Marian Holy Hour: May Crowning Ceremony 2023 (Watch
the Recording 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).
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.
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!
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!
Yours in
the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Thomas J. McKenna
Founder and
President
Catholic Action for Faith Family
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