page_title: John Pozzobon
section_title: The beginnings of the Pilgrim Mother Campaign
hierarchical_section_title: John Pozzobon / Life / The beginnings of the Pilgrim Mother Campaign
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Mère Pèlerine de Schoenstatt English: Pilgrim Mother of Schoenstatt Español: Virgen Peregrina de Schoenstatt Português: Mãe Peregrina de Schoenstatt
context_page_description: John Pozzobon was a Catholic permanent deacon and the starter of the Schoenstatt's Pilgrim Mother Campaign, today present in more than 100 countries in the world. His beatification process is ongoing.
context_section_description: In 1950, Pope Pius XII had called a Holy Year for the Church. On 1 November of that year would see the proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
  In September, John had attended, with a hundred men, a series of spiritual exercises that Father Celestino Trevisan had given with Sister Teresinha Gobbo. They discussed the importance of praying the Rosary and how to stimulate a prayer crusade in the families. On 10 September 1950, a replica of the Mater Ter Admirabilis picture, present in the Schoenstatt Shrine is blessed and entrusted to John Pozzobon for that he goes to pray the Rosary with the image in families.
  "In that moment, I understood that the goodness and mercy of God and the Mother and Queen had given me a great evangelizing mission: the Holy Rosary Campaign." He is convinced that "when something comes from God, one man can move the world. I said to Mary: 'I have seven children and a wife, and I am accountable to God for my children and my wife. But if it is the will of God and Yours, one man can move mountains.' But all went well. In the early years, I had dedicated to the Mother and Queen two hours a day of my time. When the children were already older and could work in the shop, I passed to dedicate myself fully to the Campaign. If God wants that someone performs a task, He also concedes the time to dedicate to his family."
  Requests to receive the visit of the Mother Thrice Admirable picture were increasing. John remains in his store in the morning and, after delivering all orders, he leaves the counter to his wife or children to spend the afternoon by visiting the families to pray the rosary.
  He begins to visit schools, hospitals and even prisons in the region. And always on foot, carrying the image on his back, weighing over 25 pounds (11 kg).
  
  John also organizes "missions" in the villages: he brings the picture in the villages and families gather to pray the Rosary. Then he preaches the Gospel, speaks about conversion and inquires about the material and spiritual status of families. So he leaves the village and returns a few days later, bringing material aid and also a priest to celebrate Mass, to confess and marry couples and to baptize children.
  And then the fruits begin to appear. Many families return to the Church; pilgrimages to the Schoenstatt Shrine are organized; Eucharistic adoration is established in several parishes; farmers build chapels in villages.
caption: The Pilgrim Mother's smaller image used today
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