The Schoenstatt Shrine in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain, was the starting point for an emotional joint celebration of Corpus Christi on June 22, which brought together the six parishes of the municipality for the Jubilee of Hope. The event drew around 1,000 people from various parish communities, who walked together in unity of faith. The choice of the Shrine as the starting point of the procession was welcomed with deep joy by the local Schoenstatt Family, who saw in this an opportunity to serve, like Mary, and to generously open the doors of our Blessed Mother’s House.
Everything was lovingly and carefully prepared to receive the pilgrims. The Shrine and its esplanade were transformed into a sacred space of fraternal communion. As a concrete expression of faith and beauty, the Schoenstatt Family also came together to create, for the first time at the Shrine, a colorful and traditional Corpus Christi carpet — a gesture present in many regions of the Catholic world. The initiative sparked the curiosity of many children, who followed its creation with enthusiasm. In the end, they were invited to leave the prints of their small hands on the carpet: a simple and moving gesture, preparing the path on which the Eucharistic Jesus would pass, marking the start of the procession through the city.
The Schoenstatt Family lived its mission to be the “Heart of the Church”
The Shrine was decorated with beauty, simplicity, and a spirit of prayer, ready to welcome all who came for Holy Mass — especially the children, dressed in their First Communion attire, who were given a place of honor and participated with great devotion, expressing through simple gestures their purity and faith in the Eucharistic Jesus.
The celebration of Holy Mass began on a festive, sunny afternoon, marked by a deep sense of communion. The presence of Mary was especially felt as the one who unites everyone and prepares the way for her Son. The Schoenstatt Family lived its mission to be the “Heart of the Church” through service, hospitality, and joyful welcome.
The procession with the Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by a band
Right after the Eucharist, the procession with the Blessed Sacrament passed through streets named after great pontiffs such as Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II, accompanied by a band and passing by beautiful monuments prepared by each parish. The solemn rhythm of the music accompanied the faithful on their walk, creating an atmosphere of prayer, reverence, and celebration. The route concluded with a moment of adoration near Juan XXIII Avenue, where, in a festive spirit, the faithful and their pastors celebrated this moment of special grace for the town.
This celebration was more than just a religious event: it was a genuine expression of communion and shared mission. For the Schoenstatt Family, it was a concrete opportunity to live the Covenant of Love in an apostolic way, serving the local Church with a Marian spirit.
With gratitude and hearts full of hope, everyone expressed the desire for this experience to be repeated next year, as a sign of a living Church, walking united with the Eucharistic Christ, under the loving gaze of Mary.
Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías