USA, Kathy Colunga, Teresa Godina and Theresa Ochoa. It was a beautiful Sunday morning at Mount Schoenstatt in the hill country near San Antonio in Helotes, Texas. Fifty-three coordinators arrived from San Antonio, New Braunfels, Floresville, Eagle Pass and other surrounding areas. Each came to spend the day at a Rosary Campaign Workshop. On this day our Mother Thrice Admirable chose to rekindle the fire of love, hope and courage in the eager hearts of the coordinators and those who receive the Pilgrim Mother.
Rosary Campaign Workshop held on August 7, 2011 at Mount Schoenstatt, Helotes, Texas, USA
Father Marcelo Aravena, Coordinator of the Schoenstatt Movement of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, spoke of his personal knowledge of John Pozzobon whom he described as a true son of Fr. Joseph Kentenich who was in frequent communication with the founder. At the young age of 20, Father Marcelo met John Pozzobon and his personal insight into this great man made his PowerPoint presentation so real for everyone that day. He explained the importance of the life work of Pozzobon in the founding of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign in Santa Maria, Brazil. Sister Teresinha gave John Pozzobon an MTA picture in 1950 and asked him to take the image to homes and pray the Rosary.
Father Kentenich’s blessing
Fr. Marcelo provided a glance into the spiritual side of Deacon John Pozzobon, through the findings from his last will and testament, found in the personal notes of Fr. Esteban Uriburu, who at the time of his death, was working on a book on John Pozzobon. He remarked that John Pozzobon and Fr. Esteban Uriburu were best of friends and with their combined efforts organized the Rosary Campaign, with the approval and blessing of our Father and Founder, Joseph Kentenich, who blessed the work on August 4, 1951 in Brazil. This blessing became the strength for the campaign. Fr. Esteban Uriburu, a very prayerful Schoenstatt priest, was instrumental in making the Rosary Campaign international. Their global vision is obvious today with the worldwide dimension of the Rosary Campaign. From the small request made by Sr. Teresinha to John Pozzobon and after thousands of miles of the Pilgrim MTA’s travels, the Pilgrim Mother arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA in September 1984. It came to Texas through the hands of Sr. M. Corelia Bechold, in August 1987.
A special call
Following the presentation, Fr. Marcelo gave an uplifting talk on being in the Rosary Campaign. He expressed that this mission is a special call, a call to each Rosary Campaign coordinator. Father Esteban strongly believed that through the Covenant of Love everything was possible. Blessed Mother educated Deacon John Pozzobon to a high degree of holiness through the Covenant of Love, and to this day they remain our role models. Fr. Marcelo encouraged everyone to get to know John Pozzobon by reading the books written about him as well as praying to him and seeking his intercession. He emphasized that as coordinators, being fully committed to the Rosary Campaign mission, we can build a “network of hearts”.
A crown for the Auxiliary
The Mass was offered for the growth and fruitfulness of the Rosary Campaign. Our Mother Thrice Admirable was crowned as Queen of the Rosary Campaign of San Antonio. The beautiful crown was placed on the Auxiliary. A Rosary Campaign Workshop would not be complete without praying the Rosary and sharing testimonies of the special graces granted by our Mother and Queen during her stay with them and others who receive her.
In the Cor Unum in Patre Shrine, 40 coordinators were re-commissioned and three new coordinators were commissioned. All were sent forth from the Shrine with renewed strength, grace and courage to continue in the service of our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt.
