A Rosary Procession is taking place at 12 o’clock/noon, on October 9, 2022.
Departure Point: W. Seminole Blvd with Oak Dr, Sanford, FL.
Plan on parking on Seminole Blvd.
What Is A Rosary March?
The Rosary procession is a march and a procession of honor. It is not a military event in the secular tradition but it is still a march of the faithful in the church militant in the fight against the evils of the world and to give courage to our brethren. It is meant to recognize and honor the Queenship of Our Lady of the Rosary (formerly Our Lady Queen of Victory). During this Sunday in October the faithful gather in a group at the appointed place and “process”. The procession is led by a priest who is immediately preceded by acolytes holding a crucifix aloft. At the vanguard, we see the Knights of Our Lady, many Scouts, and appropriate banners that help declare to all the importance of this event. Behind the priest and vanguard, the many faithful follow the statue of Our Lady which is in a float carried by four men entrusted and honored with the task.
Among the faithful we see many families, many of our school children in their school uniforms, many young men and women, many elderly, many singles, and many families and friends. The priest leads the faithful in reciting the fifteen decades of the rosary throughout the march. At appropriate breaks during the recitation, the choir leads the faithful in beautiful and prayerful hymns to add singing to the recognition of Our Lady (song sheets are given out to the faithful to help them join in).
Why Do We Do It?
Why do we march, why do we process? We do it in devotion and gratitude to Our Lady. We offer our prayers, the Rosary in recognition of her Queenship. We do it to ask Our Lady’s help in obtaining the necessary help to fight today’s battles, today’s “Lepantos” and others. Why recite the Rosary? because in the words of Pope Leo XIII, “(t)he heavenly Patroness of the human race will receive with joy these prayers and supplications, and will easily obtain that the good shall grow in virtue and that the erring should return to salvation and repent; and that God who is the avenger of crime, moved to mercy and pity may deliver Christendom and civil society from all dangers, and restore to the peace so much desired.” (Extract from Supremi Apostolatus Officio, Pope Leo XIII, 1883).
Should I Participate?
Yes! You don’t have to attend St. Thomas More, you can be a newcomer, a guest, a visitor, or a friend. There is no fee, no special dress requirement, and no cost, other than your time, energy, and prayer. We process and honor Our Lady publicly and privately. We do it privately because we love Our Lady and need Our Lady and because we want to join arms with that long line of Catholics going back thousands of years in time and thousands of miles in the distance who recited the Rosary in supplication and honor. We do it publicly because we want to recognize her Queenship and make that recognition public to others so that they gain strength and courage in knowing and seeing other faithful. We take up public space and help fulfill our Lord's words to evangelize -we do it not with words but with actions, with example. We demonstrate we are not embarrassed but rather, we are zealous to show our faith. We hope that by this small act of faith we may help in some small way to further the Church’s mission to save souls.
At the end of the procession, you may feel tired but joyful in the knowledge that you have accomplished something. You have recognized Our Lady and shown others the beauty of Our Lady and the strength of our faith. You hopefully have encouraged others who are looking and yearning for the peace of Our Lord through the love of Our Lady. Come and join us for the procession. Bring your family, your friends old and new. Most of all, bring yourself and your love for Our Lady and Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Where?
The march starts at 12 o’clock/noon starting from W Seminole Blvd with Oak Dr which cannot be reached this year directly from our church. Because of the flooded areas, you need to access W Seminole Blvd by French Ave or Highway 17. Plan on parking along Seminole Blvd. The procession follows the shores of Lake Monroe as we pray the fifteen decades of the Rosary. A total of about 1.6 miles round trip and about 45-60 minutes. The route is along a beautifully paved sidewalk and goes at a very slow pace to accommodate the float of Our Lady and those who carry it.
When?
The month of October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary in gratitude for her assistance in the battle of Lepanto, on October 7, 1571. This year, on October 9, we will gather for the start of the march/procession at 12 o’clock/noon at Oak Dr with W. Seminole Blvd, Sanford, FL. Most faithful make arrangements on this appointed Sunday to attend either the 0730 or the 0930 mass since the procession starts at noon, at the same time as the 12:00 mass. The 0930 mass is usually the favorite since it leaves just about the right amount of time after mass to gather everyone, take a restroom break (there is no restroom along the way), change the babies, get the right shoes, hats, and clothes for the procession. The procession takes approximately 45-60 minutes to complete after the start.
