Along the dusty road of devotion, silent footsteps and hearts firm in faith and hope marked a new edition of the Pilgrimage of the Mother and Queen, celebrated in Mauriti, Ceará (Brazil). For 25 years, the tradition of pilgrimage to the Schoenstatt Parish Shrine has resounded along the paths of popular piety, bringing together pilgrims and devotees who, amid songs and prayers, find comfort in the tender gaze of the Mother, Queen and Victorious Three Times Admirable of Schoenstatt.
“Through this small Shrine, God has worked wonders in the lives of many people. These 25 years of pilgrimage are also 25 years of witness to the faith and perseverance of hundreds of people who have given their lives to Christ through the Schoenstatt Movement,” says Deacon Francisco Alves de Souza, who coordinates the Parish Shrine in the city of Mauriti. Alongside him, 43 teams of volunteers are working on the organization of the event, bringing the total number of people directly involved in the general organization of the pilgrimage to more than three hundred.
Parish Shrine, a point of reference and place of grace
Among the various types of Schoenstatt Shrines in Brazil and in some other countries, there are “Parish Shrines.”
They are built within parishes or in external spaces linked to them. Due to the distance that separates them from the Filial Shrines, many Schoenstatters are related to the Parish Shrines, where they gather to renew the Covenant of Love. Usually, these Shrines have the image of the MTA and the vase for offerings to the Capital of Grace.
They are only considered a “Shrine” as long as they remain united to the source, that is, to the Filial Shrine and, consequently, to the Original Shrine, and if there are people who are seriously committed to living the Covenant of Love around them.
A pilgrimage of hope
On July 18, pilgrims began arriving at the Mauriti Parish Shrine in the early hours of the morning, after walking through different towns in the municipality.
In the evening, the pilgrims gathered at the Shrine to welcome the diocesan bishop, Magnus Henrique Lopes, who presided over the closing Mass of the 25th pilgrimage. With gratitude, and after closing another festive season with renewed faith and hearts full of hope, the celebration brought to an end the five Masses that had been celebrated throughout the day to allow all the devotees to participate.
The bishop Lopes reflected on the profound meaning of this moment of faith for those present. “The pilgrimage is always a journey, a journey to a sacred place, a holy place that is in people’s hearts and is a place of prayer and encounter with God. In this year in which the Church celebrates the Jubilee of Hope, this journey also consists of looking to Jesus Christ as the hope of our lives. This is the Pilgrimage of Hope, which leads us to Our Lady, and Our Lady presents us to her Son,” he said.
The bishop also highlighted Mary’s “yes” to God as the beginning of salvation and emphasized her maternal mission of presenting us to her Son: “We come to celebrate the Mother and Queen, Our Lady, precisely for this reason: so that she may lead us to her Son Jesus. This is a very special day. We have come here to praise and give thanks to God for this Mother and this Queen. We are part of her kingdom. With our weaknesses, she welcomes us, loves us, and presents us to her Son Jesus.”
The view of the public authorities
Given the importance that the pilgrimage has acquired at the state level, parliamentary amendments have guaranteed investments so that the area surrounding the Shrine can adequately accommodate pilgrims. This year, for example, was the first pilgrimage with paved access to the Shrine, and there are two other amendments in the works to pave the courtyard surrounding the prayer areas, in addition to other investments in local infrastructure.
By Pastoral Communications
Parish of Our Lady of the Conception
Mauriti (CE)
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