Religion

Last Updated on Sunday, 29 October 2017 02:14

By Jill Runfola

Each year, rosary rallies take place all across the country.

Monessen Epiphany Church Parishioner Sophia Janol crowns the Blessed Mother statue during a special ceremony at the Monessen rosary rally.

This year, Monessen’s annual rosary rally took place on Saturday, October 14 at noon at Monessen City Park on the walking track to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, which occurred on October 13, 1917, when 70,000 people experienced a miraculous event.

This event occurred after apparitions of the Blessed Mother appeared to three children several times. The people had flocked to Portugal after learning of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to the children - Lucia Santos and her cousins, Jacinta and Francisco Marto - and gave them secret messages, according to the head of Monessen event, Shirley Beneccio.

In her apparitions to the children, the Blessed Mother had multiple messages for them about the world. One was to pray the rosary every day and frequent the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.

Shirley Beneccio, parishioner, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and Eucharistic Minister at Epiphany of our Lord Church in Monessen led the rally for the 8th year at Monessen City Park. She said, “We’re praying for families and for the world as it is. We’re asking the Blessed Mother and Jesus for our cities, an end to abortion, and discernment and strength to withstand trials.”

The rally began with the song “Immaculate Mary” and continued with joyful, sorrowful, and glorious prayers and “The Hail Mary.”

The crowd at the rosary rally in Monessen City Park 2017 gathered together for a photo.

Beneccio, having restored statues in the past, found a good one of the Blessed Mother at the church and restored it. It will be going in the chapel, and is 3 ½ feet tall. They had the statue at the rally on display, too. In front for all to see, she was surrounded by flowers and a banner. A ceremonial crowning took place beforehand.

The goal set for 2017 was for 20,000 people to attend the rosary rallies; in fact, 21,500 people all over the US attended one. About 50 people took part in Monessen City Park’s own rally.