On Saturday morning, October 11, at the International Shrine in Belmonte (Rome), the meeting and celebration of the Jubilee of the Apostolate of the Pilgrim Mother took place, marking the 75th anniversary of this apostolate and the 25th anniversary of its presence in Italy. Representatives from various Italian regions attended in an atmosphere of joy, gratitude, and communion.

The Meeting in Belmonte

Sister M. Julia de Almeida, national moderator of the Apostolate of the Pilgrim Mother, participated in the jubilee celebrations in Brazil and shared her experiences with all those present at the international meeting. The focus of reflection was the figure of João Pozzobon, a servant chosen by God to begin the fruitful mission of the Pilgrim Mother.

His life, dedicated to the Mother of God and to others, is a testimony of faith and apostolic dedication to the service of individuals and families. During the gathering, missionaries Paola and Francesco Mennillo from Rome offered their testimony on how the Pilgrim Mother has accompanied them in the challenges and joys of family life. It was an emotional moment of sharing that those present greatly appreciated.

The meeting concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a pilgrimage to the shrine, during which each missionary renewed their apostolic commitment. A missionary from the Diocese of Latina sealed his Covenant of Love by surprise, and all the missionaries of the Apostolate present joined him in renewing it.

Marian Vigil in St. Peter’s Square

On Saturday evening, Pope Leo XIV presided over the Prayer Vigil for Peace in St. Peter’s Square. In profound silence, amid songs and prayers, the Holy Father invited pilgrims to see the world through the eyes of a child, to purify their hearts, and to become artisans of peace in their daily lives.

Together with Mary, the Church prayed for the gift of reconciliation and hope, remembering that actual disarmament begins in the heart. In the heart of Rome, the Church renewed its trust in Mary, the woman of “yes,” who continues to lead her children to Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Sunday: Closing Holy Mass and meeting with the Holy Father

On Sunday morning, October 12, the closing Mass of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality was celebrated. Before the celebration, Sister M. Julia de Almeida and Father Pablo Pérez, director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Italy, had the opportunity to greet Pope Leo XIV personally. This brief but intense encounter took place before Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica.

“It was a very sober encounter,” says Father Pablo with a smile. “I greeted the Holy Father and gave him a unity cross. I told him that this cross is the most beautiful symbol we have. The Pope smiled and replied, ‘Thank you.’ Then I asked for his blessing and entrusted some intentions to him. It was a simple but significant moment, a sign of communion with the Church and with the Pope.”

Sister M. Julia also brought an image of the Pilgrim Mother, which was crowned by the Pope (more information in this article).

Numerous pilgrims, Marian movements, confraternities, communities, and devotional groups from around the world were present at the final Mass. The Schoenstatt Movement was present with groups from all over Italy and with a group of 80 people from Germany who participated in the Jubilee. The original image of Our Lady of Fatima, brought especially from Portugal, occupied a central place in the celebration and attracted the attention and devotion of the faithful.

In his homily, the Holy Father recalled that “Marian spirituality, which nourishes our faith, has Jesus at its center.” He invited everyone to follow Mary’s path, which leads to an encounter with every human being, especially the poor, the wounded, and sinners. In his brief Angelus address, he again called for peace and recalled the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, urging dialogue, fraternity, and hope.

This celebration symbolically concluded the jubilee cycle, not as an ending, but as a new beginning. It is an invitation to live the Marian style of Christian life with renewed enthusiasm and to allow ourselves to be formed by Mary to be witnesses of hope in the world.