19 March 2025 · 2025-03 newsletter
Over the weekend 1-2 March, two formation days were held in Melbourne. For the first time these were offered at different locations to better cater for the members of our Schoenstatt Family. Melbourne is a big city, and it was truly a help that one day was held in the West of Melbourne where 17 members attended and one in the East where 12 members were able to attend.
The theme for the days was “Pilgrims of Hope”. This was very appropriate as we have just begun the Jubilee Year which Pope Francis has called a year of hope. We have been encouraged as Christians to seek a time of spiritual renewal, to recover lost hope, to renew the hope that is in our hearts and to sow seeds of hope in today’s often challenging world. These intentions of the Holy Father fit very well to Lent and so the days explored ways in which we can use the time of Lent in this Jubilee Year as a time of renewal, a time to radiate to others the message of hope and a time to sow seeds of hope in our everyday lives: in our families, workplaces, neighbourhood, social activities and so on.
We shared with each other what ‘hope’ means to us and besides the many thoughts about hope, we confirmed that the deepest reason for our hope lies in the mystery of Redemption, the death and resurrection of Jesus which we will celebrate again at the end of Lent: Easter with its tremendous message of HOPE.
Some quotes from Pope Francis helped us connect our pilgrimage of hope with the meaning of Lent, when we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Pope Francis tells us:
“Prayer is the first strength of hope. You pray and hope grows, it moves forward. I would say that prayer opens the door to hope. There is hope but I open the door with my prayer”
Another quote from Pope Francis is worth keeping in mind:
“Hope is not an empty word or a vague desire of ours that things may turn out for the best. Hope is a certainty because it is founded on God’s fidelity to His promises. The Christian cannot be satisfied with having hope, he or she must also radiate hope, be a Sower of hope. It is the most beautiful gift the Church can give to all of humanity, especially in times in which everything seems to be dragging down the sails.”
On both days we were also able to share experiences with the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate.
We also deepened our understanding of Schoenstatt as an international movement through the video “Seed of a New World” which depicts, from various aspects, the celebration of the centenary of Schoenstatt.
The longing for a new Shrine in Melbourne has not ceased even though we are grateful for the home we have found for our Blessed Mother in St. Luke’s Church in Wantirna. Regular prayers for this intention – twice a month – have begun and this time of prayer is also enriched with a time of formation on various themes connected with our Schoenstatt spirituality.
Our MTA is surely happy with this initiative. Let us support our Melbourne Family with our prayers!
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