In a gesture of deep gratitude to God and a renewal of their mission, the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary from the two Brazilian provinces—Atibaia and Santa Maria—celebrated the centennial of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary with a special pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Aparecida.
The program began on Friday, July 3, with a Mass of sending forth for the 21 pilgrim sisters, who set out on foot toward the National Shrine of Brazil’s patroness. During the three-day pilgrimage, which covered 62 km, every step was offered in thanksgiving for the centennial, for vocations, for the sick sisters, and for all the intentions entrusted to the community.
For Sister M. Bruna Sturba Di Renzo of the Atibaia Province, the walk expressed the joy of celebrating a century of history that unites the two Brazilian provinces. She adds: “We carry with us all the sisters who cannot walk physically but accompany us spiritually. We also carry the intentions of all those who have entrusted their prayer requests to us, and we pray for vocations for the Sisters of Mary in the next century.”
National Unity, as One Family
Experiencing this for the first time, Sister M. Thálita de Oliveira, also from the Province of Atibaia, said she walked the path with an open heart, ready to welcome whatever God wishes to accomplish.
“I’m very excited. This is the first time I’ve taken this walk with the Sisters. We carry with us all the people who support us in our vocation. We are one big family. I simply want to let God surprise me and offer every step for those walking with us.”
The Sisters of the Tabor Province of Santa Maria also shared in the joy. Sister M. Wanessa Ferreira emphasized that the union of the two provinces further strengthens the Institute’s mission: “I am very happy that we are gathered as two Brazilian provinces. May all our hopes bear fruit for our family of Sisters and awaken many vocations.”
For Sister M. Driene V. da Silva, the jubilee marks a special moment of God’s action. “It is a time of many graces. I am certain it will be a beautiful experience, lived in unity, giving thanks for the centennial and praying for holy vocations for our family.”
Jubilee Celebration at the Shrine of Brazil’s Patroness
The highlight of the commemorations occurred on July 6, when the jubilee celebration at the National Shrine of Aparecida brought together not only the sisters who had made the pilgrimage on foot but also many others from the two Brazilian provinces, all participating in the Holy Mass of thanksgiving for the Institute’s 100th anniversary. In total, about 70 sisters attended.
Presided over by Bishop Sérgio Aparecido Colombo of the Diocese of Bragança Paulista, the celebration became a great gathering of communion among sisters of different generations, marked by gratitude, grateful remembrance, and a renewal of their missionary commitment.
In his homily, Bishop Sérgio recalled that the Institute of the Sisters of Mary, present on all five continents, remains a living sign of the Church’s universal mission. In reflecting on the legacy of Father Joseph Kentenich, he highlighted the importance of the feminine vocation in transforming society through prayer, self-giving, and fidelity to the Covenant of Love.
“As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Institute of the Sisters of Mary, we give thanks to God for so many consecrated lives that, throughout this century, have borne witness to the power of the Covenant of Love and have made the Schoenstatt Shrines places of hope, joy, and encounter with Christ through the intercession of Mary, Thrice Admirable.”
At the conclusion of the celebration, Monsignor Sérgio led a special prayer for the Sisters of Mary, asking that the jubilee renew the entire Institute’s missionary zeal.
Living in a spirit of gratitude, communion, and mission, the Sisters of Mary in Brazil marked their centennial, a milestone for the entire Schoenstatt Family. Beyond commemorating a century of history, the celebration renewed the commitment to continue proclaiming Christ through the Mother and Queen, bringing hope, welcome, and love to people, and trusting in God that vocations will abound in the next hundred years.
