ITALY, Vincenzo Rocco. Sunday, April 22. Sicily. Our Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt had gathered in Palermo, at the “Jesus Liberatore di Fondo Margifaraci” centre, about 1,500 faithful from all parts of the island, for the 7th Regional Meeting of her family. To welcome us all, was the auxiliary image of the Pilgrim Mother for Italy, which on that day ended the visit in our beautiful Sicily that both loves and worships her.
Throughout the day our Heavenly Mother, cradling her Son in her arms, presided over all the events of the day, watching over, from her place beside the altar, and directing her loving gaze to all the families that from eight in the morning had begun to arrive.
Each of the faithful had something to ask the “Matri Bedda” (Beautiful Mother in Sicilian), one a physical healing, another a spiritual healing, and all present felt the desire to thank her for the serenity and peace that her visit brought to their family.
Living Stones in the Church
We began to pray the Morning Prayer, and immediately after Father Ludovico Tedeschi greeted those who had spoken and in his catechesis challenged us to be, with Mary, living stones in the Church.
Afterwards there was the witness of Paul Brosio, who like his namesake of Tarsus spoke of his conversion on the road to perdition. He told of his encounter with Madonna and how she led him to his son. He emphasized the crucial role of priests, who are granted the power to forgive our sins and gave words of praise for the nuns who quietly work in many areas of society, such as hospitals, schools and missions. A real river in flood, as anyone who meets Jesus can no longer remain silent.
By midmorning, Don Mario Cascone presented Mary as Queen of the family, calling the collaboration within the Church.
The highlight of the morning was the adoration of the Eucharist, celebrated by Don Leoluca Pasqua, words cannot adequately describe the feelings experienced by all, heaven and earth were united, we went to Heaven and unfortunately we had to came back.
After lunch and a time of relaxation, the priests present made themselves available for those who wished to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Covenant of Love
Meanwhile, Paul Brosio continued his testimony, and referred the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt as the “Simple Madonna” and, emphasizing her pilgrim nature, wanted to recite with all present, the second decade of the joyful mystery, the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.
The day ended with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Father Ludovico Tedeschi, and concelebrated by Father Mario Cascone, Don Pino Spataro, Father Giuseppe Maniscalco and Don Massimiliano Lo Chirco, during which sixty faithful sealed the covenant of love with Mary.
We acknowledge and give thanks for the pilgrim Auxiliary image of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, which from January 8 to April 22, has been with us in Sicily, the icon was given to Francesca Signorini, head of the Campaign of the Pilgrim Mother in Tuscany, which together with three other Tuscans has taken the image to their region.
Thanks…
Thank you Father Ludovico for giving us the counsels that you convey so well, when life presents us choices.
Thanks to Sister Ivone and Sister Julia, all day long you had been close to people.
Thanks Don Mario, you reminded us not to be like the jars of Cana, heavy, bulky and vacant (“empty” for the non-Sicilians).
Thanks Don Leo, in the Eucharistic adoration you made us talk to God.
Thanks Don Pino, for your joyfulness.
Thank you Father Joseph, for your simplicity.
Thanks again and best wishes, Father Maximilian, for having celebrated with us your Priestly ordination’s anniversary that took place the previous week.
Thanks Paul for your testimony that has touched our hearts.
Thank you Jesus, because every day you keep your promise, “I am with you always, until the end of the world” (Mt 28, 20) and because you have given us this beautiful Mother.
1500 people praying, worshiping, singing…
Rosamaria Lupo: The “Simple Madonna” … as she was called by Paul Brosio.
The joys that are “simple” are the greatest … how great is the grace that God gave us on this Sunday’s regional meeting of Our Lady of Schoenstatt Pilgrim! 1500 people praying, worshiping, singing, while Jesus was solemnly brought in the crowd, as at the beginning of our history when the man turned to Galilee and healed! And Mary, who “… with those eyes of mercy” is watching us and lovingly seems to say “Do whatever he tells you ‘!
Unforgettable moments, and if you allow me, moments of Paradise! That gives the necessary strength to resume the climb, with renewed hope … indeed, the absolute certainty that our Lord never abandons us, is always with us … indeed walks with us!
Translation: Valerio Salvador. Family Federation, Johannesburg
