Rosary Rallies point to triumph of Mary’s heart

Thousands of Catholics throughout the United States stopped to heed Our Lady’s plea to turn to God in prayer and believe in the inevitable triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart.

More than 20,000 Public Rosary in the Square Rallies were held in conspicuous locations — including along busy thoroughfares in Boonville, Columbia, Indian Creek, Jefferson City, Linn, Pilot Grove, Shelbina, Taos and other communities — on Oct. 14.

These Rosary Rallies were organized by members of a national Catholic organization called America Needs Fatima, which promotes the Blessed Mother’s vision of peace through prayer and conversion and acts of reparation.

It was 100 years and one day after skeptics and believers alike witnessed the Miracle of the Sun during the last of Our Lady’s miraculous apparitions to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal.

“One hundred years ago, God called for the Blessed Mother to appear to those three little children,” said Monsignor Donald W. Lammers, a retired priest of the Jefferson City diocese, during a Rosary Rally on the South Lawn of the State Capitol.

“Her messages centered on conversion of heart, turning away from sin and toward God, and praying the Rosary every day,” he said.

About 65 people at the Jefferson City rally took part in a procession from St. Peter Church to the Capitol lawn, then prayed for over two hours in the sun.

“This rally is in honor of our Blessed Mother,” said Felicia Anunoby, a member of St. Peter parish, who helped organize this year’s rally.

“We are here to meditate on the mysteries in reparation for sin and in pleading with God to help America return to Him and for all to have conversion in our various and different lives,” she said.

They prayed the Total Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the “Angelus,” the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, the Litany of the Blessed Mother and other prayers and devotions.

Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus in full regalia served as the honor guard.

People stopped to look and listen while driving or walking around the Capitol Circle, or while going into and out of the Capitol.

Gusty wind sent waves through the grass and the plumes of the Knights’ hats.

“Wind is better than rain!” Mrs. Anunoby stated.

Volunteers handed out rosaries and literature on how and why to pray the Rosary.

Father Richard Frank, a retired priest of the diocese, blessed the rosaries.

“God has blessed us with this beautiful day,” he said. “And Mary wants nothing but to lead us closer to her Son.”

Fr. Frank noted that in Fatima, as has been the case with most of her known apparitions throughout history, Mary chose not to speak to the rich and powerful.

“Rather, she always shows concern for the poor, the lowly, the humble,” he said.

She entrusted the three shepherd children with a simple but important message for the whole world: turn away from sin, do penance, and pray.

And as is the case throughout all references to her in the Bible, she pointed to Christ, urging people to believe in Him and “do whatever He tells you to do.”

“Good will prevail”

Near the end of the Rosary Rally at the Capitol, Art Boeckmann and Ronald Adams led the praying of the prayer composed for the Seeking Christ for Our Nation Masses that are offered throughout the diocese.

“Come to our aid as we seek a return to the morals and standards upon which our country was founded, and to those which are more pleasing to You,” the people prayed together.

Msgr. Lammers noted that back in 1917, word spread quickly of the Blessed Mother’s apparitions to the children on the 13th day of each month.

An estimated 70,000 people were present on Oct. 13, 1917. A torrential rainstorm gave way to a rending of the clouds.

One of the young visionaries gazed up into the sky and said, “Look! The Sun!”

“And thousands of people saw what came to be known as the Miracle of the Sun,” said Msgr. Lammers. “Some said it was spinning, some said it was pulsing back and forth, some said it was moving toward them or in other directions.”

In spite of the frightful things they had seen and experienced, Mary reassured the visionaries, “in the end, my Immaculate Heart shall triumph.”

“I have faith that together with prayers and saying the Rosary, good will prevail over evil,” said Mrs. Anunoby. “I believe that with our reliance on the mother of God, we will be safe under the protection of her maternal mantle.”