St. John the Baptist Parish in Pushkin, Russia, holds an annual “Parish Vacation” for children. The event is designed to educate and entertain the children, bringing them closer to God. In 2026, the activities took place from May 26 to June 1, with a special theme: “Schoenstatt.” Twenty-eight children participated, under the care of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, parish volunteers, and some of the children’s parents.

Jubilee Year

The Sisters of Mary participate annually in organizing the Parish Vacation. In this jubilee year of the community, the parish priest, Fr. José Francisco Teixeira, proposed that the activities have “Schoenstatt” as their theme and asked the Sisters to give talks on the Movement’s spirituality.

These were some of the topics covered in the classes: What is Schoenstatt?, the Schoenstatt Shrine, the Covenant of Love, Fr. Joseph Kentenich, Sr. M. Emilie Engel, and the community of the Schoenstatt Sisters. In this way, children from different cities and parishes were able to learn about and become familiar with the Schoenstatt Movement.

As a memento of these activities, the children received images with the consecration prayer “My Queen, my Mother…” and a commemorative rosary, made by the Sisters for the centenary.

During the vacation, two MTA pilgrim images circulated among the children.

Reflecting on the vacation, Fr. José Francisco said: Remember these two phrases:

МPHC – Матерь позаботится обо всем совершено (Mater Perfectam Habebit Curam – The Mother of God will take perfect care of everything).

Servus Mariae nunqam peribit – Слуга Марии никогда не погибнет (A servant of Mary will never perish).

We hope that these days have shown the children how important communion with Mary is, as well as her maternal and educational care for us.