This year, we have the chance to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence in several of our Schoenstatt Shrines in the USA. This has sparked excitement and spiritual renewal. But due to the vast size of the country, we can only visit one shrine at a time. In fact, that is how the custodians of our shrines found out about their designation as jubilee sites: one shrine at a time.
First to be notified were our custodians of the Light and Way to the Merciful Father Shrine, in Miami. Carlos Pulido, the Diocesan Coordinator, shared that already in November 2024, they were informed about this blessing not only because of the Jubilee Year but also as they celebrate 15 years of the shrine. The MTA is a quinceañera in December 2025. The shrine’s pastoral team, made up of 15 Schoenstatt couples, actively organizes events for pilgrims, including confessions, rosaries, talks on the movement and the founder, and information about the Jubilee Year. Carlos emphasized that the shrine is very well visited by pilgrims.
The bishops’ recognition
Next, in New York, Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne presented the Sisters of Mary with a letter from the Vicar General on December 3, informing them that Cardinal Dolan had designated the Shrine of Light a pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year of Hope. Since this announcement, Sr. M. Veronica Muñiz says that “a continuous stream of visitors comes to the shrine.”
Lamar Shrine (left) and Sleep Eye Shrine (right)
The Sisters in Texas also received a surprise in November 2024 when at a dinner event where Bishop Michael Mulvey gave his year-end address, the Sisters learned of this blessing. Sr. M. Jessica Swedzinski shared how the Confidentia Shrine in Lamar was designated one of six pilgrimage sites in the Corpus Christi diocese. With the help of a retired priest, they have been able to offer monthly reflection days on hope, advertising with the help of the radio stations and websites from the local media parishes. A steady flow of pilgrims seeking information on how to receive the Jubilee Indulgence approaches the shrine each day.
In Wisconsin, two of shrines closely connected with the history of our founder’s exile were also designated pilgrimage sites. Shortly after Christmas, a small group of Schoenstatt Sisters learned of the designation of the International Shrine of the Father Kingdom in Waukesha while attending a Mass for the up-to-then Archbishop Listecki. Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, the new archbishop, highlighted the importance of strengthening marriages and supporting grieving families in the Jubilee Year. At the International Schoenstatt Center, additional confession times and weekday Masses are offered, alongside pilgrimages from parishes and schools.
A total of seven Shrines have been named places of pilgrimage
A couple of weeks later, the Sisters in Madison received a pleasant surprise when they were informed that the Founder Shrine had also been designated. The Diocese of Madison is encouraging the faithful to visit all six pilgrimage sites in the area using materials to facilitate the visits. A table is found in the back of the shrine with brochures, passport booklets, and stamps for the pilgrims—all provided by the diocese.
Left: Madison Shrine. Right: Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne in the Shrine of Light in New York.
In Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, Bishop Chad Zielinski designated the Jubilee Family Shrine as one of the diocesan pilgrimage sites. Sr. M. Candace Fier, Director of the Office of Family Life for the Diocese of New Ulm, was pleasantly surprised when she met with the bishop after the New Year’s holiday. Bishop Zielinski remarked, “I announced it at Mass and even preached about the shrine in my homily.” At Schoenstatt on the Lake pilgrims can find postcards with information about the indulgence in connection with the three graces, participate in the rosary on Wednesdays or in retreats on hope.
In February 2025, as the leaders of the Schoenstatt Family in Nebraska joined Bishop James Conley of Lincoln for Mass and breakfast, they received the exciting news that the Cor Mariae Shrine in Crete had been designated as a pilgrimage site. Overjoyed the leaders have begun to share the news with the Schoenstatt Family.
Left: Nebraska Shrine. Right: Waukesha Shrine
In the USA, seven out of ten shrines have been identified as jubilee sites. Precisely when the signs of the times give us confusing messages it’s difficult to understand in which direction the world is moving. More aware of these beacons of hope, we have the conviction that Jesus is showing us the way. He is giving us the chance to reconnect with him and the Jubilee Indulgence is a great opportunity. What a wonderful chance, now, in these times of uncertainty! Being so familiar with the practice of bringing good works, sacrifices, and petitions in pilgrimage to a place of grace, we take to heart the invitation of the Holy Father. The mission of the Church, of which we are its bearers, beckons us to become instruments of peace, true pilgrims of hope, leading others to encounter God, by inviting people to come and seek grace—one shrine at a time.
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