Dear Friends of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,

In this day and age when the Catholic faith seems to be fading, we at the Diocesan Rosary Congresses want to welcome you to experience a true revival of faith. A faith in Jesus truly present in the Eucharist as directed by His Mother in the rosary. This encounter with Jesus is REAL. It is exciting. It is challenging. It is life changing.

In 1978, Our Lady gave a plan of rejuvenation to the land of Poland which would successfully not only open the doors for Pope John Paul II to travel to Poland, but also, to revive the faith, the belief in Jesus in the Eucharist, and the Truth of the evil of the times. That plan is the Rosary Congress. A Rosary Congress is no less than the union of Our Lord in the Eucharist and Our Lady in the rosary. The format of the Diocesan Rosary Congresses varies somewhat depending on the need of the individual diocese, but, in its simplest form for seven days, it opens with a Mass; following the opening Mass, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration begins with a rosary prayed aloud every hour on the hour; lastly, there is a closing Mass. Since this week provides the time and opportunities to grow in relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist and make reparation to His Most Sacred Heart which is so offended, it is encouraged too, to provide opportunities for Confession, special Masses, Eucharistic processions, Marian processions, talks on the faith, talks of Mary, and the use of sacramentals in daily living such as the scapular, the Archconfraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, the Consecration of individuals and or the Family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Diocesan Rosary Congress unites Our Lady, the New Ark, in the rosary and Jesus in the Eucharist for seven days. Does this sound even vaguely familiar?! In Joshua 6:1-20, we see Joshua carrying out the commands of the Lord. The priests carry the Ark of the Covenant leading the people daily around Jericho. Courageously, the Israelites carryout this mission with hope in the Lord for the successful overthrow of Jericho. It is, however, on the seventh day, when uniting their voices as one, following the Ark of the Covenant, encircling the city of Jericho, that the Israelites are successful in overcoming evil. When united in voice and prayer with the Ark in their midst, only then is evil defeated. Likewise, it is for seven days united with the New Ark, in the prayer of the rosary, that the evil of today is able to be defeated.

The simplicity of this plan is amazing. And yet, because of God’s grace, it is powerful! Therein lies the simplicity of Diocesan Rosary Congresses. Be not afraid. Prayerfully consider these words. Look over the website: rosarycongressusa.org. Reach out to us via the contact information on the website. Allow us to assist you in organizing your powerful week of prayer uniting Our Lord and Our Lady. This year’s suggested dates are October 1, First Saturday (as asked for by Our Lady of Fatima) and October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (Our Lady of Victory). Your diocese will be listed on the website of dioceses involved this year.

In Christ Jesus in the Eucharist through Our Victorious Queen,

Kristin Bird

President, Diocesan Rosary Congresses