Pentecost was a day of great joy for the members of the International Coordination of the Schoenstatt Movement. Father Arkadiusz Sosna and Sr. M. Cacilda Becker met with the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, in Rome. The meeting took place before the Pentecost Mass on June 8 in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The meeting took place on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Movements. Two great moments were experienced in Rome that weekend: the Vigil of Pentecost on Saturday evening, June 7, and the Holy Mass of Pentecost the following day, presided by the Pope.

The Pilgrim Mother as a gift to the Pope

More than 150 Catholic movements were represented at the Jubilee celebrations. 20 international movements, among them Schoenstatt, were mentioned at the beginning of the vigil. Two representatives of these 20 movements were invited to meet with the Holy Father, including members of the International Schoenstatt Coordination.

Sr. M. Cacilda Becker explains: “The moment when we were able to introduce ourselves and speak with the Holy Father was brief, but very profound. We greeted him. We had two small, simple gifts, but with significant meaning. We spoke in Spanish. I gave him a small picture of the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother and told him that we, members of the Schoenstatt Movement, were very happy about his election and that we keep him very much in our prayers. He thanked me several times. I told him about the effectiveness and blessings of this initiative, which is present in many countries, connecting millions of people through its regular home visits. I also mentioned to him the Jubilee of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate this year. He listened to everything with great attention and kept repeating: ‘Muchas gracias’ (Thank you very much).”

The meeting took place at the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica, near the chapel where the Pietà is housed. Sr. M. Cacilda commented: “For me it was an unexpected and very great gift, but I think it was also for the entire Schoenstatt Movement, because at the end he gave a blessing to all the members of the Schoenstatt Movement.”

A book with the reflections of Fr. Joseph Kentenich

For Fr. Arkadiusz Sosna, the moments leading up to the meeting were ones of great expectation, as he relates:

“It was late on Friday night when I received the news that there would be the opportunity to meet the Holy Father. The night was short, but the thoughts were many. On Saturday, I organized a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Square from the parish of the Schoenstatt Fathers in Trastevere. As we went on pilgrimage, I thought about what would happen on Sunday.
In my heart, filled with gratitude for the gift of this encounter, I had thoughts and intentions that I wanted to share with the Holy Father. I thought of the renovated Bellavista Shrine, of the spiritual passage of the Schoenstatt Family in Germany, of the new Shrines in Argentina and Brazil, of the immense India and Africa. With these thoughts, I prepared myself internally for the meeting with the Pope. The closer he came, the more at peace my heart and soul became.

The appearance of the Pope, who was waiting for our meeting, was fascinating. I had the feeling that he was waiting, receiving, understanding, and embracing everything that was being said. Listening to every word, with a gentle smile on his face, strengthened my hope and filled my heart with inner peace. I was able to ask for a blessing for our international Family.

Shortly before this meeting, we managed to prepare simple but symbolic gifts for the Holy Father.

I gave the Pope the book of Dr. Peter Wolf: “Pilgrims of Hope – Texts of Father Kentenich on the motto of the Holy Year“. In this way, the newly elected Pope received Father Kentenich’s thoughts.

A little anecdote: In the evening in Belmonte, when I was talking to Dr. Wolf about the meeting with the Pope, he said to me, “What a wonderful coincidence – I was looking for an opportunity to give this book to the Pope as a gift.” And so the opportunity arose.

In this way, Father Kentenich’s thoughts and a picture of the MTA found their way into the hands of the Holy Father.”

What is the International Schoenstatt Coordination?

The International Coordination Office, created by the General Presidium, is responsible for operational tasks at the service of cooperation and inspiration for the promotion of the common apostolate of the Apostolic Movement.

Its main tasks are related to communication, coordination, and representation: see more details by clicking here.

Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías