A captivating celebration in the Cathedral of Sao Paulo

September 10, 2005: Thousands of Pilgrim MTA’s were crowned in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Recibe la corona...

Accept the crown...

Nimm an die Krone…

10 de septiembre, San Pablo: Un mar de peregrinas en la catedral September 10, Sao Paulo: a sea of Pilgrim MTA’s in the catedral 10. September, Sao Paulo: ein Meer von Peregrinas in der Kathedrale
La Auxiliar coronada, 50 años después de la coronación de la Peregrina Original The Auxiliary, with her crown, 50 years after the crowning of the Original Pilgrim MTA Die neu gekrönte Auxiliar – 50 Jahre nach der Krönung der Ur-Peregrina
Coronación Crowning Krönung
Somos tus misioneros… We are your missionaries… Wir sind deine Missionare…
La cathedral, llena The cathedral, filled to capacity Durch Schönstatt lasse neu sich füllen der heiligen Kirche weite Hallen…
En servicio de la Iglesia At the service of the church Im Dienst der Kirche Fotos: www.maaperegrina.com.br © 2005

BRAZIL, Sao Paulo, Maria Dulce Torres. On the same day that Joao Pozzobon crowned his Pilgrim MTA 50 years ago, thousands of missionaries filled the Cathedral and renewed the coronation. Monsignor Odilo Scherer, Secretary of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops, visibly impressed said: "Raise your Pilgrim MTA’s one more time!" It was a beautiful scene: a sea of pictures of the Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt!

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Sao Paulo! Why was this day so different from the others? Why do you see Pilgrim MTA's everywhere? There were 7 or 8 buses,

and even the drivers were surprised. In the subways, there were countless ones in all the stations. All were carried towards the Cathedral, where they would be crowned during the 12:00 p.m. Mass.

You could see the joy of those who arrived at the main entrance with the Pilgrim MTA in their arms. On this September 10^th, the fiftieth anniversary of the first crowning, thousands of Pilgrim MTA’s that would ordinarily be in the homes in Sao Paulo, arrived to be crowned as Queen of the family.

Each mystery for a continent

Before the Holy Mass, a living Rosary was prayed, that was prepared by the region of Ipiranga with the participation of the missionaries and the coordinators, who were in the center of the nave. Each mystery represented a continent and they were distinguished by different colors of cloths and candles. A Pilgrim MTA was elevated with each Hail Mary, and with each Our Father, a unity cross and a candle were raised.

The crowning began with the mystery of the Annunciation

The entrance procession began at 12:00 p.m. Monsignor Odilo Scherer, Auxiliary Bishop of Sao Paulo and general Secretary of the Brazilian Conference of Bishops, carried: the processional cross, one of the symbols of the International Schoenstatt Work, accompanied by two priests. National Flags, flags from the Vatican and the Movement and the Lectionary were also in the procession. The Auxiliary Shrines accompanied by children of the infant-youth apostolate, had ribbons that showed the number of Pilgrim MTA’s and families in each region or diocese. The Auxiliary Shrine donated by Deacon Joao Luiz Pozzobon to the Shrine of Villa Mariana was in a special place on the altar surrounded by a crown of white flowers. The other Auxiliary Shrines were placed on the steps that were covered with gold and white cloths.

The celebration presided by Monsignor Odilo was guided by Father Antonio Bracht and by Father Jose Alem, and it was concelebrated by eight other priests from the different parishes.

"Through Schoenstatt may the wide halls of the holy Church be filled again"

These words of our Father and Founder (Heavenwards) became a reality:

Approximately five thousand persons filled the halls of the cathedral. It was truly a sea of Pilgrim MTA’s. It seemed that there was a Pilgrim MTA in the hands of each person.

It was impossible to hold back the emotion each time that Father Antonio asked that the Pilgrim MTA be elevated. It was marvelous! You could not believe what your eyes were seeing. And tears could not be held back. Monsignor Odilo also seemed impressed and he asked that the Pilgrim MTA’s be elevated one more time. The cathedral seemed to be a unique and great Shrine of the beloved Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt.

In the homily, Monsignor Odilo spoke of Joao Pozzobon’s beautiful idea of taking Mary from house to house, and that idea has extended throughout the world. Even today the Mother of Jesus continues taking him to the homes to be received by families, by many persons, so that many hearts will find joy and hope in Him. He also said that Mary helped to bring persons close to Jesus, and left them full of God.

The Sisters of Mary took a model of the Shrine in the offertory procession.. It was a small Shrine inside of the great cathedral!! The people received the Shrine with warm applause. Baskets with the contributions to the Capital of Grace were also offered. A family composed of a young couple and four small children took the Pilgrim MTA representing each family that receives it in their home. The bread and wine that would be consecrated in Christ was offered at the end of the procession.

One Queen in the thousands of Pilgrim MTA’s with thousands of crowns

The coronation ceremony, which they had prepared for so much, began after communion.:

The Auxiliary of the Diocese of San Bernardo do Campo was crowned representing all the Auxiliary Shrines. Orian and her husband, coordinators of the city, expressed their great happiness.

When "We Crown You, Mother" was sung, all the missionaries crowned their Pilgrim MTA’s. Those that were already crowned renewed the crowning by removing the ribbon that was over the crown.

The cathedral was illuminated by the light of joy that irradiated from everyone

Everything was joy and astonishment. All you could hear were compliments: "What a beautiful ceremony! How marvelous! How exciting!" Fatima Bracco said: Each Pilgrim MTA truly represented small lights to illuminate the earth. Emotion overcame everyone present. I heard a comment from a tourist: "What is happening here?" It looks like the Shrine of the Apparition!" The Cathedral was truly transformed into a ‘mega Shrine’ of the Pilgrim MTA. Father Kentenich is probably very happy in heaven because of the greatness of his work.

This very solemn crowning is the fruit of victorious confidence

The Schoenstratt Apostolic Movement filled the halls of the cathedral. With victorious confidence each one carried out his role, and together they achieved marvelous results.

Thank you, Mother! Thank you for having chosen us as your instruments. Thank you for permitting us to participate in such an exciting celebration. We do not have words to express our gratitude for such a special time it is something that we will never forget.

We are grateful for having been invited to be present in the cathedral on this day. What a blessing! What a grace!"

Vigil of Adoration for the crowning

On Thursday, September 8^th, the different areas spent time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Shrine in spiritual preparation for the crowning. The Shrine was full of people all day. It was the Feast of the Birth of Mary. Adoration ended with Holy Mass celebrated by Father Alem. How good it was to be in the Tabor of the Shrine! No one wanted to go home...

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA