By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Ireland-based organization Worldpriest will give Bishop Larry Silva an award for “outstanding promotion and participation in the Global Rosary Relay for Priests” at the noon Mass Sept. 21 in Honolulu’s Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
At 11:30 a.m. on June 23, the Honolulu cathedral joined more than 120 churches in 50 countries in the event — a continuous, around-the-world, 24-hour recitation of the rosary.
The purpose of the world-wide event is to pray for the sanctification of all priests and to implore Our Lady, Mother of all priests, for her protection and loving care.
Honolulu participated with a “living rosary,” in which 66 people each took a turn leading one of the rosary’s prayers.
“Our priests work very hard to serve the people of our diocese, and I am very grateful for all they do to give witness to Jesus,” said Bishop Silva upon learning of the honor. “It is very edifying to know that they are supported by the prayers of so many people.”
“In receiving this Global Rosary Relay for Priests award, we thank God for all our priests and those who support them with their prayers,” he said. “This will strengthen us all — priests and people — to continue to serve the Lord with hearts full of gladness.”
Making the award presentation will be Easter Almuena, administrative assistant for the Diocesan Office of Worship and Hawaii’s Worldpriest representative.
The rosary relay is the brainchild of Marion Mulhall, an Irish marketing professional who created the website worldpriest.com in 2003 to “affirm the dignity, beauty and gift of the priesthood of Jesus Christ to humanity.” In 2009, she and her team organized the first global rosary.
The Office of Worship coordinated the event in Hawaii.
In congratulating Bishop Silva, Mulhall praised the “living rosary” participation.
“This brings me personally a great joy to see how you unfolded your planning in such a powerful way, namely the 66 people of all ages who were involved,” she said. “I believe their participation in this great global event will lead to new good seed planted for future vocations to priesthood and religious life and to a deepening of the faith of all people.”
