The Diocese of Honolulu will join 12 other U.S. dioceses in the Diocesan Rosary Congress Oct. 7-13 to assist the faithful to fulfill the message of Fatima, given more than 100 years ago by the Blessed Mother to three shepherd children in Portugal.
The message of Fatima is a plea for prayer, reparation and sacrifice for the sanctification of families, the end of abortion and world peace. Other intentions the diocese has added are healing for the people and the church, church unity, the sanctification of priests and an increase in vocations.
Hawaii’s congress is also a response to the Bishop Larry Silva’s call for “prayer and fasting” in atonement for clergy sexual abuse.
During the week of eucharistic adoration, the rosary is prayed aloud every hour. Special Masses, processions and confessions may be also included. Other suggested activities include enrollment to the brown scapular, the Liturgy of the Hours, talks by clergy, guided meditations, and consecration to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
The Honolulu diocese will have a “traveling” congress, with 24 parishes or religious communities each responsible for six hours, starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and ending at another parish on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m.
The congress is primarily a lay initiative blessed by Bishop Larry Silva and organized and led by the diocesan Office of Worship.
The Office of Worship is seeking coordinators for each participating parish and religious congregation. Schools and chapels are also encouraged to participate. Coordinators are asked to contact administrative assistant Easter Almuena at ealmuena@rcchawaii.org or 585-3342 to schedule participation or for more information.
The Diocesan Rosary Congress dates back to 1978 when the Polish people recited the rosary in front of the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa to pray that Pope John Paul be granted entry into his home country. As the congress proceeded, full entry was granted and the Polish pope’s nine-day visit began the transformation of Poland, reshaping its political and spiritual landscape.
The congress was brought to the U.S. in 1988 by one of the original Polish participants. Last year, as the world celebrated the 100th anniversary of Fatima, congresses were planned across the nation. Abortion clinics closed and one diocese experienced a growth in the number of seminarians.
For more information on the national event, visit www.rosarycongressusa.org.
