Preparations for this event have been going on, in the State of California, since Sept. 8, 2006. On that day Cardinal Roger Mahoney wrote: "I strongly urge all our pastors, the leaders of our parishes and schools, to unite in prayer, labor and sacrifice, to organize our participation in this Rosary celebration."
Cardinal Mahoney was the papal envoy to the 50th Anniversary of the Family Rosary Crusade, held in Manila in 1992. The final Mass, in the Luneta, attracted two million people. Father Patrick Peyton founded the Family Rosary Crusade, and felt that of all the countries in the world, the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary was deepest and strongest in the Philippines.
Bishop Oscar Solis, Filipino, is the Vicar for Ethnic, Multi-Cultural Ministries in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He will be the Archdiocesan Director of the "Rosary Bowl" in May. In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles alone, there are 750,000 Filipinos.
John Paul II called Father Peyton "The Apostle of the Rosary." He was proclaimed "Servant of God" in 2001 when the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints gave approval for the opening of his cause for sainthood. He coordinated Rosary events in more than 40 countries. His simple, strong message was always, "The family that prays together, stays together!’
The word "rosary" comes from the Latin "Rosarium". It means: "a garland of roses". As far back as the second century it was a daily devotion in the monasteries of the Middle East. It was made popular by Saint Dominic in the 1200’s, was championed by Popes throughout the ages, and most recently by John Paul II in his papal encyclical "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" in the year 2002.
The Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, in the grotto at Lourdes, on Feb. 11, 1848. Then to the three children at Fatima in Portugal. These developed the devotion to Mary all over the world. The Eucharistic Family Rosary Crusade was held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on May 13, 2005, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
In the Rose Bowl the Eucharistic celebration will combine prayer, music and cultural exhibitions. It will culminate in a public recitation of the Rosary with people of different cultures and languages leading the prayers.
The Family Rosary Crusade of the Philippines, based in Manila, will send a camera crew to cover the celebration in the Rose Bowl.
A request has been made to send a Filipino, or a Filipina, to give a brief personal account, live in the Rose Bowl, of a favor granted by the Blessed Virgin Mary to a Filipino.
Many amazing favors have been granted, here in this country: children given to mothers who have been childless for years; sons, freed from their addiction to drugs; financial aid coming to those who have been destitute for years; release from diseases that were thought to be incurable. One mother was assured by her doctor that the baby in her womb was a girl. She prayed to the Virgin Mary to make it a boy; later she prayed that the boy would have dimples!. . . . .When the child was born, it was a boy, with dimples!
If there are any recent requests, made here in the Philippines, which were granted by the Virgin Mary. . . . . .the Family Rosary Crusade of the Philippines would be grateful to hear about them!
Please contact: James B. Reuter, S.J.
2307 Pedro Gil, Santa Ana, Manila
Telefax: 563-73-16
E-mail: nomm@surfshop.net.ph
The Philippines should be strongly represented at the Rosary in the Rose Bowl!
You can reach it on Smart by texting: "Reuter@326".