18 July 2025 · 2025-07 newsletter
On Saturday 14th July 2025 a small group of Pilgrim Mother coordinators and members braved the cool temperature and spent the day at Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa for the Midyear Reflection Day. The day was very blessed and fruitful, filled with many beautiful interactions and moments of prayer, silence, discussions and laughter.
Fr Pawel OP gave the opening talk for the day and focused on Mary as Mother of Hope. He explained that hope is not simply a theological virtue but a person, Jesus Christ himself. This is why we can be completely confident in the words of Paul in Romans 5:5 “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Hope is Jesus Christ, and Mary, as the mother of hope, will transform and educate us to also be children of hope. Fr Pawel went on to also give practical points on how we should persevere in prayer, trusting that the blessed Mother will intercede for us. God will listen to our prayers and grant what is best for us, he will always give us what we need and care for us like a Father. The talk culminated as Fr Pawel explained how each of the last three popes underlined the position of the blessed Mother and gifted the Church with a further understanding of her role and model in our everyday lives.
The opening talk was then followed by silent prayer, reflection and adoration before the blessed sacrament in the Family Hall. During this time Fr Pawel was also available for the sacrament of reconciliation. Holy Mass was next on the schedule and the votive mass of Mary Mother of Hope was used. Through the mass texts and readings, the important role that the blessed Mother plays in forming, educating and being our model of hope was again highlighted.
After lunch the participants were invited to bring all their personal petitions as well as petitions for the church and world forward as we prayed the rosary together lighting a candle for each Hail Mary and Our Father. This was not only visually beautiful but also spiritually as it connected each one of us in prayer.
Sr. M. Rita then summarised the day and provided insights on how the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate can be a way that leads us to become Pilgrims of Hope. She stressed that only by going back to the roots and the foundation of the initiative can we continue to move forward into the future with hope and joy.
Sr. M. Rita outlined that the three graces that we receive from the blessed Mother in the shrine, that is, of being at home, inner transformation and apostolic fruitfulness are also available from the pilgrim mother shrines. In fact, in the form of the pilgrim mother shrine the blessed Mother comes out of the shrine and goes to visit the people just as she visited her cousin Elizabeth. This is one of the biblical foundations of the initiatives which were discussed in the afternoon.
The day concluded with a devotion in the Shrine. The Shrine was completely full, with many people also standing outside as some other pilgrims joined in with the prayers. Despite the large number of people, a very deep and prayerful atmosphere was noticeable particularly when Agnes lit the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee candle. After benediction everyone received a tealight candle with a quote which summarised the day: “With hope and joy, confident in the victory, we go with Mary…” Fr. Joseph Kentenich.
Sr. M. Rita Baysari
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