Mary, her life and humility
On Saturday, May 16, the Diocese of Saint Petersburg celebrated its eighth annual Marian Congress in honor of Bishop Parkes’ consecration of the Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Congress began with a series of marian talks by guest speakers. Amongst these, a priest of the Heralds of the Gospel shed light on the life of Mary Most Holy.
Helping, thus, to illustrate Our Blessed Mother’s humility and how her life and example are what we must aspire and so glorify God most perfectly. Additionally, the faithful were encouraged to cultivate a true devotion to Mary and be disposed to defend Her, as genuine children would with their mother.
Eucharistic Adoration and Relics of Saints
The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in Adoration, for the participants to benefit from Our Lord´s Real Presence. Alongside to this recollection, the priests heard confessions of those who wished.
Relics of various saints were also brought to the Marian Congress. A great opportunity for all to touch and venerate our models in conquering the path of virtue.
Rosary Procession with the Pilgrim Statue
Towards the end, a Rosary Procession was led by the Heralds with the Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady of Fatima. It was a multilingual rosary at the end of which the faithful processed into the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle.
Holy Mass and Crowning of Mary
At the Cathedral the Holy Mass for the Vigil of the Ascension of Our Lord was celebrated by the priest of the Heralds of the Gospel and concelebrated by Rev. Thomas Morgan and Rev. Anthony “Tony” Fortunato, O. de M.. Concluding the Marian Congress, at the end of Holy Mass the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady was solemnly crowned by Father Tom Morgan, rector of the Cathedral.
All photos credit to the Office of Communications of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
Read the article of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, here.