August 8, 2014 Edition of TODAY'S CATHOLIC - Rural Parishes Section - Del Rio * Our Lady of Guadalupe *
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Del Rio – Fourth of July Celebration of Faith and Freedom at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
This year the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
called all the faithful to celebrate the third annual Fortnight for Freedom,
from June 21 to July 4, 2014.
This
year’s theme was: “Freedom to Serve”.
The Fortnight for Freedom is a call to
action, education and prayer for religious liberty, and conscience protection
rights, of faithful Catholics in the United States of America.
In keeping with this mandate issued by our bishops, the Legion of Mary
of the Del Rio Catholic Community sponsored the Fourth of July Celebration of
Faith and Freedom at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
The Bilingual Patriotic Rosary was recited at 11:00 a.m.
Patriotic songs
were led by Susan Perez.
Before the Rosary “America” was sung and after the
Rosary “America the Beautiful” was sung.
Alternating decades of the Rosary were
prayed in English and Spanish and each Hail Mary was prayed for the intention
for each of the 50 states of the United States of America.
After each decade of
the Rosary, a verse and refrain of “Mine Eyes Have the Glory – Battle Hymn of
the Republic” was sung.
After the Rosary
the “Litany for Liberty” and “Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty”
were prayed by the congregation.
Father Joaquin J. Rojas, M.N.M., Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church,
celebrated the Bilingual Independence Day Mass at 12 noon, assisted by Deacon
Juan Padilla.
After Mass there was First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
which remained exposed until 6:00 p.m. evening Mass.
Everyone was encouraged to spend some time during the afternoon, prayerfully
meditating on what God was calling each one of us to do, to preserve and protect
our faith and our freedom.
Free, blessed, Patriotic Rosaries were distributed to all who were in
attendance.
The Patriotic Rosaries were made with red, white and blue colored
beads.
According to custom and tradition, the colors red, white and blue have
signified: white – purity and innocence, red – hardiness and valor, blue –
vigilance, perseverance and justice.
Those in attendance were invited to take
the Patriotic Rosaries home and pray for these virtues to be what our country
and all its citizens stand for and represent.
There were two specially designated boards with pictures of those who
are currently serving in the military and those who have served in the
military.
We recalled in gratitude their
service to God and country and were reminded to keep them in our thoughts and
prayers.
God bless America!
Submitted by
Marian Casillas, Ed.D.