Mary's Blessing: October Devotion 2011: Activities @ SJMV Parish

In a letter dated September 1, 1883, Pope Leo XIII, mindful of the Rosary's power to strengthen faith and foster a life of virtue, outlined the triumphs of the Rosary in past times and admonished the faithful to dedicate the month of October to the Blessed Virgin through the daily recitation of her Rosary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, in order to obtain through her intercession the grace that God would console and defend His Church in her sufferings. Read more October Devotion: The Holy Rosary

October Devotion Activities in St. John Mary Vianney Parish.

October Devotion in our Parish starts last week of September and ends on the last Sunday of October. Staple activities for this month includes the Enthronement of Our Lady of the Rosary, Novena, Living Rosary and Procession. A separate article has been written on the Enthronement Activity, see link. The October Devotion is held every year through the efforts of the Worship Ministry, in cooperation with Apostolado ng Panalangin and Legion of Mary (although all ministries within the Parish take part in the month long celebration).

Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval

Novena this year started on September 28th and ended on October 6th. It is held right after the 6 am mass.

TO THE QUEEN OF THE HOLY ROSARY Queen of the most holy Rosary, in these times of such brazen impiety, manifest thy power with the signs of thine ancient victories, and from thy throne, whence thou dost dispense pardon and graces, mercifully regard the Church of thy Son, His Vicar on earth, and every order of clergy and laity, who are sore oppressed in the mighty conflict. Do thou, who art the powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy, even though the hour of God's justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men. For me who am the least of men, kneeling before thee in supplication, do thou obtain the grace I need to live righteously upon earth and to reign among the just in heaven, the while in company with all faithful Christians throughout the world, I salute thee and acclaim thee as Queen of the most holy Rosary:

Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.

Sis Florie guiding Sis Luz in the flow of the Novena. A reflection lifted from Pope John Paul II's writings is used for each mystery.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Pray for us!

From L-R: San Lorenzo Ruiz, the First Filipino Saint whose feast is celebrated every 28th of September; Students present for their Confirmation; the Parish's image of the Immaculate Heart being cleaned at the Cinerarium.

I have two altar decorations in mind, the first one on the left side is one huge garland hanging in front of the the altar with asymmetrical floral arrangement at both sides; the second one is inspired from La Naval's throne in Sto. Domingo, the floral decoration of the Baldachin, although relatively smaller in comparison.

From day 1 to day 9. The Mother Butler Guild did a good job in ensuring that Our Lady's throne in the Parish is decorated beautifully throughout the month of October. Chapel/Communities comprising the Parish sponsored the flowers throughout the month.

TO OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY O Virgin Mary, grant that the recitation of thy Rosary may be for me each day, in the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial piety, a sweet refreshment, an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of duty. Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary, that the study of thy fifteen mysteries may form in my soul, little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening, and fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding, my will, my heart, my memory, my imagination, my whole being. So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work, without the aid of formal prayers, by interior acts of admiration and of supplication, or by aspirations of love. I ask this of thee, O Queen of the holy Rosary, through Saint Dominic, thy son of predilection, the renowned preacher of thy mysteries, and the faithful imitator of thy virtues. Amen.

In 1571 Pope Pius V instituted "Our Lady of Victory" as an annual feast to commemorate the victory in the Battle of Lepanto. The victory was attributed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as a rosary procession had been offered on that day in St. Peter's Square in Rome for the success of the mission of the Holy League to hold back Muslim forces from overrunning Western Europe. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII changed the title of this feast-day to "Feast of the Holy Rosary". This feast was extended by Pope Clement XII to the whole of the Latin Rite, inserting it into the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1716, and assigning it to the first Sunday in October. Pope Pius X changed the date to 7 October in 1913, as part of his effort to restore celebration of the liturgy of the Sundays. Read more Our Lady of the Rosary

At 5 am in the morning, the devotees of Our Lady gathered in the Parish to start praying the rosary. After each mystery Marian Songs were sung, "Harana para kay Maria."

After praying the rosary, the Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Dong who gave a touching homily on the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary. His first question to everyone would be, where is your rosary?

The Rosary and The Eucharist

Our version of La Naval's Beso Mano tradition. In place of the ivory icons of Our Lady and her Son are the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Apostolado ng Panalagin members are devotees of the Twin Hearts. Also, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary this year falls on the First Friday of the month. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Members of the Legion of Mary and Apostolado ng Panalangin

Members of the Legion of Mary and Apostolado ng Panalangin...after the morning celebration, the group went to Jollibee for breakfast.

Devotion and Consecration...

This year, the Living Rosary was held in cooperation with the Youth Ministry. Members of the Youth were asked to be the beads of the rosary.

Another beautifully decorated altar c/o MBG...

From the anticipated mass to the lighting of the candles forming the rosary...

Views from both ends of the Parish. Near the altar are the individuals who are the beads forming the rosary; In the choir loft (where I was also seated) are the choir members (from Katarungan).

The "X" marks the spot! Place holder for candles...We used to have a huge rosary with Styrofoam beads as guides, this is more practical, economical and earth friendly...

After the Living Rosary, agape...best fried chicken ever!

After the Worship Ministry, dropped by the altar to be inspired...

O Queen of the most holy Rosary: with hearts full of confidence we earnestly beseech you to bless the Crusade of the Family Rosary. From you came the grace to begin it. From you must come the grace to win souls to it. We beg you to bless this Crusade so that from every home the incense of this prayer will daily rise before you, O admirable Mother.

It was sunny, it was rainy...that's how one can describe the weather last Sunday. But based from experience, all we need is faith and everything will turn out okay. I guess you can say that this is part of the La Naval tradition. It will appear that it will rain cats and dogs but it will soon end or wait for the procession to end before it pours.

Carroza design literally went down the drain...roses are sooo expensive and sold not even by the dozen, 10 pieces per bundle. Not much pink roses available in the market as well. Thus I looked back again at La Naval's Baldachin floral arrangements as inspiration...

From L-R: San Jose, escorting Mary; Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval being transferred from her Altar to her carroza; Sacristans awaiting the start of the procession

Procession Starts...

Our Lady of the Rosary exiting the Parish

This year, the procession stops in 5 houses each sponsoring one of the Glorious Mysteries, similar to the "Stations of the Cross." In each household, a passage from the bible is read (pertaining to the mystery) afterwards the recitation of a decade (for the mystery).

The Glorious Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries reveal the mediation of the great Virgin, still more abundant in fruitfulness. She rejoices in heart over the glory of her Son triumphant over death, and follows Him with a mother's love in His Ascension to His eternal kingdom; but, though worthy of Heaven, she abides a while on earth, so that the infant Church may be directed and comforted by her "who penetrated, beyond all belief, into the deep secrets of Divine wisdom" (St. Bernard)...... Pope Leo XIII

"Fear not ye! For I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here. For he is risen, as he said".The rains started to pour while praying "the decade" for the first mystery. But it did not last long...afterwards the sun shone brightly. Thanks be to God!

This is not rain, this is a blessing from Heaven...

Moving on to the second mystery...And he said to them, "Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do reasonings come up in your hearts? see my hands and my feet, that I am he; handle me and see, because a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me having." And having said this, he shewed to them the hands and the feet. ... "And, lo, I do send the promise of my Father upon you, but ye -- abide ye in the city of Jerusalem till ye be clothed with power from on high." And he led them forth without -- unto Bethany, and having lifted up his hands he did bless them, and it came to pass, in his blessing them, he was parted from them, and was borne up to the heaven.

O Queen of Homes: by the power of the Rosary we beseech you to embrace all the members of our family in the love of your Immaculate Heart. May you abide with us and we with you, praying to you while you pray for us. May you preside in our homes as once you did at Nazareth with Jesus and Joseph, filling them with the holiness of your presence and inspiration.

Four different views of Our Lady...

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

St. Joseph, beloved spouse of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus, pray for us!

And there were clear skies...Mama Mary thank you!

Blessed art thou of the most high God above all the women upon the earth; and blessed be the Lord God, which hath created the heavens and the earth, which hath directed thee to the cutting off of the head of the chief of our enemies. ... Thou hast done all these things by thine hand: thou hast done much good to Israel, and God is pleased therewith: blessed be thou of the Almighty Lord for evermore. And all the people said, So be it.

Moving from one subdivision to another...

Towards the last stretch of the procession...

The last Glorious Mystery...There appeared a great sign in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Salve Regina

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae:

Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clamamus, exsules, filii Hevae.

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes

in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, Advocata nostra,

illos tuos misericordes oculos

ad nos converte.

Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,

nobis, post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens: O pia: O dulcis

Virgo Maria.

O Queen of Peace: it is you who have placed the Rosary in our hands. It is you who bid us to recite it daily. By the power of the Family Rosary we beseech you to obtain peace for uspeace within our hearts, our homes, our country and throughout the world. Through the daily recitation of the Family Rosary we beg you to keep sin from our souls, enmities from our hearts and war from our shores. By the graces received from the devotion of the Family Rosary we pray to be made helpful to one another in following the paths of virtue so that we may be found worthy to be called children of your family, children of your home. Amen.