Join Us in Praying for Vocations
We ask you to join the Schoenstatt community in praying for an increase in those answering the call to priesthood, religious life, and consecrated life among the Schoenstatt Movement, our Archdiocese, and in the world.
Recently the Schoenstatt Movement in Wisconsin published a newsletter highlighting their seminarians and postulants. We would like to share it with you here to help put faces and names to some of the individuals who need our prayers and support.
Our five seminarians Josh Parker, Hector Islas, Rodrigo Fernandez, Julian Salas and Alexander Chunda have been studying this year in Santiago, Chile. After Josh, Hector and Rodrigo’s pastoral internships, they are happy to be on the ground and working through theology. They then will have roughly two years left before their final exams. Julian and Alex are plugging away at philosophy and have about three semesters until their pastoral internship, which has them at seven years or so away from their final exams. Please keep praying for them all!
We are also excited to have some men beginning the long trail into our community. We have two postulants, Emilio Oliva and Mauricio Canales. Emilio is from Weslaco, Texas and has been studying at the University of Texas in Austin. Mauricio is from Laredo, Texas, graduated from UT Austin in 2020 and has been working in Austin for the last years. They [went] to Argentina in January to begin their official postulancy with about 18 other men from six other countries before moving to Paraguay in March to begin in March their novitiate. Thank you for your prayers and continued support!
We entrust these young men to God's guidance, and we ask for them the grace and courage they need to respond to God’s call.
A Prayer for Vocations (USCCB)
O God, Father of all Mercies,
Provider of a bountiful Harvest,
send Your Graces upon those
You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor;
preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.
Open the hearts of Your children
that they may discern Your Holy Will;
inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves
to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.
Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life
guided by Your Divine Word and Truth.
Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
all the Angels, and Saints, humbly hear our prayers
and grant Your Church's needs, through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Blooming Hearts for Blessed Mother: Spring Clean-Up at Mount Schoenstatt
It was a beautiful Saturday morning on March 29 when the small group of volunteers began arriving at Mount Schoenstatt, the peaceful shrine nestled in the Texas Hill Country. The sun had just started to peek through the trees, casting a golden glow over the quiet paths still shaking off winter’s dead branch whispers. Though the air was cool from much needed rain, the mood was warm—alive with the energy of purpose.
Spring Clean-Up Day, organized and led by Alfredo Garcia, Vice Chair of the Schoenstatt Movement of San Antonio Board of Directors, had arrived, and with it, a small army of hearts for Mary ready to serve.
Gloves pulled tight, our group of men stood ready to give back to a place that had given so much to them. Mount Schoenstatt, known not only for its natural beauty but also for being a place of reflection and deep spiritual connection, has become a second home to many. The clean-up wasn’t just about tidying up. It was about showing love—for the land, the community, and Blessed Mother.
By mid-morning, the air buzzed with laughter—and sweat! One group of men filled the dumpster with dead branches, clippings and debris that had been unsightly for some time. Another group of men clipped the overgrown trees that line the driveway to make way for more scratch free parking for vehicles. Finally, a group of ladies found the most interesting items as they reorganized the shed for better storage and retrieval of needed items.
What made this day special wasn’t just the hard work—it was the spirit behind it. Mount Schoenstatt had been transformed. The shrine stood even more radiant, surrounded by freshly trimmed trees and paths cleared for prayerful walks.
Visiting pilgrims that day were captured by the ‘beautiful place” and the positive energy rolling off the volunteers filled with joy and love for Blessed Mother.
But that was not the end of giving to our Mother Thrice Admirable. Later in the month, another set of volunteers joined together to help complete clearing the higher pathway and help repair Stations of the Cross (see Family Branch Update in this newsletter).
“You know the old saying,” says Alfredo Garcia. “‘It takes a village to grow and teach a child.’ Well, it takes a community of people like you all to take care of our MTA. We have great members that do that very well, and I'm humbled to be part of this village.”
This Lenten season was not just about cleaning up. We know the Blessed Mother was with us —guiding our hands, lifting our spirits, and filling Mount Schoenstatt with her gentle love. All the trimming, brush clearing and paths improved felt like her way of preparing a place of peace for all who come here.
A huge thank you to all those volunteers that helped. It was a success—not just in tasks accomplished, but in love shared for this place of grace. Get ready and join us for our next one this Fall.
Maintaining the property is a work in progress. We have been clipping the trees up the driveway from the entrance gates and will be scheduling another day to bring the dumpster back to Mount Schoenstatt.
Family Branch
Friends of the Family Branch Lend a Helping Hand/Amigos de La Rama de Familia Echan Una Mano
By Jessica Matute & Rene Gabino
We would like to share with you the joy of having been able to have the help of hour very kind people who offered to help clean the path uphill to the Stations of the Cross/Via Crucis at Mount Schoenstatt. These very generous helpers even brought wood and tools to repair and paint the stations, cut branches, and assemble four new benches! We enjoyed working together with them.
Limpieza y Arreglos en el Camino del Vía Crucis
El sábado anterior a la Semana Santa, unos voluntarios de gran corazón vinieron a realizar una limpieza y reparaciones en el camino del Vía Crucis en nuestro Santuario. Ellos vinieron con mucho cariño a trabajar durante todo el día limpiando la maleza, cortando ramas, pintando y colocando las estaciones del Via Crucis de mejor manera para que sea de mejor acceso para todos. Trajeron materiales y armaron unas hermosas bancas nuevas para que podamos sentarnos a conversar con nuestra Madre del Cielo.
¡Les damos las eternas gracias y rezamos por ustedes para que Dios y nuestra Madre siempre los cuide y proteja a ustedes y sus familias!
Cleaning and Repairs of the Stations of the Cross Trail
On the Saturday before Holy Week, some big-hearted volunteers came to help clean and repair the Stations of the Cross path at Mount Schoenstatt. They came with great affection to work throughout the day clearing the brush, cutting branches, painting and placing the Stations of the Cross in a way that is more accessible to everyone. The volunteers brought materials and put together some beautiful new benches so that we can sit and talk with our Mother in Heaven.
We give you eternal thanks for all you did, and we pray for you so that God and our Mother will always take care of you and protect you and your families!
SPMA Update
Easter Message from Father Hugo Tagle
Dear Friends,
Happy Easter! Christ is Risen – Alleluia!
May the light of the Risen Lord fill your heart with joy, renew your hope, and strengthen your faith. Christ is risen, and with Him, hope is reborn. Darkness does not have the final word Every wound can be healed, every sorrow transformed, every death gives way to new life.
Let us live as people of the Resurrection: with joy, with faith, with deep certainty that love always triumphs.
May the Mother of the risen Lord bless you!
Father Hugo Tagle
S
PMA Welcome New Missionaries
SPMA coordinated the first Saturday Mass for the month of April on Apr. 5, which was celebrated by Father Rex Anthony (SPMA Moderator).
Missionaries and SPMA team members Pamela Raines and Elsa del Fiero led the Holy Rosary and read the readings. The gifts were presented and taken to the altar by Jose & Cindy Trevino, SPMA treasurer. The sacristan was Virginia Gallegos, and music was provided by Rick & Kate Otto and Frances Zunker, SPMA Diocesan Coordinator.
After Mass, Fr. Rex commissioned the following Missionaries:
- Laura Martinez of St. Jerome was commissioned for the upcoming Spanish Acts Retreat in August
- Maria (Tia Chayo) Del Rosario of St. Ann (La Vernia)
We were blessed to have several missionaries and receivers in attendance as well as parishioners from St. John Neumann (San Antonio) and St. Ann (La Vernia).
For information on becoming an SPMA Missionary, contact Frances Zunker at (210) 380-3295.
Monthly João Pozzobon Rosary at Cor Unum in Patre Shrine
SPMA team members and Missionaries continue to gather on the 27th of each month at 11:30 am at Cor Unum in Patre Shrine to pray the rosary for the beatification of Deacon João Pozzobon.
If you are interested in joining SPMA in praying for the canonization of João Pozzobon and would like a prayer card or a copy of the João Pozzobon Meditated Rosary, contact Frances Zunker, SPMA Diocesan Coordinator, at (210) 380-3295.
Reminder: Schoenstatt Holy Hour Every 2nd Wednesday at St. Jerome’s
Every second Wednesday of the month, St. Jerome Catholic Church is dedicating its weekly Holy Hour and Rosary to our Mother Thrice Admirable.
Every 2nd Wednesday (unless it falls on the 13th)
St. Jerome Catholic Church
7955 Real Rd, San Antonio, TX 78263
Adoration Chapel | 6 pm-7 pm
Upcoming dates include May 14, June 11, July 9 and August 14. SPMA missionaries and receivers are invited to bring their pilgrim shrines.
For more information, contact Frances Zunker at (210) 380-3295 or Laura Martinez at (210) 336-8550.
It’s Not Too Late - Fiesta Medals Still on Sale
The 2025 SPM Fiesta medal features the MTA and the 75th Jubilee Anniversary logo motto. Cost is $12 each.
The Fiesta medal sale serves as a fundraiser for SPMA, and the proceeds are used to cover costs for the annual Missionary Renewal Day held in October. Every sale counts!
To increase sales, SPMA team members sold Fiesta medals in April at Ridge on the Hill restaurant. We had an enjoyable time while raising a few dollars for SPMA!
To purchase Fiesta medals, contact Edna Salas at (210) 254-5770 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Get yours now!
Monday Morning Rosary Group
Fr. Kentenich’s Words Transcend Decades
The Monday Morning Rosary Group is now praying the Glorious Mysteries. Jesus has arisen!
Over the last few months, the group has been reading “A Father to Many: The Life and Work of Father Kentenich” by Esteban Uriburu. The section the group is covering now discusses Fr. Kentenich's return home. He never slowed down on giving lectures and talks. In 1968, he vigorously stressed the role of Mary in the world.
In the book, Uriburu shared the following quote from Fr. Kentenich:
"One reason why the world and Church are shaken by revolutions is because the people belonging to the Church to a large extent do not want to pay tribute to Our Lady's triumph in the way she deserves. People no longer want to accept Our Lady's mission to create order in the present-day world. This is obviously the work of the Devil..."
Amazing how his words describe our present times.