USA. Carlos Cantu. Although the Queenship of Mary is not a holy day of obligation, for several years now, it has become a very special day for the Schoenstatt Family in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. It was decided for all to come together – all branches of the Movement, including the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign coordinators and participants – to honor our Blessed Mother as Queen. We celebrate this feast day yearly in different parishes in the diocese in order to give as many as possible the opportunity to have as many members of the Movement visit in the local parishes. It brings the Schoenstatt Family together, and this is now our yearly official gathering.
This past August 22nd, the celebration was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Harlingen, Texas. The pastor, Msgr. Pedro Briseno, was elated to host the celebration in his parish. Our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt has been enthroned in this church for several years, and her image was crowned several years ago as well. Msgr. Briseno was already pastor here when Blessed Mother was crowned and he has a loving veneration for our Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt.
The significance of Mary as Queen
200 or so persons were in attendance. The entrance procession included more than 50 Pilgrim MTA’s as well as several Novenarias. (The Novenarias are extra-large MTA images in the shape of the Pilgrim MTA, and the families who receive them, do so with the intention of praying the 9-day MTA Novena. After the novena is prayed by the family, they accept the Pilgrim MTA and they then participate in the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign).
At the beginning of the Holy Mass, Msgr. Briseno gave a heartfelt welcome to all. Also present for our celebration – and presiding at the Holy Eucharist – was Schoenstatt Father Hector Vega, director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Texas. He gave a beautiful homily which stressed the significance of our Blessed Mother as our Queen.
Hail Holy Queen
After the homily, all were invited to turn and face the crowned image of our MTA. Following a few solemn moments of silence – in order to express our private claims of love and our private petitions – all recited the HAIL HOLY QUEEN prayer in English and then in Spanish.
Our celebration could not be complete without the renewal of our Covenant of Love in song and then recited in Spanish.
Joyful faces expressed everyone’s love and devotion for our Mother and Queen!
please post the copy of the nine days novena of mother thrice admirable. thanks.