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Rosary Sunday calls
Catholics to honor Mary
Thousands expected for day of prayer
By Andrew Junker, The Catholic Sun
October 18, 2007
More than 60 men and women gathered in St. Mary Basilica’s social hall Oct. 3 to put the final touches on this year’s annual Rosary Sunday celebration.
They came from across the Phoenix Diocese and left the meeting with flyers, posters and other promotional material that they will distribute at their parishes. They also committed to praying a novena for a successful Rosary Sunday, now in its 32nd year.
“I can’t believe how many more people have come aboard and want to be a part of it this year,” said Dorothy Westfall, a founder and organizer of the popular Catholic event. “The message has gotten out and a lot of the publicity has taken hold.”
Rosary Sunday will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center Oct. 28. It is the largest annual gathering of Catholics in the state and organizers hope for 6,000 attendees this year.
The day will include a blessing procession in front of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, a concert, a speaker, the rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
“It’s a great opportunity for grace not only for ourselves, but for our families and the world,” Westfall said. “We have so many concerns, yet we can do something about them by coming and praying that day in front of the Blessed Sacrament.”
She also said the celebration allows local Catholics to be united with their bishop who is “very interested in Rosary Sunday and considers it a priority.”
The bishop noted that the celebration brings Catholics of diverse backgrounds together in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Such a gathering deepens our awareness of the varied, rich expressions of Marian devotion,” he said. “It helps us to see why she is called the Mother of the Church, since people of every country look to her for maternal protection and care.”
The bishop said that the event also reminds the faithful to lead Christ-centered lives.
“It helps us to follow Mary’s invitation at the wedding feast in Cana: Do whatever Jesus tells you,” he said.
Organizers have focused on drawing more youth to Rosary Sunday. Hundreds of altar servers from across the diocese already attend the celebration, but Westfall hopes for even greater participation this year in part because of the main speaker.
Fr. Francis Mary, MFVA, will deliver this year’s keynote address. He hosts a popular show on the Eternal Word Television Network that is geared to youth and young adults.
“He will have a message for all of us, but because of the way he presents it, I think the youth will really pick up on it,” Westfall said. “He just seems to have a great focus on subjects that you want to be part of your lives.”
This year’s Rosary Sunday is honoring Mary under her title “Queen of All Saints.” Since the event takes place close to All Saints Day, Westfall encouraged children to attend the celebration dressed as their favorite saint.
Those who come in a saint costume will receive a Miraculous Medal blessed by the Holy Father, Westfall said. She hopes drawing the youth into Rosary Sunday will encourage them to become “part of this tradition in the future.”
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