Report on the 16th National Assembly
From May 31 to June 1, 2025, the 16th National Assembly of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) took place in Valladolid, Spain. The Assembly brought together M.I. members from Madrid, Barcelona, and Vitoria, Spain.
The event began on Saturday, May 31, at the San Francisco de Asís Parish and School run by the Conventual Franciscans. The opening lecture, “From the Heart of Mary to the Heart of Jesus” was delivered by Father Julio Alberto DE PABLOS, the former Rector of the Shrine of the Great Promise. He spoke about Mary’s role as a guide to Christ. After the lecture, the participants had the opportunity to go to confession, pray, and adore the Blessed Sacrament.
Next, the participants moved to the Benito MENNI Hospital, where they attended Mass in its chapel. The chapel was designated as a jubilee church for the 2025 Holy Year. The Mass commemorated the Visitation of the Virgin Mary and the 144th anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Those attending the Mass included members of the hospital patient community, and the Hospitaller Sisters, who renewed their vows during the liturgy. Everyone present was able to obtain a plenary indulgence.
After the Mass, the participants returned to the San Francisco de Asís School and enjoyed a fraternal paella in its cafeteria. The day ended with an M.I. meeting in one of the classrooms, where Cristina MONSALVE, the National President of the M.I. in Spain, and militia members from Madrid, Barcelona, and Vitoria, shared testimony and talked about ongoing projects. They talked about the drafting of the yearbook of the National M.I. in Spain and discussed future plans. Miquel BORDAS PRÓSZYNSKI, the M.I. International President, also gave an address.
In the afternoon, the members prayed Evening Prayer in the school church and four new members were consecrated and given Miraculous Medals. The rest of the members present renewed their consecration, according to a formula proposed by St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, before an image of the Immaculate Virgin. The day concluded with the recitation of the Rosary during a candlelight procession in the school courtyard, headed by an image of the Virgin Mary.
On Sunday, June 1, the Solemnity of the Ascension, the participants gathered at the National Shrine-Basilica of the Great Promise in Valladolid, where Blessed Bernardo Francisco de Hoyos (SJ) received from Jesus the revelation of the Great Promise: “I will reign in Spain and with more veneration than anywhere else.” The Mass was presided over by the Most Reverend Luis Javier ARGÜELLO GARCÍA, Archbishop of Valladolid, Spain and President of the Episcopal Conference of Spain. He was joined by his Conventual Franciscan confreres: the M.I. National Assistant, Friar Jesús María JIMÉNEZ MARTÍNEZ; and Friar Jordi ALCARAZ CUENCA. In his homily, the Archbishop urged the M.I. to bear witness to the Gospel and to promote devotion to Our Lady. During the Mass, the National President consecrated the entire M.I. of Spain to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
After the Mass, in an adjacent chapel, a volunteer presented a spiritual overview of the Shrine and the Heart of Jesus Spirituality Center, explaining its history and mission. Afterwards, the participants visited Valladolid’s historic city center which features the Cathedral and several notable churches.
The Assembly participants also got to visit the three Jubilee Churches in the Archdiocese of Valladolid. The day concluded with a fraternal meal at the Spirituality Center, where they were greeted by Father Jesús FERNÁNDEZ LUBIANO, Rector of the Shrine and Director of the Center.
The Assembly reaffirmed the call to live the mission with courage and love under the guidance of the Immaculate Virgin, chosen from all eternity for the mission of maternal mediation and co-redemption. Guided by the hand of the Immaculate Virgin, and through her intercession, let us walk with confidence, assured that she will lead us to her divine Son.
Isabel ÁLVAREZ DE TOLEDO, an M.I. member from Valladolid
