Portsmouth, United Kingdom (Monday, 10/27/2014, Gaudium Press) The Bishop of Portsmouth, His Excellency Philip Egan, has come with a creative approach to promote devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the month of October, traditionally dedicated to Mother God: ” Dear Friends, I am sure that this is the first time ever a Pastoral Letter from the Bishop has come with a free gift” the bishop starts cheerfully his Pastoral Letter. In fact, the letter was delivered to the faithful accompanied by a free CD on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
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| CD on the Rosary offered by the Diocese of Portsmouth – Photo Diocese of Portsmouth |
Bishop Egan recalled that the month of October is traditionally dedicated to Mary and highlighted the great graces and qualities of the Mother of God “she who gave birth to Jesus Christ, the Saviour Whose life, death and resurrection has divided human history into a ‘before’ and an ‘after.’ Mary of Nazareth was the perfect mother for God the Son Incarnate and a model mother for us… No wonder Mary is the best loved member of the Church! No wonder Christians ever seek her powerful intercession! No wonder the Eastern liturgy acclaims her: “O sanctified Temple, O mystical Paradise, .. in You, Woman full of Grace, all creation rejoices!”5
The bishop announced that after Mass, the CD, “The Holy Rosary”, will be given as a gift to all present and he said: “(I) encourage you to use this CD often, perhaps especially when driving – though do drive safely! It will help you reflect on the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the Catholic faith, for the CD contains the Rosary… For centuries, the Rosary has helped Christians grow in the spiritual life. It is a deeply scriptural prayer, as Pope Pius XII said, the “compendium of the entire Gospel”.
Star of the New Evangelization
Bishop Egan also mentioned that his Episcopal coat of arms includes a star which represents the Blessed Virgin, “Mary Immaculate (is) the principle Patron and Leader7 of our Diocese. She is the Star of the Sea, guiding us across the tumultuous waters of life, the seven points representing her seven sorrows and seven joys. She is also Star of the New Evangelisation, the one who leads everyone to Jesus her Son, the Good News for Whom every human heart yearns.8 In the weeks ahead, I invite you to contemplate Mary, that Stella Matutina or Morning Star, filled with the joy of the Gospel, guiding people to Christ. Indeed, as you pray the Rosary, pray especially that the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit may disturb the hearts of those with little or no faith, that all may come to know, serve and love Jesus Christ in the full communion of His Body, the Church”.
He noted that “Prayers through Mary never fail, so call often on her powerful help. I hope you will find the CD useful.11 But why not install a Marian statue or icon in your home? Or hang a rosary from the rear-view mirror in your car? Or in the appropriate season, sing the Salve Regina at the end of Mass?”
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| Bishop of Portsmouth, Philip Egan, explains the importance of the rosary – Photo Diocese of Portsmouth |
“The Church in our time is calling us to an evangelisation “new in its ardour, new in its methods and new in its expression”. This is why we need enormous creativity. In this, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, Temple of the Spirit, is our paradigm and help, leading us from the front, sharing the joy of the Gospel” he concluded.
With information from the Diocese of Portsmouth.
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