Rosary Crusade 2009
A French Abbot led the 25th Annual National Rosary Crusade this year and declared that they have nothing like it in France. In fact, it would be hard to find a public procession of this size passing through the streets of a major city anywhere in Western Europe. Between 1800 and 2000 people joined this year's procession according to the Metropolitan Police.
At Fatima, in 1917, Our Lady said "God wishes to establish in the World devotion to my Immaculate Heart." For the 25th time, the Rosary Crusade of Reparation took this message to the streets of London. Mgr. Emmanuel-Marie de St. Jean, Abbot of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse, led the procession from Westminster Cathedral through Belgrave Square, then north on Sloane Street before turning left on Brompton Road, past Harrods and the fashionable Knightsbridge shops towards its final destination, the Church of the Immaculate Heart, home of the London Oratory of St. Philip Neri. Past the houses of the rich and famous, the embassies of Finland and Germany, and the shops of Sloane Street, Our Lady of Fatima was borne on her bed of flowers by the members of the Catholic Police Guild, accompanied by lovely flower girls in white. Passers-by blessed themselves as they recognised what was happening. One well-dressed lady rushed out of Harrods into the heart of the procession to kiss a crucifix held by one of the pilgrims before continuing on her way. Banners fluttering in the breeze, the army of prayer burst into the heart of Knightbridge, stopping traffic and pedestrians alike. "Ave, ave, ave Maria" rose above the noise of the mighty city; many pilgrims waving their hymn books in honour of the Queen of Heaven. Soon the procession swept into the mighty church of the Oratorians and every seat was full.
"Hail Queen of Heaven" greeted Our Lady as she made her way into the sanctuary. Fr Julian Large, one of the Fathers of the London Oratory, welcomed the pilgrims to the Church of the Immaculate Heart, pointing out the beautiful statue of Our Lady of Victories in the wonderful 17th century Dominican Altar which graces the Church. It was in the Paris church of Notre Dame des Victoires in 1836 that the popular devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary really began. Fr Schofield, a Parish Priest in Uxbridge, spoke on the theme of Our Lady as Mother of Priests and compared the role of the priest with the mission of Our Lady. The Fatima Prayers followed, as did other prayers and hymns, and the Consecration to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Abbot of Lagrasse then gave a short address indicating how happy he, and the sub-Prior (Fr. Augustin-Marie de la Trinité), were to be joining the Crusade in London for the first time. Then, to the singing of the Fatima Hymn, Our Lady left the main sanctuary for the Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, thousands of pilgrims waving her good bye in imitation of the familiar scenes in Fatima.
To Jesus, through Mary; so, as Our Lady left the sanctuary, the Abbot and priests entered for Solemn Pontifical Benediction, the Abbot looking magnificent in the Newman mitre. After the singing of the Salve Regina at the Lady Altar, the Abbot and priests departed to a rousing chorus of that wonderful Faber hymn, in Faber's Church, "Faith of Our Fathers." C'est magnifique!
