In September 2025, the 75th anniversary of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate will be celebrated in Santa Maria, Brazil. Among the main events will be an academic meeting emphasizing research and studies on the life and work of the Servant of God João Luiz Pozzobon.

The JOÃO LUIZ POZZOBON INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS will occur on September 9 and 10. Four hundred fifty congress participants are expected to attend under the theme “In the footsteps of the Pilgrim: On the life and work of Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon.”

The lectures will be translated into Portuguese and Spanish (simultaneous texts and interactions).

The objectives of this Congress

The Congress continues reflecting on the mission and legacy of the Servant of God, Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon, in the context of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate.

It aligns with some academic events held in previous years: the 2005 Pastoral Theological Seminar in Santa Maria and the 2006 Pastoral Theological Symposium in Londrina, both in Brazil.

The objectives include:

To make known the Servant of God João Luiz Pozzobon and his Beatification Process.

Propose a theological reflection on the cause of beatification and its importance for the Church.

Analyze its historical aspects and impact on society from an interdisciplinary perspective.

This event will bring together the faithful and scholars to deepen their knowledge of the life and mission of the Servant of God João Pozzobon and his legacy, inspiring a greater commitment to evangelization and the call to holiness.

Who can participate?

The Congress is aimed at professors and students, researchers, Church leaders (priests, deacons, seminarians, consecrated life, laity), and the community in general.

Where will the congress be held?

At the Franciscan University of Santa Maria/RS – see location on the map

How do I participate?

Registration is open until September 1, 2025. Click on the button below to register and view prices:

There are 450 places in total, limited according to the venue’s capacity. A certificate of participation will be issued.

Presentation of academic papers

There is also the possibility of presenting academic papers linked to research and/or teaching and/or extension projects, with their partial or final results, related to João Luiz Pozzobon, in the areas of theology, pastoral care, history, tourism, communication, archival studies, museology, education, etc. More information is on the registration website.

Congress Program

September 09

8.00 am – Registration

8.30 am – Opening Ceremony and Opening Prayer

Leomar Brustolin (Archbishop of Santa Maria) – Ecclesiological context – “Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon, Vatican II, and the Church on the way out.”

10.30 am – Coffee break

11:00 am – Panel: – “Historical, social and cultural contexts of the life and work of João Luiz Pozzobon” – Dra. Maria Medianeira (UFSM)

• Dr. Marta Borin (UFSM)

1:30 pm – Communications (Researchers)

3:.30 pm – Cultural Moment

4:00 pm – Panel: “The Spirituality and Evangelizing Action of the Poor Pilgrim Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon”.

• Sister Maria da Graça Sales (Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary)
• Fr. Alexandre Awi Melo, ISch (International Presidency of the Schoenstatt Movement)

5:30 pm – End of Day 1

5: 45 pm – Holy Mass

September 10

8.30 a.m. – Opening prayer and inauguration of the second day

8:45 am – Panel: “Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon’s Fame of Holiness and Legacy”.

• Fr. Francisco Bianchin, SAC (last pastor of João Pozzobon)
• Ana Echevarria (Campa Expansión Internacional – Argentina)
• Humberto Pozzobon (son of João Pozzobon)
• Fr. Antônio Bracht, ISch (Vicepostulator and National Director of the Schoenstatt Movement – Brazil)
• M. Rosequiel Fávero (Coordinator of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate and in charge of the 75th Jubilee).

10:15 am – Coffee break

10:30 am – Cultural Moment

10:45 am – Final Lecture: Holiness, Cause of Beatification, and originality of Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon

• Melchor José Sanchez – Relator of the Cause – (Spain – Dicastery for the Causes of Saints)
• Dr. Silvia Correale – Postulator of the Cause – (Argentina)

12:00 pm – Closing and blessing of shipment

Congress organization and contact

The congress is organized by the Secretariat of the Cause of Beatification of João Luiz Pozzobon, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Santa Maria, the Franciscan University (UFN), the Pallottine College of Santa Maria (FAPAS) and the Graduate Program in Cultural Heritage of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM).

More information: +55 (55) 9 91949032 – Secretary of Pastoral João Luiz Pozzobon
Registration page and more information:
https://www.ufn.edu.br/eventos/maiseventos/Default.aspx?id=njFhAXJaKVw=#

Other events

In addition to this academic congress, an international Jubilee meeting will be held at the Tabor Shrine of Santa Maria from September 10 to 14. It will bring together members of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate from different countries. On September 14, a Spring Pilgrimage will take place in Santa Maria, open to all who wish to participate. For more information, click here.

Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías