Connecticut Peaceful Rosary Prayer Vigil
Guardian Damian Keller reported on the Connecticut Visitation of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. With the help of some Knights of Columbus, the Missionary Image was presented at each of the 23 abortion centers in the state, together with pregnancy care centers in the state which, Damian said, “are the other side of the pro-life battle that seems to get lost in the dust when opposing abortion.”
The apostolate of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe supplied Damian with 23 images of Our Lady of Guadalupe which Bishop Maffeo blessed in front of the Missionary Image. Damian then distributed them to those who keep prayer vigils at the state’s abortion centers so that Our Lady’s presence would always be felt at the vigils. Damian said, “We were assured by those receiving the images that they would bring Our Lady each and every time a prayer vigil was to take place in front of the abortion centers. Our Lady’s mission continues…..”
More than two dozen people gathered to pray the Rosary with the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe outside of Planned Parenthood in Springfield, Connecticut on September 12. Father James Longe led the Rosary as the group processed to the vigil.
“The Catholic Church is universal, being pro-life is universal. It’s normal because God is pro-life,” said Father Longe. “The Image is a must because when people go by, when you see Mother Mary enthroned in glory, you know something special is going on,” Father Longe added.
Tina Poulin, the office manager at the Pioneer Valley Massachusetts Citizens for Life, attended the vigil. She said, “It’s an important thing to do, to be a presence, so people can see you, so they know life is important and precious at every stage.” She added that the Image helps remind people of the loving presence of Mary, and her son and savior, Jesus Christ.
“We want to meet people where they’re at and help them where they’re at. Very often people are in enough pain already,” Poulin said. “They don’t need more condemnation, but we want to throw as much love at them as possible. The Blessed Mother was not somebody who was condemning, but loving, gentle and kind,” she said. “The Image helps to remind us of the way the Blessed Mother is and it helps me be the same way.”
Sunbeam “Crowns” Missionary Image During Connecticut Visitation
A Visitation to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas attracted an estimated 34,000 Valley residents with their prayers, their hopes, their fears and their dreams before the Missionary Image during a nine day pilgrimage for life with Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life. “What a marvelous pilgrimage it was!” said Fr. Pavone. “It was like a powerful retreat for me, and I was inspired by the faith of the people and the jubilation and beauty that marked the celebrations.”
The Image visited 25 churches and an abortion center where the precious life of an unborn baby was saved. Missionary Image Guardian, Sr. Nancy Boushey, O.S.B., acknowledged that the child’s life was saved through “the intercession of Mary and the prayerful presence of those who accompanied the Image and counseled the mother not to destroy the human life she was carrying.”
The residents responded with love and some with tears of joy as they gazed upon and touched or kissed the Image. People came from across the Valley to participate at Mass, to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, sing hymns to our Blessed Mother, pray the Rosary and pray for their families and for life. More than 100 people attended classes in preparation for making the Total Consecration to Our Lady according to St. Louis de Montfort, which Pope John Paul II made as a young man and which had such a profound influence in his spiritual life.
The Image also visited a juvenile center where television cameras focused on the conversion stories of 20 young prisoners who said they would henceforth totally consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary. As the Visitation ended at St. Anthony’s Church in Harlingen, men, women, youth and small children followed the Image to the parking lot for an emotional farewell. They reached out to touch the Image one last time.
Almost everyone who venerates the Image is touched in one way or another. Some are given an inner strength to deal with their problems and adversities, others receive confirmation of their prayer petitions, many are led to Confession and Communion or to Eucharistic adoration and some are miraculously healed.
Devotees of Our Lady of Guadalupe confidently answer her call to St. Juan Diego to bring to her their love, their cries and their sorrows. She fulfills her promises and hears them. She brings signs, wonders and conversions. She remedies and alleviates their sufferings, necessities and misfortunes. All find something to love in Our Lady of Guadalupe who is the light that shines above the darkness of this age.
The Missionary Image with the faithful in front of the United States Supreme Court
Let us show the world the light of the Gospel of Christ as Pope John Paul II said, “by means of the miraculous image of His Mother.”
For more information on Visitations of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, please read Dan Lynch’s book, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Hope for the World.
The Missionary Image at the March for Life in front of our Nation's Capital
