Memorial service
in the Adoration Church on Mount Schoenstatt
During these days, the Schoenstatt Family, together with the entire Church, is mourning the death of Pope Francis. We also expressed our gratitude as a Movement in Schoenstatt on April 28, 2025, during a Mass in memory of the Pope. The importance of this celebration for all communities was evident from the large number of participants and concelebrants.
Dilexit Ecclesiam
The crown, which occupied a place of honor in front of the altar, is an eloquent symbol of Schoenstatt’s mission for the Church and will travel through the Schoenstatt communities in the coming weeks. With this crown, the Mother of God will be crowned Regina Matri Ecclesiae in the Belmonte Shrine on Pentecost.
The liturgy of the Mass recalled both the date of Pope Francis’ death and his hopeful faith in the resurrection, which he expressed in his Easter message. In this context, the songs performed by Sister M. Tabea Platzer and her choir “Stimmvoll” (Strong Voice) contributed to creating an Easter atmosphere.
Expressive signs
During the homily, Dr. Biberger first recalled Pope Francis’ last message, through which Divine Providence, so to speak, stamped its seal on his work. His words become a lasting legacy and a mission for us. The fact that Pope Francis was called back during the Holy Year can be seen as an additional significant sign.
Highlights of Pope Francis’ pontificate
Dr. Biberger then invited everyone to reflect on Pope Francis’ pontificate, singling out three noteworthy aspects:
The first of these was Pope Francis’ visit to the refugees in Lampedusa. At the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis sent a strong message calling attention to the situation of refugees around the world. He never ceased to highlight the poor and marginalized through encyclicals and speeches, urging everyone to attend to their needs. For this reason, in 2016 he called for an Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.
Another highlight was the Urbi et Orbi blessing that Pope Francis gave during the coronavirus pandemic. It was impressive to see Pope Francis walk alone to the altar in St. Peter’s Square, proclaim his message, and bless the city and the entire world.
Another highlight was the synodal process. With it, Pope Francis has given a significant boost to the development of the image of the Church today. His goal is for the Church to be a Church that listens: a Church that listens to the Holy Spirit and a Church of faithful who listen to one another in order to recognize the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis made it clear that this synodal process must continue.
When we, as Schoenstatt Family, look at Pope Francis’ pontificate, we also remember our encounter with him during Schoenstatt’s centenary on October 25, 2014. On that occasion, he spoke about five topics: family, pedagogy, youth, society, and the Church. Among other things, he emphasized that the culture of encounter is the culture of the covenant. At the end, the Pope disclosed that he had a picture of the MTA on his bedside table and that he touched it every morning. This bears witness to his great love of Mary, which has always been evident in his speeches and writings and is particularly evident in his desire to rest eternally in the Church of St. Mary Major.
Pope Francis’ work received a well-deserved tribute during the Eucharistic celebration, in which he was entrusted to the intercession of the Mother of God and the Holy Trinity.
Marian charism for the Church
Before the final blessing, Fr. Alexandre once again highlighted Pope Francis’ moving Marian devotion. He invited those present to pray the Little Consecration and to ask that the future pope may also be Marian and that we may bring our Marian charism to the Church.