor” sung by the Sisters of Mary and interspersed with words by our father and founder. We processed to the Shrine, taking with us our flags, lights and many crowns that represented the aspirations of the various branches of the Movement and other groups in preparation for the Jubilee. All those who could, entered the Shrine and once again renewed the crowning with the prayer our father and founder prayed in 1949. Afterwards, we circled the Shrine, forming a fidelity circle and calling out three times: “Thus we remain: simple and faithful.”