Marian Holy Hour: May Crowning Ceremony 2023 (Watch the Recording <[link removed]> from the Live In-Person Event)



Fatima feast day celebration: Commemorating the 106th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima



Dear Friend,



Catholic Action for Faith and Family commemorated the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on Saturday, May 13th, with its fourth annual Marian Holy Hour and May Crowning. It was the 106th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima. Once again, we were honored to have Bishop Ramon Bejarano, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, preside. The event was live-streamed to Catholic Action Rosary warriors around the world who “Stormed Heaven” along with several hundred faithful in attendance from San Diego and the surrounding area. (View the photo gallery <[link removed]>).



The event opened with a procession into the church where four gentlemen carried a replica of the International Pilgrim Virgin statue on their shoulders. Bishop Bejarano processed behind the statue and led the faithful into the church. Once all were in place, I welcomed the faithful and spoke briefly about why Our Lady appeared at Fatima: to ask for the faithful to make reparation, to pray the Rosary, to wear the Scapular, which is seemingly a very simple message. But if we look at the world today, we see that this simple and much needed message of hope was not heeded. I reminded everyone that there is always hope and that Our Blessed Mother can resolve any situation!



What began three years ago as a completely virtual event due to the pandemic has become a highly welcomed annual tradition in the diocesan, parish, and online communities. Again, this year, Fr. Anthony Saroki of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church collaborated with Catholic Action to organize this in-person and virtual May crowning, and we are very grateful for his assistance. 



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A special thanks to everyone for sending in your prayer intentions during the days leading up to the event.



Following the introduction, Bishop Bejarano’s address offered some very inspiring words to ponder: “We have come here to crown the Virgin Mother of God and listen to the Word of God in faith. This ceremony has a lesson to teach us about the Gospel, that the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven are those who are foremost in serving and in love.  Our Lord Himself came to serve, not to be served.  He drew all things to Himself, when He was lifted up from the earth and He reigned there by the power and justice of love. And Our Lady, whose glory was proclaimed, was the humble servant of the Lord when she was on earth.  She gave herself to her Son and His work. With Him and under Him, she was an instrument for our intercession.  Now in the glory of heaven, she’s still the God-bearer, to us, brothers and sisters, she cares about our eternal salvation.  She is a minister of holiness and the queen of love.”



Later, Bishop Bejarano spoke about Christ in the Eucharist – devotion of the apostles through communal life, the breaking of the bread and prayers. They followed the command of Christ in the Last Supper – “do this in memory of Me.” He spoke on the Eucharistic Revival going on in the Church and the popes who spoke about Mary in the Eucharist. 



The Bishop quoted St. John Paul II’s 2003 Encyclical:



 “Everything that we do in the Church comes from the Eucharist.”



From Chapter Six, the School of Mary – Woman of the Eucharist: we know that Mary is precisely a teacher, par excellence.  For this reason, Mary can guide us toward the Eucharist because she has a profound relationship with it. Mary lived her Eucharistic faith even before the Institution of the Eucharist by the very fact that she offered her virginal womb for the Incarnation of God’s word. What a beautiful mystery! In her fiat, Mother Mary conceives Jesus first in her heart and then in her womb, as she offers her Immaculate womb for the Incarnate Word.  She offered herself completely, soul, body and blood to the Word of God.  For this reason, Mary was the first tabernacle in history. 



His Excellency gave several examples of how Mary is the Tabernacle of Christ. He encouraged each of us to dedicate time before and/or after Mass to prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist just as Mary did; with all of her body, blood, spirit and soul.



Following his address, the Bishop blessed the crown of flowers with holy water and a young girl from the parish placed it on the head of the Blessed Mother. Then the Bishop reverenced the statue with incense and led the faithful in the recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the most Holy Rosary. Following the rosary he led the faithful in the Litany of Loreto.



To conclude the event, Bishop Bejarano blessed the faithful. Present also during the ceremony was a reliquary containing the first-class relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco, two of the children to whom Our Lady appeared at Fatima. The Marian hymns throughout the event were tremendously inspiring. As he processed down the aisle, the Bishop gave his blessing to all, and many had tears in their eyes!



Throughout the day, the event helped us to keep our hearts focused on the Queen of Peace.



Please Enjoy the Marian Holy Hour and Virtual May Crowning Recording! <[link removed]>



Catholic Action friends and family! Together, let us continue to invoke Our Lady of Fatima’s aid as a loving mother and ask her to intercede with her Son to bring comfort and a divine reprieve to all of us in our needs and sufferings.



Also, let us “Storm Heaven” so the divine gifts of Faith, Hope, and Charity may abound throughout the world. I pray that Our Lady of Fatima may bless you and your loved ones now and always!



May Crowning 2023 Photo Gallery <[link removed]>



Yoursin the Immaculate Heart of Mary,





Thomas J. McKenna

Founder and President

Catholic Action for Faith Family







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Catholic Action For Faith And Family - PO Box 910308, San Diego, CA 92191-0308, United States

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