Nursery School children in Marineo, in Sicily, Italy, welcome the MTA

The first ever handing-over ceremony of the Pilgrim Mother to nursery school children in Italy

La Messa per l'inizio delle attività della scuola dell'infanzia "S. Giuseppe" di Marineo Santa Misa para el inicio de las actividades del jardín de infantes “S. José” en Marineo Holy Mass for the opening of the kindergarten St. Joseph in Marineo Heilige Messe zur Eröffnung des Kindergartens St. Josef in Marineo
Don Massimiliano Purpura P. Massimiliano Purpura Fr. Massimiliano Purpura Pfr. Massimiliano Purpura
Bendizione Bendición Blessing Segen
Suor Regina Maira, Don Massimiliano, ragazza con la Madonna Pellegrina La Hna. Regina Maira, el P. Massimiliano, una niña con la Virgen Peregrina Sr. Regina Maira, Fr. Massimiliano, and a girl with the Pilgrim MTA Schw. Regina Maira, Pfr.  Massimiliano und ein Mädchen mit der Pilgermadonna Fotos: Tuzzolino © 2008

ITALY, Calogero Tuzzolino. On Friday 17 October, during the three-day preparation for the 18 October celebrations, the S. Guiseppe nursery school was inaugurated and Mass was held to celebrate the occasion. This nursery school is under the care of Sr. Rosa Maria, the principal of the Marian College, and she had a desire that the nursery school’s thirty or so children receive Schoenstatt’s Pilgrim Mother. And so, during the Eucharistic celebration, the parish priest, Fr. Maximiliano Púpura conducted the handing-over ceremony of the Pilgrim Mother to these children.

The nursery school children took up the commitment to take their "Mommy" home and invite their families to pray together with them, since the family is a special place where God is present and a family that prays together is a grace for the entire Church. Many remembered the words of Pope John Paul II when, on 9 September 2004, he based his talk on Fr. Kentenich’s letter written in Santa Maria, Brazil and told the Schoenstatt Family gathered for the dedication of the daughter shrine in Rome: "Follow the advice of your founder and give the Cross and the picture of the Blessed Mary a special place in your homes so that they can become "home shrines" (cf. Apostolic Letter Familiaris Consortio, 55) where the Virgin Mary can work as a mother and educator. Hence, from now on, the Blessed Virgin will go out in search of men as a Pilgrim Mother, so that they can experience her love and maternal help."

Congratulations to these children who desire to discover beauty, peace and harmony of a family united in prayer.

Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Johannesburg, South Africa