THE ROSARY CONGRESS
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Rosary Congress is a proven spiritual event of prayer, for seven days and nights with Masses, Eucharistic Adoration and praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. In May 1979 Poland used this powerful proven method of prayer; Because of government sensitivity it was called, The Siege of Jericho.
"And to Joshua the Lord said, 'I have delivered Jericho and its king into your power. Have all the soldiers circle the city, marching once around it. Do this for six days, with the seven priest carrying rams' horns ahead of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times and have the priest blow the horns. When they give a long blast on the ram's horns and you hear that signal, all the people shall shout aloud. The wall of the city will collapse, and they will be able to make a frontal attack'" (josh 6:2-5)
The first Rosary Congress was held in Poland. Pope John Paul II wanted to visit his native country in 1979. The government with sanctions made the visit impossible. A prayer group went to God in prayer. Through inspiration they came to pray 7 days and nights, with Masses, Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary hourly, at their National Shrine to Our Lady of Czestochowa. On the seventh day, all government sanctions were dropped. The Pope was allowed to visit his native country.
In 1988, The Rosary Congress came to the United States. John Downs, a quadriplegic, was inspired to organize the first Rosary Congress at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is patroness of the United States. Imitating the Polish people who prayed at their National Shrine, Our Lady of Czestochowa. All who attended were encouraged to bring this Rosary Congress back to their towns and cities, enabling many to experience these powerful prayers.
In 1989, a New Orleans delegation attended the Second Rosary Congress at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This idea was brought back to the city. Many organized prayer groups, families and Adoration Chapels in the area agreed to help make this first Rosary Congress a success. So it was.
In 1990, the first Greater New Orleans Rosary Congress was held in New Orleans, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, patroness of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. We prayed for life, reparation and peace. On the last day of the first G.N.O. Rosary Congress, the oldest abortion clinic in the city of New Orleans closes. After the 25th Rosary Congress the large Abortion Clinic on Ridge Lake closed. What a testimony to gathering together in prayer.
THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES
For 28 years The Greater New Orleans Rosary Congress has been a powerful event. Many people from the area and beyond attend. St. Dominic’s Parish, was the first Parish to open its doors to the G.N.O. Rosary Congress. On retreat, the pastor, Rev. Neal McDermott O.P. was told by Sister Briege that his church was like a great heart pumping life throughout the area. Recognizing its source Fr. Mc Dermott said, "Rosary Congress!" Each year, as Pastor, he supported the G.N.O. Rosary Congress. All new pastors of St. Dominic did likewise for over 20 years.
After Katrina, Fr. Pat Wattigny from St Benilde Parish, in Metairie welcomed the GNO Rosary Congress to his Parish for three years. Returning to St. Dominic’s for 2 more years. On the move now, St. Clement of Rome hosted the Congress for 2 year. Many of their parishioners were part of the group that brought the Rosary Congress to the New Orleans area. Then it was at St. Rita’s in Harahan and now the G.N.O. Rosary Congress is at Our Lady of Divine Providence on W. Metairie Ave Metairie.
The church opens day and night for seven days 24/7, 168 hours for continual prayer and Adoration. Prayer groups, families and individuals come from many Parishes and out of town to cover the time. There is time for Mass, Adoration, Rosaries, Processions, Spiritual Talks, periods of silence, and singing. The beauty and diversity of the Catholic Church is demonstrated with the many activities held during this week.
The 2019 Greater New Orleans Rosary Congress opens Saturday October 5 through Friday October 11, at St. Rita Parish in Harahan. There is plenty room for all to come and pray together. Masses, the Rosary and Chaplet of Mercy before the Eucharist are most needed now. Our Lady has told us that she has many graces to give that are not requested. Also Our Lady said, "Continue to pray the Rosary daily, to obtain peace in the world and the end of wars, because only Our Lady can help you" July 13, 1917.
Be inspired; bring the Rosary Congress back to your town. Prayer will help to continue America’s Mission of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all under one God in whom we trust.
Call Marie 504-508-7100 for more information.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Rosary Congress is a proven spiritual event of prayer, for seven days and nights with Masses, Eucharistic Adoration and praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. In May 1979 Poland used this powerful proven method of prayer; Because of government sensitivity it was called, The Siege of Jericho.
"And to Joshua the Lord said, 'I have delivered Jericho and its king into your power. Have all the soldiers circle the city, marching once around it. Do this for six days, with the seven priest carrying rams' horns ahead of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times and have the priest blow the horns. When they give a long blast on the ram's horns and you hear that signal, all the people shall shout aloud. The wall of the city will collapse, and they will be able to make a frontal attack'" (josh 6:2-5)
The first Rosary Congress was held in Poland. Pope John Paul II wanted to visit his native country in 1979. The government with sanctions made the visit impossible. A prayer group went to God in prayer. Through inspiration they came to pray 7 days and nights, with Masses, Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary hourly, at their National Shrine to Our Lady of Czestochowa. On the seventh day, all government sanctions were dropped. The Pope was allowed to visit his native country.
In 1988, The Rosary Congress came to the United States. John Downs, a quadriplegic, was inspired to organize the first Rosary Congress at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is patroness of the United States. Imitating the Polish people who prayed at their National Shrine, Our Lady of Czestochowa. All who attended were encouraged to bring this Rosary Congress back to their towns and cities, enabling many to experience these powerful prayers.
In 1989, a New Orleans delegation attended the Second Rosary Congress at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This idea was brought back to the city. Many organized prayer groups, families and Adoration Chapels in the area agreed to help make this first Rosary Congress a success. So it was.
In 1990, the first Greater New Orleans Rosary Congress was held in New Orleans, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, patroness of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. We prayed for life, reparation and peace. On the last day of the first G.N.O. Rosary Congress, the oldest abortion clinic in the city of New Orleans closes. After the 25th Rosary Congress the large Abortion Clinic on Ridge Lake closed. What a testimony to gathering together in prayer.
THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES
For 28 years The Greater New Orleans Rosary Congress has been a powerful event. Many people from the area and beyond attend. St. Dominic’s Parish, was the first Parish to open its doors to the G.N.O. Rosary Congress. On retreat, the pastor, Rev. Neal McDermott O.P. was told by Sister Briege that his church was like a great heart pumping life throughout the area. Recognizing its source Fr. Mc Dermott said, "Rosary Congress!" Each year, as Pastor, he supported the G.N.O. Rosary Congress. All new pastors of St. Dominic did likewise for over 20 years.
After Katrina, Fr. Pat Wattigny from St Benilde Parish, in Metairie welcomed the GNO Rosary Congress to his Parish for three years. Returning to St. Dominic’s for 2 more years. On the move now, St. Clement of Rome hosted the Congress for 2 year. Many of their parishioners were part of the group that brought the Rosary Congress to the New Orleans area. Then it was at St. Rita’s in Harahan and now the G.N.O. Rosary Congress is at Our Lady of Divine Providence on W. Metairie Ave Metairie.
The church opens day and night for seven days 24/7, 168 hours for continual prayer and Adoration. Prayer groups, families and individuals come from many Parishes and out of town to cover the time. There is time for Mass, Adoration, Rosaries, Processions, Spiritual Talks, periods of silence, and singing. The beauty and diversity of the Catholic Church is demonstrated with the many activities held during this week.
The 2019 Greater New Orleans Rosary Congress opens Saturday October 5 through Friday October 11, at St. Rita Parish in Harahan. There is plenty room for all to come and pray together. Masses, the Rosary and Chaplet of Mercy before the Eucharist are most needed now. Our Lady has told us that she has many graces to give that are not requested. Also Our Lady said, "Continue to pray the Rosary daily, to obtain peace in the world and the end of wars, because only Our Lady can help you" July 13, 1917.
Be inspired; bring the Rosary Congress back to your town. Prayer will help to continue America’s Mission of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all under one God in whom we trust.
Call Marie 504-508-7100 for more information.
The Rosary Congress & Its Importance
DREAM OF TWO PILLARS
BY FR. JOHN BOSCO
"Imagine yourself to be with me on the seashore, or better, on an isolated rock and not to see any patch of land other than that under your feet. On the whole of that vast sheet of water you see an innumerable fleet of ships in battle array. The prows of the ships are formed into sharp, spear-like points so that wherever they are thrust they pierce and completely destroy. These ships are armed with cannons, with lots of rifles, with incendiary materials, with other firearms of all kinds, and also with books, and advance against a ship very much bigger and higher than themselves and try to dash against it with the prows or burn it or in some way to do it every possible harm."
"As escorts to that majestic fully equipped ship, there are many smaller ships, which receive commands by signal from it and carry out movements to defend themselves from the opposing fleet.
In the midst of the immense expanse of sea, two mighty columns of great height arise a little distance the one from the other. On the top of one, there is the statue of the Immaculate Virgin, from whose feet hangs a large placard with this inscription: Auxilium Christianorum - "Help of Christians"; on the other, which is much higher and bigger, stands a Host of great size proportionate to the column and beneath is another placard with the words: Salus Credentium - Salvation of the Faithful (Believers).
"The supreme commander of the big ship is the Sovereign Pontiff. He, seeing the fury of the enemies and the evils among which his faithful find themselves, determines to summon around himself the captains of the smaller ships to hold a council and decide what is to be done.
All the captains come aboard and gather around the Pope. They hold a meeting, but meantime the wind and the waves gather in storm, so they are sent back to control their own ships. There comes a short lull; for a second time the Pope gathers the captains around him, while the flag-ship goes on its course. But the frightful storm returns. The Pope stands at the helm and all his energies are directed to steering the ship towards those two columns from whose summits hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains.
"All the enemy ships move to attack it, and they try in every way to stop it and to sink it: some with books and writings or inflammable materials, of which they are full; others with firearms, with rifles and with rams. The battle rages ever more relentlessly. The enemy prows thrust violently, but their efforts and impact prove useless. They make attempts in vain and waste all their labor and ammunition; the big ship goes safely and smoothly on its way. Sometimes it happens that, struck by formidable blows, it gets large, deep gaps in its sides; but no sooner is the harm done that a gentle breeze blows from the two columns and the cracks close up and the gaps are stopped immediately.
Meanwhile, the guns of the assailants are blown up, the rifles and other arms and prows are broken; many ships are shattered and sink into the sea. Then, the frenzied enemies strive to fight hand to hand, with fists, with blows, with blasphemy and with curses.
"Suddenly the Pope falls gravely wounded. Immediately, those who are with him run to help him and they lift him up. A second time the Pope is struck, he falls again and dies. A shout of victory and joy rings out amongst the enemies; from their ships an unspeakable mockery arises.
But hardly is the Pontiff dead than another takes his place. The pilots, having met together, have elected the Pope so promptly that the news of the death of the Pope coincides with the news of the election of the successor. The adversaries begin to lose courage.
"The new Pope, putting the enemy to rout and overcoming every obstacle, guides the ship right up to the two columns and comes to rest between them; he makes it fast with a light chain that hangs from the bow to an anchor of the column on which stands the Host; and with another light chain which hangs from the stern, he fastens it at the opposite end to another anchor hanging from the column on which stands the Immaculate Virgin.
At this point, a great convulsion takes place. All the ships that until then had fought against the Pope's ship are scattered; they flee away, collide and break to pieces one against another. Some sink and try to sink others. Several small ships that had fought gallantly for the Pope race to be the first to bind themselves to those two columns. Many other ships, having retreated through fear of the battle, cautiously watch from far away; the wrecks of the broken ships having been scattered in the whirlpools of the sea, they in their turn sail in good earnest to those two columns, and having reached them, they make themselves fast to the hooks hanging down from them and their they remain safe, together with the principal ship, on which is the Pope. Over the sea their reigns a great calm."
The Rosary Congress - Overview
The "Pillars of Victory" are thus clearly made known to us - Jesus in the Eucharist and true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On a national and international level today, it is the Rosary Congress movement that is working to firmly establish these two pillars everywhere it goes. The Rosary Congress is a gift from Our Lady for the pivotal work of establishing everywhere the Pillars of Victory prophesied by Don Bosco.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN In 1978, our Holy Father requested permission to visit Poland. The government would permit him to enter Poland if he would visit only those places predetermined by the government. The Holy Father desired to visit other places. Permission was not granted; the trip to his homeland seemed to be in jeopardy.
On December 8, 1978, through a private revelation, Our Lady requested seven days and nights of continuous Rosaries to be said from May 1 - 7, 1979, at the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The prayers were to be offered for a resolution of the impasse preventing the papal pilgrimage.
THE HIERARCHY SUPPORTS IT On the same day (Dec. 8), Our Lady's request was relayed to Bishop Zbigniew Kraszewski, a member of the Polish episco- pate's Marian Commission. He said, "it is good to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is good to say the Rosary for the intentions of the Pope. It is good to pray at Jasna Gora. Do it!" The next day, the late Bishop Stefan Barela, Ordinary of Czestochowa and president of the bishops' Marian Commission was approached. He was pleased with the idea of seven days of prayer and encouraged it. However, he advised that it not be called a congress, for he feared possible repercussions from governmental authorities. "If you do not call it a congress, it will be easier for you to organize," he said.
TITLE SIEGE OF JERICHO
The seven-day prayer vigil or Rosary Congress began as requested on May 1. It was soon popularly referred to as the "Siege of Jericho", reminiscent of the Old Testament battle, because participants believed they “were destroying the walls of satanic darkness ... overcoming the gates of hell ... fighting the princes and rulers of darkness. Such was the form of our prayers and meditations," said one organizer and participant.
AROUND THE CLOCK PRAYER
That first congress featured 15 conferences on the Rosary in Jasna Gora's Rosary Chapel. From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. there was a continuous sequence of Masses, Rosaries and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Sacred Heart Chapel. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Rosaries were prayed before the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
As the Rosary Congress was beginning, Bishop Kraszewski was informed again by Polish Communist authorities on May 2 that the Pope would be permitted to visit Poland, but with a limited itinerary. The bishop reportedly answered that the governmental restrictions would bring shame on the nation in the year marking the 1000th anniversary of Polish Christianity. The Pope would not come to Poland with such restrictions, he said.
A TRIUMPH FOR OUR LADY
On May 7, the last day of the Rosary Congress at Jasna Gora, the government unexpectedly relented and removed the major obstacles to the papal visit. The Polish people credit the Rosary Congress, or "Siege of Jericho", with clearing the path for the Pope's visit. Since that time, whenever Pope John Paul II makes any apostolic journey outside of Rome, somewhere in Poland there is a Rosary Congress offered for his intentions and protection.
THE POWER OF THE ROSARY
After the official prayer of the Church, the Rosary is the most powerful form of prayer. It is said that in 1214, the Blessed Virgin told St. Dominic that the principal weapon the Holy Trinity relies upon to reform the world is the Rosary. Throughout history there are numerous examples showing the power of Our Lady when humanity turns to her intercession through the Rosary. A few instances worth recalling:
In our own day, the power of the Rosary is credited with the peaceful revolution in the Philippines. According to a public statement made by Jaime Cardinal Sin of Manila, Our Lady personally intervened to protect her children from a military attack. Abortion, homosexuality, drugs, violence, sexual promiscuity and the threat of nuclear war plague our age. It is crucial, however, that the faithful not lose heart. Our Lady told Fr. Stefano Gobbi (the founder of the Marian Movement of Priests) on October 7, 1986, that one of Satan's most effective tactics is to convince good people that the forces of good cannot succeed, that "it has already become useless to make any kind of an effort to lead humanity along the road of return to God and to good." Our Lady asks us to counter this diabolical tactic with trust in her and her weapon, the Rosary.
OVERVIEW
The Rosary Congress is a cenacle of prayer that hastens hasten the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This truly spiritual experience is a foretaste of how beautiful the world will be when humanity returns to the love and service of God. It will be that period of peace foretold by Our Lady of Fatima wherein the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus will be the center of our lives and the Holy Spirit win fill our hearts with the fire of His love to renew the face of the earth.
... Jesus, who has taught us the prayer to invoke the coming of the reign of God upon earth, will at last see fulfilled this prayer of His, because He will restore his reign. And creation will again be a new garden where Christ will be glorified by all and His divine kingship will be welcomed and exalted. It will be a universal reign of peace, of grace, of beauty, of harmony, of communion, of holiness, of justice and of peace.
The great mercy will come to you as a burning fire of love and will be brought by the Holy Spirit who is given to us by the Father and the Son, so that the Father may see Himself loved by all his brothers (O.L.S. July 3, 1987).
The Cenacle or upper room in which the Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper was also the scene of the first novena in preparation for the descent of the Holy Spirit. At His Ascension Jesus had asked His disciples to return to Jerusalem and await there the Gift He would send them at Pentecost. So they gathered in the cenacle around the Holy Mother in continuous prayer. Now, Our Lady invites us to gather with her again in cenacles of prayer and fraternity to await the second Pentecost.
... Only in the cenacle of my Immaculate Heart, when the whole Church will have entered in, will the great prodigy of the second Pentecost take place. It will be a divine fire of purification and of sanctification that will renew the entire face of the earth” (O.L.S. June 7,1987).
In that spirit, a Rosary Congress desires to be nothing but a continuous cenacle. Following the Polish example much time is spent in Eucharistic adoration while meditating on the central mysteries of our Faith in the prayer of the holy Rosary; conferences help to enlighten and strengthen our Faith; and all is enveloped in a spirit of penance and reparation for our sins and for the sins of humanity in order to call down God's mercy upon our the whole world.
Finally, but far from least in importance, it is to be remembered that every Rosary Congress has the explicit desire and intention to be united with Our Holy Father, and to pray for his special intentions.
BY FR. JOHN BOSCO
"Imagine yourself to be with me on the seashore, or better, on an isolated rock and not to see any patch of land other than that under your feet. On the whole of that vast sheet of water you see an innumerable fleet of ships in battle array. The prows of the ships are formed into sharp, spear-like points so that wherever they are thrust they pierce and completely destroy. These ships are armed with cannons, with lots of rifles, with incendiary materials, with other firearms of all kinds, and also with books, and advance against a ship very much bigger and higher than themselves and try to dash against it with the prows or burn it or in some way to do it every possible harm."
"As escorts to that majestic fully equipped ship, there are many smaller ships, which receive commands by signal from it and carry out movements to defend themselves from the opposing fleet.
In the midst of the immense expanse of sea, two mighty columns of great height arise a little distance the one from the other. On the top of one, there is the statue of the Immaculate Virgin, from whose feet hangs a large placard with this inscription: Auxilium Christianorum - "Help of Christians"; on the other, which is much higher and bigger, stands a Host of great size proportionate to the column and beneath is another placard with the words: Salus Credentium - Salvation of the Faithful (Believers).
"The supreme commander of the big ship is the Sovereign Pontiff. He, seeing the fury of the enemies and the evils among which his faithful find themselves, determines to summon around himself the captains of the smaller ships to hold a council and decide what is to be done.
All the captains come aboard and gather around the Pope. They hold a meeting, but meantime the wind and the waves gather in storm, so they are sent back to control their own ships. There comes a short lull; for a second time the Pope gathers the captains around him, while the flag-ship goes on its course. But the frightful storm returns. The Pope stands at the helm and all his energies are directed to steering the ship towards those two columns from whose summits hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains.
"All the enemy ships move to attack it, and they try in every way to stop it and to sink it: some with books and writings or inflammable materials, of which they are full; others with firearms, with rifles and with rams. The battle rages ever more relentlessly. The enemy prows thrust violently, but their efforts and impact prove useless. They make attempts in vain and waste all their labor and ammunition; the big ship goes safely and smoothly on its way. Sometimes it happens that, struck by formidable blows, it gets large, deep gaps in its sides; but no sooner is the harm done that a gentle breeze blows from the two columns and the cracks close up and the gaps are stopped immediately.
Meanwhile, the guns of the assailants are blown up, the rifles and other arms and prows are broken; many ships are shattered and sink into the sea. Then, the frenzied enemies strive to fight hand to hand, with fists, with blows, with blasphemy and with curses.
"Suddenly the Pope falls gravely wounded. Immediately, those who are with him run to help him and they lift him up. A second time the Pope is struck, he falls again and dies. A shout of victory and joy rings out amongst the enemies; from their ships an unspeakable mockery arises.
But hardly is the Pontiff dead than another takes his place. The pilots, having met together, have elected the Pope so promptly that the news of the death of the Pope coincides with the news of the election of the successor. The adversaries begin to lose courage.
"The new Pope, putting the enemy to rout and overcoming every obstacle, guides the ship right up to the two columns and comes to rest between them; he makes it fast with a light chain that hangs from the bow to an anchor of the column on which stands the Host; and with another light chain which hangs from the stern, he fastens it at the opposite end to another anchor hanging from the column on which stands the Immaculate Virgin.
At this point, a great convulsion takes place. All the ships that until then had fought against the Pope's ship are scattered; they flee away, collide and break to pieces one against another. Some sink and try to sink others. Several small ships that had fought gallantly for the Pope race to be the first to bind themselves to those two columns. Many other ships, having retreated through fear of the battle, cautiously watch from far away; the wrecks of the broken ships having been scattered in the whirlpools of the sea, they in their turn sail in good earnest to those two columns, and having reached them, they make themselves fast to the hooks hanging down from them and their they remain safe, together with the principal ship, on which is the Pope. Over the sea their reigns a great calm."
The Rosary Congress - Overview
The "Pillars of Victory" are thus clearly made known to us - Jesus in the Eucharist and true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On a national and international level today, it is the Rosary Congress movement that is working to firmly establish these two pillars everywhere it goes. The Rosary Congress is a gift from Our Lady for the pivotal work of establishing everywhere the Pillars of Victory prophesied by Don Bosco.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN In 1978, our Holy Father requested permission to visit Poland. The government would permit him to enter Poland if he would visit only those places predetermined by the government. The Holy Father desired to visit other places. Permission was not granted; the trip to his homeland seemed to be in jeopardy.
On December 8, 1978, through a private revelation, Our Lady requested seven days and nights of continuous Rosaries to be said from May 1 - 7, 1979, at the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The prayers were to be offered for a resolution of the impasse preventing the papal pilgrimage.
THE HIERARCHY SUPPORTS IT On the same day (Dec. 8), Our Lady's request was relayed to Bishop Zbigniew Kraszewski, a member of the Polish episco- pate's Marian Commission. He said, "it is good to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is good to say the Rosary for the intentions of the Pope. It is good to pray at Jasna Gora. Do it!" The next day, the late Bishop Stefan Barela, Ordinary of Czestochowa and president of the bishops' Marian Commission was approached. He was pleased with the idea of seven days of prayer and encouraged it. However, he advised that it not be called a congress, for he feared possible repercussions from governmental authorities. "If you do not call it a congress, it will be easier for you to organize," he said.
TITLE SIEGE OF JERICHO
The seven-day prayer vigil or Rosary Congress began as requested on May 1. It was soon popularly referred to as the "Siege of Jericho", reminiscent of the Old Testament battle, because participants believed they “were destroying the walls of satanic darkness ... overcoming the gates of hell ... fighting the princes and rulers of darkness. Such was the form of our prayers and meditations," said one organizer and participant.
AROUND THE CLOCK PRAYER
That first congress featured 15 conferences on the Rosary in Jasna Gora's Rosary Chapel. From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. there was a continuous sequence of Masses, Rosaries and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Sacred Heart Chapel. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Rosaries were prayed before the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
As the Rosary Congress was beginning, Bishop Kraszewski was informed again by Polish Communist authorities on May 2 that the Pope would be permitted to visit Poland, but with a limited itinerary. The bishop reportedly answered that the governmental restrictions would bring shame on the nation in the year marking the 1000th anniversary of Polish Christianity. The Pope would not come to Poland with such restrictions, he said.
A TRIUMPH FOR OUR LADY
On May 7, the last day of the Rosary Congress at Jasna Gora, the government unexpectedly relented and removed the major obstacles to the papal visit. The Polish people credit the Rosary Congress, or "Siege of Jericho", with clearing the path for the Pope's visit. Since that time, whenever Pope John Paul II makes any apostolic journey outside of Rome, somewhere in Poland there is a Rosary Congress offered for his intentions and protection.
THE POWER OF THE ROSARY
After the official prayer of the Church, the Rosary is the most powerful form of prayer. It is said that in 1214, the Blessed Virgin told St. Dominic that the principal weapon the Holy Trinity relies upon to reform the world is the Rosary. Throughout history there are numerous examples showing the power of Our Lady when humanity turns to her intercession through the Rosary. A few instances worth recalling:
- In 1571, the Rosary crusade of Pope St. Pius V is credited with saving Christian Europe from the invading Turks. The Catholic forces won a decisive victory over the formidable Turkish armada at Lepanto.
- In August 1945, the Russians mysteriously withdrew their forces from occupied Austria after a mere 10% of the Austrian people pledged to say the Rosary daily.
- In Brazil, devout praying of the Rosary prevented an attempted communist takeover in 1954.
In our own day, the power of the Rosary is credited with the peaceful revolution in the Philippines. According to a public statement made by Jaime Cardinal Sin of Manila, Our Lady personally intervened to protect her children from a military attack. Abortion, homosexuality, drugs, violence, sexual promiscuity and the threat of nuclear war plague our age. It is crucial, however, that the faithful not lose heart. Our Lady told Fr. Stefano Gobbi (the founder of the Marian Movement of Priests) on October 7, 1986, that one of Satan's most effective tactics is to convince good people that the forces of good cannot succeed, that "it has already become useless to make any kind of an effort to lead humanity along the road of return to God and to good." Our Lady asks us to counter this diabolical tactic with trust in her and her weapon, the Rosary.
OVERVIEW
The Rosary Congress is a cenacle of prayer that hastens hasten the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This truly spiritual experience is a foretaste of how beautiful the world will be when humanity returns to the love and service of God. It will be that period of peace foretold by Our Lady of Fatima wherein the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus will be the center of our lives and the Holy Spirit win fill our hearts with the fire of His love to renew the face of the earth.
... Jesus, who has taught us the prayer to invoke the coming of the reign of God upon earth, will at last see fulfilled this prayer of His, because He will restore his reign. And creation will again be a new garden where Christ will be glorified by all and His divine kingship will be welcomed and exalted. It will be a universal reign of peace, of grace, of beauty, of harmony, of communion, of holiness, of justice and of peace.
The great mercy will come to you as a burning fire of love and will be brought by the Holy Spirit who is given to us by the Father and the Son, so that the Father may see Himself loved by all his brothers (O.L.S. July 3, 1987).
The Cenacle or upper room in which the Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper was also the scene of the first novena in preparation for the descent of the Holy Spirit. At His Ascension Jesus had asked His disciples to return to Jerusalem and await there the Gift He would send them at Pentecost. So they gathered in the cenacle around the Holy Mother in continuous prayer. Now, Our Lady invites us to gather with her again in cenacles of prayer and fraternity to await the second Pentecost.
... Only in the cenacle of my Immaculate Heart, when the whole Church will have entered in, will the great prodigy of the second Pentecost take place. It will be a divine fire of purification and of sanctification that will renew the entire face of the earth” (O.L.S. June 7,1987).
In that spirit, a Rosary Congress desires to be nothing but a continuous cenacle. Following the Polish example much time is spent in Eucharistic adoration while meditating on the central mysteries of our Faith in the prayer of the holy Rosary; conferences help to enlighten and strengthen our Faith; and all is enveloped in a spirit of penance and reparation for our sins and for the sins of humanity in order to call down God's mercy upon our the whole world.
Finally, but far from least in importance, it is to be remembered that every Rosary Congress has the explicit desire and intention to be united with Our Holy Father, and to pray for his special intentions.
Rosary Congress Archive
2019
A ROSARY CONGRESS OF THANKSGIVING
FROM
THE FEAST OF MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
TO
THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
(JUNE 1- JUNE 7)
FROM
THE FEAST OF MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
TO
THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
(JUNE 1- JUNE 7)
Special Masses at 7:30 PM:
Sunday: Parish Mass as normally scheduled.
Celebrant: Fr. Ken Smith
Music by Ave Maria Vietnamese Choir of St. Joseph Parish.
Monday: Mass honoring St. Joseph and all men.
Celebrant: Fr. Scott Daniels, O.P.
Music by the Divine Mercy Church Choir.
The all-night vigil from 11PM to 6:45AM is called "Men's Night Out with the Lord!"
Tuesday: The Archbishop's Mass where families are called to come together and pray as a family. Receive a family blessing from the Archbishop!
Celebrant: Most Rev. Gregory Aymond.
Music by The Contemporaries and the St. Dominic Church Choir.
Music Superb! All are welcome!
Wednesday: Mass and prayers in Spanish by our Hispanic community.
Celebrant: Fr. Manuel Solozano, O.P.
Music by the Ministerio de Musica del Apostolado Hispanic de New Orleans.
Thursday: Following the Mass, an outdoor Eucharistic Procession with flower girls, incense, canopy, and music will process around the block. Those staying in Church will continue with prayer. Then, after returning to the Church, there will be a special Holy Hour for Peace with meditations and songs.
Celebrant: Fr. Colm Cahill
Music by the St. Dominic Adult Choir
Friday: Mass for Healing within Families will be offered for all those who put their names on the Family Tree paper in the back of Church during the week. The Mass prayers are for healing within all families. Following the Mass there will be a healing service.
Celebrant: Fr. Anthony Odiong
Music by Tongues of Fire
During this special week, Prayer is continued day and night! Please join us anytime!
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