USA, Carlos Cantú. High gasoline prices and a bus with a tire-problem did not deter the approximately 400 pilgrims from attending their yearly pilgrimage from the Diocese of Brownsville to the CONFIDENTIA SHRINE in Rockport/Lamar, Texas. This is a long-standing tradition from the Diocese of Brownsville in Texas, USA. The Diocese of Brownsville is the southernmost diocese which borders with Mexico. The Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary worked in this diocese from 1959 to 1971. They did an excellent job in fostering the Schoenstatt spirituality among the people. It is approximately a 3-hour trip by car to the Confidentia Shrine/Schoenstatt Center.
May 22, 2011: Pilgrimage from the diocese of Brownsville to the Shrine in Lamar
The day begins with serenading Blessed Mother. Everyone gathers around the Shrine to greet the Blessed Mother in song, especially with the traditional MANAÑITAS in Spanish. The program throughout the day is a bilingual program, English and Spanish. Schoenstatt Fathers, Héctor Vega and Christian Christensen, are with the pilgrims during this day, and in addition to the celebration of Holy Mass, talks in both English and Spanish are given and there is also time available for confessions.
Queen of Peace
This year the pilgrims were also blessed with the presence of the Rev. Mishael Koday. He accompanied the busload of pilgrims who came from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in McAllen, Texas. After lunch, there is the praying of the Holy Rosary and benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. At the conclusion of the day, the pilgrims were given a memento: a beautiful card with a globe and the symbol of the Holy Spirit above it, and the words Queen of Peace/Reina de la Paz and the date of the pilgrimage.
The pilgrims offer every year – during Mass – a crown to the Blessed Mother. The intention/crowning title is usually linked to the yearly Texas motto or to a pressing need. After the homily, a chosen person or persons, process forward with the crown for Blessed Mother. The picture which is crowned every year is the picture which will someday be in their own diocesan daughter Shrine. (This is something they pray and hope for…..that someday they have a Schoenstatt Shrine in the Brownsville Diocese). It is a solemn and holy moment in which everyone silently thanks Blessed Mother, petitions Blessed Mother, or makes special promises to the Queen. Due to the present conditions in the world and the violence in the neighboring country, Blessed Mother was crowned as QUEEN OF PEACE. Following is the coronation prayer:
The coronation prayer 2011
Dear Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt: with unlimited, childlike, victorious confidence; with deep love and loyalty, we come to crown you today as our beloved Queen. Our world is filled with turbulence. Our hearts are continuously restless. Our Church and our families experience crisis after crisis. Wars, violence, natural disasters, pain and suffering of all kinds are reminders to us of our need for God and for your motherly protection. Mother, beseech your Divine Son to bring us his peace, the peace which tells us that you always take perfect care, that you have been and always will be a loving mother to your children. Our father and founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, is a model for us on how to live in peace, united to God and to you, Blessed Mother. Help us to love as he did. Help us to live in peace as he did. We pray for his beatification and through his fatherly hands, we crown You today as our QUEEN OF PEACE!
