For the past six months, Fr. Afonso Mucane, a Mozambican priest, has been on mission and engaged in apostolic work in Brazil. He accompanied communities in the city of Indaiatuba, in the state of São Paulo. During this time, Fr. Afonso had contact with missionaries and families participating in the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, something that he considered an extraordinary experience.
At the end of his mission period, the diocesan priest decided that it would be important to take the Pilgrim Mother to his homeland in Africa. So, he was sent with an image of the MTA to his native community, the parish of St. Ignatius of Loyola, in the Diocese of Tete, Pastoral Region of Songo, in Mozambique.
Farewell and sending on mission
Father Afonso’s farewell and the sending forth of the Pilgrim Mother took place during Ash Wednesday Mass on February 14, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Indaiatuba.
The celebration was attended by the coordinators, missionaries, and families of the Apostolate. Overjoyed, he explained that he decided to take the image after participating in the activities of the Schoenstatt Movement in the parish. “Something happened,” he said. “In those days and in the last encounter (in the Holy Mass with the renewal of the Covenant of Love), I felt the desire to take this image, to share it with the people, with the families.”
And he continued: “We Mozambicans love to pray. I believe that the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate will bring a great renewal for the families. I was sent to Mozambique to announce this Good News. Wherever I am, I will always share this experience”.
Schoenstatt in Mozambique
The Pilgrim MTA’s have already been sent to Mozambique. In Fr. Afonso’s hometown, this will mark the beginning of the Apostolate.
A few years ago, in 2019, some Brazilian men also started the Mother and Queen Men’s Rosary groups in the city of Tete, in the parish of St. Joseph. The MTA is gradually conquering hearts and the Schoenstatt spirituality is gaining strength in this region of Mozambique.
Worldwide spirit
The Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, which began in Brazil, has spread throughout the world. The MTA does not find barriers to reach those who need her most. Wherever they go, the Blessed Mother and her son carry the graces of the Shrine, transforming homes and welcoming people. It is an evangelization initiative that has reached every continent on the planet and will soon celebrate its 75th anniversary.
Source: maeperegrina.org.br
