Marian Holy Hour: May Crowning Ceremony 2022 (Watch
the Recording from Yesterday’s Live In-Person
Event)
Fatima feast day celebration: Commemorating the 105th
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 Friday, May
13th, with its third annual Marian Holy Hour and May Crowning, which
was presided over by Bishop Ramon Bejarano, Auxiliary Bishop of San
Diego. The event was live-streamed to tens of thousands of Catholic
Action Rosary warriors around the world who “Stormed Heaven” along
with several hundred faithful in attendance, including many school
children from San Diego and the surrounding area.
The event opened with a procession
into the church where four men 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, Thomas McKenna, founder and President of Catholic Action,
welcomed the faithful and went on to describe a world that continues
to be in turmoil. “With this ceremony,” he said, “we want to have an
act of prayer and reparation.”
What began two 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.
Experience the Marian Holy Hour and May
Crowning; recording available now.
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 about the
crowning. He said that when we celebrate Our Lady of Fatima, the crown
we place upon her represents all her crowns – these are not made of
gold and jewels but of something more beautiful and profound. His
Excellency then took time to speak about the tensions in our country
regarding the protection and dignity of every human person from the
moment of conception to the moment of natural death. “Unfortunately,
the tensions are not going to end and more regrettably, they will
increase in our state,” he said.
Bishop Bejarano highlighted the sad fact that Californian
elected officials intend to make the state a sanctuary for abortion.
This is a contradiction, he noted, because “the word sanctuary comes
from the Latin word
sanctuarium, which means a
container to safeguard holy
things.” In Christian societies, it has
traditionally been defined as a place for refuge and
protection.
“But terminating the life of an unborn child,” he added,
“can never qualify to make California a sanctuary. There is nothing
holy about it. It doesn’t even offer any protection. California
therefore may become a deathtrap, not a sanctuary, for mothers and
their babies.”
Following his address, the Bishop
blessed the crown of flowers with holy water and a young girl from the
congregation 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 Sorrowful Mysteries of the most Holy Rosary. He
finished the Rosary with the Litany of Loreto.
To conclude the event, Bishop
Bejarano solemnly blessed the faithful with 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!
May
Crowning 2022 Photo Gallery
Your fellow Rosary Warrior in
Christ,
Thomas J. McKenna
Founder and
President
Catholic Action for Faith Family
|
