18 June 2025 · 2025-06 newsletter
Our Lady was the focal point of all celebrations that took place at Mt Schoenstatt on Sunday, 18 May as part of Schoenstatt’s annual Marian Pilgrimage. In line with the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, the motto of this year’s pilgrimage was, “With Mary – Pilgrims of Hope!”.
An estimated 900 people braved the cool temperatures and threatening clouds to participate in Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, concelebrated by Rev Fr Pawel Barszczewski OP, as well as deacons Rev Jerome D’Rozario and Rev Wilfredo Limjap, and seminarians from the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Sydney.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation was also available to all pilgrims during the morning, prior to the start of Holy Mass. Many took the opportunity to go to confession as part of the necessary requirements to obtain a plenary indulgence when visiting the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mulgoa; one of the three nominated pilgrimage sites within the Diocese of Parramatta as part of the Jubilee Year.
The annual highlight of our Marian Pilgrimage each year is the sending out of coordinators for the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother Apostolate and this year eight new coordinators were named and presented with their Pilgrim Mother Shrines. These will now travel from home to home, so that the Blessed Mother can bring the light, hope and graces of Jesus, into the lives of those who receive her.
Hundreds of existing coordinators also attended the celebration to renew their annual commitment and to be sent out once again to their existing circles.
Bishop Long was visibly surprised and expressed joy at the sheer number of those, part of the wider Schoenstatt community, sharing in the same love and devotion to the Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt.
The several food stalls offering various cuisines ensured that pilgrims were well replenished with lunch in time for the afternoon program, which featured a Eucharistic procession starting in the valley.
Pilgrims followed behind the Blessed Sacrament, praying and meditating upon the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
Alternatively, those who were unable to take part in the procession were given the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, which was also very well attended.
The procession culminated at the Shrine for a devotion and Benediction during which the final highlight of the day took place, the sealing of the Covenant of Love by 15 candidates.
C.f. following article.
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