PORTUGAL, Sister Paula Leite. On December 28tth, Vila Nova de Monsarros-Anadia crowned fifteen Pilgrim MTAs in a very simple way, and with great joy, beginning the great current of graces that we expect for our diocesan families through the crowning of all the Schoenstatt Pilgrim MTAs. This initiative developed in preparation for the large crowning on September 8th of an Auxiliary as Queen of Europe’s New Evangelization in the Original Shrine. Almost two years ago, in March 2010, this picture traveled to some parishes in the diocese and throughout Portugal. She is on pilgrimage in European countries, and on Her way. Missionaries and families met to pray, and to express gratitude for the small miracles that the MTA works in each place and to pray for a more Christian Europe, especially for the sanctification of families. And so this is how the desire to crown all the Pilgrim MTAs that visit families emerged.
Missionaries of Vila Nova de Monearos
During the past year, a brief motivational message was sent monthly with each MTA in preparation for the crowning fostering attitudes that we were to conquer.
Vila Nova de Monsarros was the first parish of our diocese to crown. The missionaries met to coordinate some meetings with families in the chapels in each location to explain the meaning of the crowning. Their determination was great, but it was always marked by simplicity.
The honor was for the Queen, and so the missionaries prepared a throne of outstanding beauty… One night with dedication and love, they met to sew some cushions worthy of the crowns. Everyone helped in one way or another. Some of the missionaries’ husbands helped to prepare the throne making some bases to hold the MTAs and they designated a place for each one. They also made souvenirs to give to all the participants of the crowning ceremony.
Our Lady exists
On the 18tth, Covenant Day, the church was opened a 9:00 a.m. and everyone was surprised by the throne with the fifteen Pilgrim MTAs, fifteen crowns, flowers, candles, and ribbons which were perfectly arranged. A childlike joy reigned and their eyes smiled when the saw the throne.
The Holy Mass followed, which the pastor, Father Vitor Espadilha, celebrated. During this 18th celebration, he referred to the Gospel by explaining the richness of Schoenstatt, in the greatness of Our Lady in giving her ‘yes.’ Furthermore as a testimony, he presented a letter from an immigrant of the parish who visited the Original Shrine with her family to obtain a Pilgrim MTA. She had a very strong experience of Our Lady’s presence in the Original Shrine, and she asked that we tell the people that Our Lady exists and that she perceived it.
At the end, after some brief words from Sister Paula, the priest asked everyone to kneel and to pray the consecration prayer that had been distributed.
The crowns were presented, and it was only necessary to place them on each one of the Pilgrim MTAs of the Queen of the Family.
Father Vito Espadilha presided at this brief ceremony and he placed the fifteen small crowns while the choir sang.
It is such a beautiful, heavenly image
Afterwards, when it was time to remove the crowned Pilgrim MTAs, everyone felt sad, since it was such a beautiful, heavenly image, which would elevate any heart. Then the idea emerged to offer the people who did not attend the opportunity to experience the throne of the crowned Pilgrim MTAs. Since Christmas would be the following weekend, and with the priests approval, it was agreed that they would bring the crowned MTAs, and so the cushions would not be empty, each missionary would bring a small Baby Jesus: we offer the crown to the Queen Mother, and She offers us her Child.
It did not take long to hear about the fruits of the crowning. A mother, who had problems with her daughter, received a crowned MTA, and she prayed to the Queen for her daughter, so that she would find her way back to the Church. The following day through her own initiative, the daughter went to Mass. During a casual encounter in the Shrine, a young couple asked for a small Pilgrim Shrine to take to their home. They did not know the place or Schoenstatt, but they had attended the Crowning Mass although they belonged to another parish, and they liked it so much that they asked for a picture of the MTA for their home.
It was the first crowning in a parish of the Diocese of Aveiro, but many more will follow. May the Pilgrim MTA truly be a Pilgrim Shrine of grace for many, and with Her power as a Queen, may Our Lady help and accompany the families for the “New Evangelization of Europe.”
Photos: Fr. Vitor Espadilha, Paulo Teixeira, José Raposo
Celina M. Garza: Spanish/English translation – Melissa Peña-Janknegt: English edit
