17 April 2023 · 2023-04 newsletter
Corpus Christi Parish, St Ives.
On Saturday 11 March 2023, Pilgrim Mother Apostolate (PMA) members and guests celebrated the renewal of the crowning of the Pilgrim Mother at Corpus Christi Parish, St Ives.
Our Parish Priest, Father Greg Chee blessed the images. Sister Luisa Maria Fabre, PMA Coordinator for NSW, and Edna Aldana, Regional Coordinator in Rydalmere, also attended the celebration.
Sister spoke about the significance of the first crowning including the Capital of Grace and the graces received when the Pilgrim Mother visits our homes.
The first crowning of Our Lady in the Original Shrine in Schoenstatt, Germany was on 10 December 1939. When Hitler was in power during World War 11, Schoenstatt was in grave danger. Father Joseph Kentenich, the founder joined by the whole Schoenstatt family crowned the picture of the Blessed Mother in the Original Shrine under the title – Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen of Schoenstatt! He entrusted the Schoenstatt Movement including the place of the Original Shrine to her care and protection. Bombs fell around Schoenstatt, but the Shrine remained untouched.
Fr Joseph Kentenich said: ‘Whenever you experience difficulties, crown the Blessed Mother’. The crowning is a sign of acknowledging our powerlessness and trust in the power of Mother Mary. We crown and ask her to reign over us as we acknowledge her greatness, her love and motherly care. The crowning not only symbolises an urgent petition, but also thanksgiving and self-surrender.
The Pilgrim Mother was crowned in 2019 by St Ives members and given the title – ‘Mother full of love, compassion and Queen of our homes”. At the time, members assured the Blessed Mother that they would bring their offerings and sacrifices to her Capital of Grace. Their petition to her was – In the name of the Triune God protect and lead your family with power and endless motherly love.
What is meant by the Capital or Treasury of Grace?
We offer our prayers, joys and sorrows to Our Lady and she will intercede and distribute graces in return. The Schoenstatt motto is Nothing without you, Nothing without us! Our Lady needs our cooperation for the salvation of everyone. Our role is to help Her bring Christ anew to the world.
Graces received when the Pilgrim Mother visits our homes.
The Mother Thrice Admirable brings graces to our homes from the shrine.
- The grace of a home – She brings us the grace of a home. In her we feel at home but also in the heart of Jesus. In her presence we feel accepted and loved. We are not alone. She remains with us, and she gives us the gift of her Son.
- The grace of inner transformation – Our Lady teaches us to be like her. She forms Jesus in us that we may be Christ-like. She teaches us to love God and love our neighbour. She teaches us to accept God’s will even in suffering.
- The grace of apostolic fruitfulness or mission zeal – She gives us the grace to share the message of God’s love with everyone we meet. We become evangelisers sharing with others what we experience when she visits our homes. In this way we become her witnesses in words and actions.
Sister Luisa Maria’s talk was followed by afternoon tea. Members had the opportunity to speak to her and mix with others. They shared stories about the blessings the Pilgrim Mother brings to their families every time she visits their homes. Everyone wants to evangelize and encourage other parishioners to join the Pilgrim Mother Circle.
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