The Tabor Shrine (Santa Maria, Brazil) woke up this Sunday with rose petals scattered everywhere. This is a tradition that has been repeated for more than 70 years in the month of September, but this time it was not only the flowers that attracted attention, but also the thousands of people from many countries who gathered to follow in the footsteps of Venerable Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon.

The last day of the International Congress of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, September 14, was crowned with the celebration of the Spring Pilgrimage. This pilgrimage, created by João Pozzobon, is repeated year after year, marking a day when many people bring flowers to the Blessed Mother.

Around the Shrine, some 5,000 people gathered in the morning on a Sunday that threatened rain. Although the first drops frightened the crowd, they soon stopped and, during the walk, the sun even came out. The procession began with a prayer at the Tabor Shrine and set off with prayers and songs until it reached the Basilica Shrine of Medianeira.

5,000 people for Holy Mass

For Sylvia Segu, from Chile, “this pilgrimage was the grand finale of the Jubilee.”

Holy Mass was celebrated outside the Basilica, in an open field. The Archbishop of Santa Maria, Leomar Brustolin, presided over the liturgy, with dozens of priests in attendance. The Holy Mass was broadcast live on open television in Brazil and Portugal by TV Canção Nova.

The Archbishop Brustolin began by saying that “25 countries are present here, people who have come from far away” and, therefore, “today we raise a praise for the 75 years of the Apostolate, born from the burning heart of Deacon João Pozzobon.” In his homily, the archbishop continues by saying that the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate is the visitation of Mary that continues in our days, the Mother who crosses mountains, enters every home, and makes the human heart a Living Shrine.”

The liturgy also celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. “The cross is the grammar of God’s love,” says the archbishop. He also recalls Pozzobon’s life as an example of how to embrace the cross: “In Schoenstatt, we call Mary Mother and Educator, Pilgrim who visits homes and, with each visit, brings with her the memory of the cross. To carry Mary is to carry, first and foremost, Jesus. Our beloved deacon, Venerable João Luiz Pozzobon, who traveled for decades carrying the image of the Pilgrim Mother, bringing God’s blessings, is part of this spirituality. It was not easy. Pozzobon’s testimony invites us to carry her along the paths of life, transforming her into a gesture of service, charity, and proclamation.”

Borrowing the Unity Cross from a woman from Colombia, the archbishop shows it to everyone and says that we do not know what crosses we will have to bear in life, but that we must trust in the Lord.

Sent forth with new zeal

Sylvia Segu comments: “The archbishop’s homily was wonderful, linking João Pozzobon and Schoenstatt to the cross. The sending forth challenges us to continue Mr. João’s mission, since we have great difficulties in our region, but knowing the places where he lived gives us new zeal to continue the mission.”

At the end of the celebration, there was the blessing of the seeds, which was a custom started by João Pozzobon, asking for fertile land and a good harvest for everyone in the region. As a sign of these seeds, Archbishop Brustolin also asked everyone to pray for their parish priests.

João Pozzobon’s children said a few words at the end of the Mass: Humberto, Petrolina, and Vilma were moved by the crowd celebrating and giving thanks for their father’s life.

Mrs. Teresita Inés Rodríguez, from Argentina, comments: “What I liked most about these days of the Congress was learning about the life of Mr. João, from the experience in his home and in the places where he walked; seeing the house where he was born and the hills that surrounded and inspired him, the simplicity of his home. Because, no matter how much we have read and seen videos about Mr. João’s life, it is not the same as having that personal contact with his family, with his children, the human warmth. This Congress was truly a gift from the Mother, a blessing. In my particular case, I really enjoyed being here, and it opened up paths for me to spread the word to other people where I come from (San Juan, Argentina).”

Consensus document

Some time ago, countries were able to contribute to the creation of an international consensus document for the Apostolate. During the Congress, a group with two representatives from each country has been working on this material. The work has progressed significantly in recent days. The working style employs a synodal model, allowing everyone to be heard. For now, the document is not finished, and the group will continue to meet online. In the future, we will provide more information on the progress of this work.

Farewells and much emotion

The farewell to the Congress took place during lunch at the Marian Center. These were days of great emotion, crowned by the spirit of Family. A large cake was placed in the center of the tables, and the children of Pozzobon were able to accompany the song of celebration. Thus concluded the very special days of encounter that brought together 25 nations and showed the missionary, lively, and enthusiastic face of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, present in so many parts of the world.

Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías