BRAZIL, Fr. Argemiro Ferracioli/lcv. On March 30, 2014, the recently rebuilt Fidelity Wayside Shrine in S. João de Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, birthplace of João Luiz Pozzobon, was blessed. João Pozzobon chose the ideal for the Fidelity Wayside Shrine, which can be found on the small bronze plaque — which he had made and attached — onto the small shrine on 17/01/1980: “Fidelity Wayside Shrine, hearts united to the Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt.”
Walking with Mary
In order to carry out the immense apostolic work which João Pozzobon dedicated himself to for thirty-five years, he undertook several initiatives, among them the construction of forty-three wayside shrines to honour the Blessed Mother, and each one had its own ideal. João Pozzobon worked a great deal with mottos and ideals, using them as goals and vehicles for his apostolic activities, a sign that he was always a “good student” of our Father and Founder. The idea of wayside shrines came after a trip he made to Germany, Rome and Portugal in 1979. The Wayside shrines were blessed in the Shrine and were blessed again in the presence of neighbours in the place where they were to be placed. They were located at strategic points which were often far from the parishes. It is at these wayside shrines that the people would gather on the 18th of each month to pray the Rosary at João Pozzobon’s encouragement.
This Fidelity Wayside Shrine had disappeared and in this Jubilee Year, the Pilgrim Mother Campaign which is active in the parish, decided to re-conquer it, encouraging everyone to make contributions to the Capital of Grace for this intention.
Sónia and Assi, the Pilgrim Mother coordinators, are the main driving forces behind this process.
The Flood precedes the Covenant and Blessing of the Fidelity Wayside Shrine
Just as the Flood preceded the Covenant that God sealed with Noah, it seems that the Heavenly Father willed this transcendent act to occur only after the heavens had opened and showered conciliatory waters over the wayside shrine to be blessed.
Some twenty people were present at the re-inauguration of the wayside shrine, among them, the parish priest, Fr. Aristeu; and his assistant, Fr. Osvaldo; and the mayor, Mrs. Valcerina.
Fr. Argemiro, a postulator of the Cause for the Beatification of João Pozzobon, presided over the celebration. During the celebration, he commented that João Pozzobon up in heaven would rejoice to the see the Fidelity Wayside Shrine erected once again. With the image of our Queen and Mother, the area will receive a new evangelising impulse. Whoever goes there will feel welcomed by the Blessed Mother and will be heartened by the beautiful message of the fidelity and union of hearts with our Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt.
This is one more gift for the jubilee of the Covenant of Love.
Original: Portuguese – Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa
