30 September 2025 · 2025-09 newsletter
Twenty-six years after the first novena to ‘re-conquer’ the Shrine at Kew, our Melbourne Schoenstatt Family are still loyally praying a nine-week Novena – every Sunday at 3pm – to prepare for the Feast of the Assumption, the day on which in 1999, our Mother Thrice Admirable was invited to take up anew her home in the Shrine, which although blessed in 1952, had not been ‘active’ as a Schoenstatt Shrine for some 30 years. This memorable day is celebrated annually.
Because the Shrine no longer exists, this year for the second time, our celebrations took place at the ‘new’ Shrine of Our MTA in the Church of St. Luke’s Wantirna. It was a cold but beautiful day, on August 17 when around 50 members of our Schoenstatt Family gathered to first pray the rosary in the Grounds of St. Luke’s. They were joined by at least another 20 members as well as parishioners for Holy Mass at 10am. Fr. Joseph, the parish priest, warmly welcomed the Schoenstatt Family and throughout the Mass prayed for us and our intentions.
The Pilgrim Mother Coordinators were sent our anew following the Mass and afterwards all gathered around our MTA in the Chapel to greet our Mother and Queen. She was offered a bouquet of more than 100 roses donated by various members.
Our contributions to the capital of grace were later burned outside while we sang in honour of our Blessed Mother. Lunch, fellowship and the annual general meeting followed. There was joyful and grateful atmosphere on this special day.
Formation Sessions were part of the activities in Melbourne. Sr. Elizabeth offered formation on the Saturday afternoon prior to the Feast. With João Pozzobon having recently proclaimed “Venerable’ it was fitting to search deeper into the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate which he began 75 years ago. (see last month’s Newsletter). At the conclusion of this session two ladies, members of a Women’s Group which meets via Zoom, entered into the Covenant of Love. It was a joy to welcome these mothers into the Women’s Branch of the Movement. To conclude the day we could celebrate with the ladies and share their joy.
On the Monday evening which was Covenant Day (18th) a group of our Spanish speaking Schoenstatt Family gathered in the West of Melbourne in a very special ‘prayer space’ (a garage converted to a little prayer chapel) for formation.
On the following day this formation session was repeated for a group of women, also in the West of Melbourne. The topic was the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate. Those attending had the opportunity to refresh or learn newly about the importance of the Pilgrim Mother travelling regularly to family homes. It is a true tool of evangelisation.
With about 12 participants in each formation session, we can say that Our Lady and the Holy Spirit were very active and enabled our coordinators and circle members to enrich their knowledge and their faith.
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