SPMA Update
SPMA State Meeting at Schoenstatt Lamar
The SPMA State Team gathered at Schoenstatt Lamar on Saturday, March 21, for a day of reflection, planning, and renewed missionary spirit. The meeting was led by Joss and Diego Alfaro, leaders for SPMA Texas, with Father Rex Anthony and Sister Virginia Riedl accompanying the group as moderators of the apostolate.
The Alfaros offered an inspiring and motivating presentation called “Keeping the Flame Alive.” The flame symbolizes a living faith sustained by constant prayer, which is a symbol of hope, love, and perseverance.
The 2026 state motto was joyfully announced: Anchored in the Covenant. As SPMA Missionaries and Receivers, we go forth as joyful missionaries of hope anchored in the Covenant of Love!
In Service of the Pilgrim Mother
The Schoenstatt Pilgrim Apostolate (SPMA) reaches out to everyone, providing deep encounters with Christ through Mary. As SPMA Missionaries, we facilitate this by rotating an image of our Blessed Mother, Mother Thrice Admirable (MTA)—also known as the pilgrim shrine or pilgrim MTA—every few days among the homes of our families, friends, and other individuals who are committed to the SPMA mission.
The pilgrim shrine is a picture of Mary, Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen & Victress of Schoenstatt, set within a wooden frame shaped like the Schoenstatt Shrine. On the back of each shrine is a brief explanation of the apostolate, the Consecration Prayer, and other important information. At the bottom of the frame is the shrine number. These numbers allow the SPMA Diocesan Coordinators for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Stephen and Frances Zunker, to maintain an accurate roster of the shrines and the Missionaries to whom they are assigned.
In addition to his Co-Coordinator duties, Stephen Zunker holds another very special role for the Apostolate: carpenter. Sometimes referred to as SPMA’s St. Joseph, Stephen lovingly and patiently assembles, repairs, and cleans the wooden shrines that pass through our hands and homes. He spends countless hours caring for the pilgrim shrines, and he does it with much love for the Blessed Mother.
In every polished frame and carefully repaired corner, Stephen’s work is a silent offering—an act of love that allows the Pilgrim Mother to continue visiting her children. As the pilgrim shrines make their way from home to home, we give thanks for the hands that keep them beautiful, sturdy, and ready to carry Mary into the world.
Thank you Stephen Zunker!
Schoenstatt Holy Hour Every 2nd Wednesday at St. Jerome’s
The rosary at St. Jerome’s Schoenstatt Holy Hour in March was led by a 10-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, children of receivers of the Pilgrim Shrine (traveling shrine of the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother Apostolate).
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 June 10, July 8, August 12, and September 9. SPMA Missionaries and Receivers are invited to bring their pilgrim shrines. For more information, contact Frances Zunker at (210) 380-3295.
Continue to pray for the canonization of João Pozzobon
SPMA invites all missionaries and receivers to continue praying for the canonization of Venerable João Pozzobon on the 27th of each month (in remembrance of his death on June 27, 1985).
If you would like a prayer card or a copy of the João Pozzobon Meditative Rosary, contact Frances Zunker, SPMA Diocesan Coordinator, at (210) 380-3295.