Dear Friends of the Rosary Congress,

It was my pleasure to host and support, for the second year, the Diocesan Rosary Congress in the Diocese of St Augustine, Florida. Our faithful came so beautifully to adore our Lord and so constantly to pray the rosary to our Holy Mother at every hour for 8 days and nights in 10 parishes across our diocese.

Our affection for our Mother is so endearing that we begin our Rosary Congress at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche where we were joined by many prayer groups as well a college students’ retreat group. A banner, which was commissioned for the Congress, travels from parish to parish to highlight the presence of this special blessing.

In this most challenging year of pandemic, loss, separation, and division, the thirst for the comfort of Our Lord and the Blessed Mother has been powerful. Healing follows the yearning for God’s grace and mercy, when acted upon through prayer. This timely and deeply engaging opportunity for prayer and reparation surely honors the hearts of Jesus and Mary and brings a clarity that these challenges are met spiritually.

In a world so dependent on technology and self-indulgent diversions the Rosary Congress offers a renewal of devotion to our Lord through Adoration, to Our Lady through the Holy Rosary and it provides such peace to the many that participated.

I happily endorse this practice and wish other dioceses participate in the Rosary
Congress to bring about the spiritual conversion our time surely needs for God’s glory and our salvation. I am

Sincerely yours,
Most Reverend Felipe J. Estevez, S.T.D. Bishop of St. Augustine