28 October 2025 · 2025-10 newsletter
On Sunday 31st August 2025 parishioners and friends of Corpus Christi Parish, St. Ives celebrated the silver jubilee of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate in this parish. The holy Mass was celebrated by Father Greg Chee and was followed by the crowning of the Pilgrim Mother Shrines and the recommissioning of the coordinators. The day’s celebrations were attended by the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, Sister M. Elizabeth and Sister M. Rita as well as many Pilgrim Mother members and guests. There are over 70 members of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate in the parish, with seven Pilgrim Mother Shrines visiting homes in St. Ives and in the surrounding areas.
In his homily, Father Greg had reminded everyone that Schoenstatt is an international Catholic lay Marian movement dedicated to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the example and guidance of Mary, the Mother of God. He recalled that the movement was founded on October 18, 1914, by Father Joseph Kentenich in central Germany and continues to inspire people around the world today. At the heart of Schoenstatt’s spirituality lies the Covenant of Love with Mary, a unique relationship that binds the individual with the Blessed Mother. It is a mutual commitment expressed in the phrase: “Nothing without you, nothing without us.” This covenant reflects a deep trust in Mary’s intercession and a desire to let her shape lives in the image of her Son.
The Schoenstatt spirituality highlights “everyday sanctity” or living a life of holiness in daily activities. It places an importance on a practical belief in Divine providence, trusting in God’s guiding hand encouraging members to be anchored in God’s will by living their faith in tangible ways. Father Greg emphasised to the congregation that Mary, as Mother of the Son, Daughter of the Father, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, has a God-given mission: to form others into mature members of the Body of Christ.
The climax of the celebration came with the crowning of six Pilgrim Mother Shrines and the recrowning of one. This symbolic act expressed the community’s love, trust, and surrender to Mary, recognising her as Queen and intercessor in their lives and the one who strengthens them for their mission. Following this, the Pilgrim Mother Coordinators were recommissioned, renewing their commitment to bring the Pilgrim Mother Shrine into homes and to families. Together, everyone then prayed the consecration prayer, once again entrusting themselves to Mary to use them as her instruments in leading others to Jesus. The liturgy concluded with the final blessing.
The day’s celebration continued with a joyful afternoon tea in the parish hall, where friendships were renewed and stories shared. During this time, Sister M. Rita offered a thoughtful reflection on the meaning of the crowning, and the significance of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate helping those present to deepen their understanding of this gesture of faith and devotion.
The tradition of crowning the Blessed Mother in Schoenstatt has a rich and profound meaning. It began on December 10, 1939, when Father Kentenich, offered the blessed Mother Thrice Admirable a crown in the Original Shrine in Germany. In the midst of the dark days of Hitler’s rule, this crowning was a plea for Mary’s protection over Schoenstatt and a sign of trust in her intercession.
When we crown the Blessed Mother today, we continue this act of faith. It is a way of acknowledging anew that our lives, our families, and our community are entrusted to her maternal love, protection, and powerful intercession before the throne of God. Through this gesture, we declare that our future rests in her hands, as we allow her to guide us ever closer to Christ.
Sister M. Rita shared the story of John Pozzobon, a small businessman from Brazil who began what is now the international Pilgrim Mother Apostolate. The initiative began on September 10th, 1950, as a spiritual preparation for the proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption by the Church which was to be on November 1st that same year. John Pozzobon carried an image of the Blessed Mother from home to home, fostering prayer and faith among families.
His dedication grew into what is now a worldwide apostolate. Just recently on July 20, 2025, Deacon Pozzobon was declared Venerable by Pope Leo XIV – a recognition of his heroic faith and example.
The Pilgrim Mother Apostolate continues to be a vital outreach and form of evangelisation today. Each month, the image of our Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt visits families on a regular basis.
In this way, Mary herself goes out from the shrine to meet her children, bringing Christ and the graces of the Shrine into their homes. These graces are threefold: the grace of feeling at home with God and the Blessed Mother; the grace of inner transformation, helping us to live our Baptismal Covenant anew each day; and the grace of apostolic fruitfulness, inspiring us to share the gift of faith with others.
There were a couple of testimonies from members. The first, from a member who believed the Pilgrim Mother was instrumental in finding a job for her husband as it coincided with the Pilgrim Mother’s visit. The other testimony was from someone who visited the Original Shrine in Germany with her cousin from Holland and as a result of this pilgrimage both have now developed a deeper spiritual relationship with Mary.
Sister M. Rita’s talk, together with the testimonies, left many inspired to live out the Covenant of Love more faithfully in their daily lives.
The day closed with hearts full of gratitude and joy—for the gift of Schoenstatt, for the presence of Mary in the Pilgrim Mother, and for the renewal of our commitment to carry Christ and Mary into homes and communities.
The day’s celebration can be summarised in the words of Father Kentenich’, “Mother takes perfect care”.
Crystal D’Souza
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