17 November 2023 · 2023-11 newsletter
Rydalmere Region
Prior to the time of COVID, the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate coordinators as well as our members in the Rydalmere Region would come together regularly for our Schoenstatt formation, meetings, and Covenant Renewal. We would come together every year to celebrate the Crowning Anniversary at the Church of the Holy Name of Mary where our Mother Thrice Admirable was crowned. We would pray, say the rosary, and celebrate the Crowning Anniversary.
During the pandemic times, the Crowning Anniversary was celebrated via zoom. So recently, as the Crowning Anniversary of our Mother Thrice Admirable – Mother of Mercy and Queen of the Family was approaching, we were quite unsure, whether we could all gather for the celebration. We discussed it and decided to come together to celebrate the anniversary on the 8th of October.
So, on the second Sunday of October 2023, a small number of us came together to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the crowning of our MTA – Mother of Mercy and Queen of the Family. We began our spiritual celebration with Adoration of the Exposed Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel of the Church of Holy Name of Mary.
This was followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary in front of the crowned MTA in the Meeting Room. Praying the Rosary, we reflected on the Joyful Mysteries, entreating silently our special intentions at each decade of the rosary. Every year at our anniversary, we remember our past members and coordinators who are no longer with us and include them in our spiritual intentions on this day.
This was followed by our group discussion where we had a reflection on ‘Mother You Deserve a Crown’ (by Carlos Cantu – Schoenstatt Movement.) We discussed why we crown our Blessed Mother? First, God Himself crowned Her Queen. Her Son is the King of the Universe so through God’s plan His Mother must be Queen at the side of Her Son. As a Queen, She also has an ‘infinite power.’ (St Thomas Aquinas) One person commented on the scene at the ‘Wedding at Cana” and yes, we all agreed that with just a few words from our Blessed Mother, we also ought to do ‘what He tells us to do.’ Another comment was that in crowning our Blessed Mother we show our meekness and humility. We acknowledge our helplessness and incapabilities as Our Lady educates and forms us as we go through the many challenges and trials in our lives, the ups and downs of being Her instruments in our apostolate. It was wonderful to hear as well, when another said, that we need to place our trust blindly in our Blessed Mother especially in these troubled times, in our fallen world – Yes, Mother, ‘Nothing without you, Nothing without us.’
After our inspiring group discussion, we sang some Marian hymns, ‘Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above’ and ‘Ave Maria Gracia Plena.’ This was then followed by afternoon tea and an opportunity to catch up with one other.
As we were at first undecided when would be the best date to celebrate this special occasion, it seemed that our Blessed Mother made the decision. Her time to have a special celebration of Her Crowning Anniversary, was the day after the Feast of the Holy Rosary. This left us all with hearts filled with crowning joy.
Agnes Aldana, PMA Rydalmere Region
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