USA, Carlos Cantú. Sixty years ago, Joao Luiz Pozzobon might have heard about the state of Texas in the USA, but he had no idea that a banner with his image bearing the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt on his shoulder would be displayed in the Schoenstatt Training Center at a Coordinators’ Pilgrimage Day in Rockport/Lamar, Texas. Also on display were sixty or more Pilgrim MTA’s and two Auxiliary MTAs, all a vital part of the now known Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign of the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt that he initiated in September of 1950 in Santa María, Brazil.
Pilgrimage Day for Coordinators of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign
The official calendar for the Confidentia Shrine and Training Center in Rockport/Lamar, Texas, indicates March 20, 2011, as a Pilgrimage Day for Coordinators of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. Although there are SRC (Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign) coordinators throughout the various parts of Texas, the great distances make it almost impossible for everyone to attend on the same date. This year, there were coordinators from Corpus Christi, Laredo, and the Rio Grande Valley with the majority coming from the Rio Grande Valley approximately 3 hours away by car. Santa María, Brazil is in the state known as Rio Grande do Sul (do Sul meaning in the South). A large part of Joao Luiz Pozzobon’s SRC developed in this state, Rio Grande do Sul. I find this most inspiring since I was born and live in the Rio Grande Valley, the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, and the SRC flourishes in our area…just as it did in Rio Grande do Sul.
Greeting the Blessed Mother
After registration, everyone gathered at the Shrine to serenade the Blessed Mother. There is an old Hispanic custom to sing LAS MAÑANITAS to the special person of the day, and today this song along with others were sung especially for Blessed Mother. LAS MAÑANITAS was followed by the beautiful Marian hymn known as O MARIA, MADRE MIA and this hymn is also known by heart by many people. The Movement Director in Texas, Schoenstatt Father Héctor Vega, then extended a warm welcome to everyone and immediately everyone was home again.
Everyone then proceeded to the auditorium in the training center. There, Father Vega gave an inspiring talk. He emphasized the following: Mary is very important for our times; her life is the norm for us in our daily lives; we should give each day a Marian flavor, so to speak; foster a Marian attitude…what would Mary do… and have a practical faith in Divine Providence like Mary. Father Vega also stressed attachment to the founder and to the special grace given to him by God to proclaim the glories of Mary. He also brought to mind the importance of miracles of transformation for our world today.
A gathering for the coordinators of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign would be incomplete without the recitation of the Rosary
Of the approximately seventy persons in attendance, fifty renewed their commissions as coordinators in the SRC. Ten persons received their commissions to begin their task as new coordinators in the SRC. The commissioning and re-commissioning ceremony took place in the Shrine following Father Vega’s presentation.
After lunch, all gathered in the training center for the recitation of the Holy Rosary. A gathering for the coordinators of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign would be incomplete without the recitation of the Rosary. They prayed especially for all those persons who would be receiving the Pilgrim MTA’s in their homes. They also prayed especially for three coordinators who suffered an automobile accident earlier in the day. They were on their way to the Confidentia Shrine for the Coordinators’ Pilgrimage and were planning to seal their Covenant of Love. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, although one of the vehicles was a total loss. All were grateful that Blessed Mother took perfect care!
Immediately following the Rosary, the two Auxiliaries were crowned in an impressive ceremony. She is the Queen! She is the great Missionary! She will work miracles!
Covenant of Love
Holy Mass was offered with joyful hearts. Six of the nine coordinators prepared to seal the Covenant of Love, and sealed their Covenant of Love after the homily during Holy Mass. Their beaming faces were a testimony to the joy they were experiencing. After Mass, they proceeded to the Shrine to receive their covenant medals and to sign the Covenant of Love Book. The day concluded in the Shrine and they bid their Mother adieu, longing already for the day when they would return to give her their hearts anew!
