Fifty years after a 1961 public Rosary gathered over half a million
people in San Francisco, a Catholic lay group is organizing the same
event for October of 2011.
Rally organizers told CNA on June 1 that "thousands" of Catholic faithful are expected.
On October 15, the Bay Area chapter of the Legion of Mary – an
international community of lay Catholics – will host their Family Rosary
Crusade. The event will be held in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza,
starting at noon.
The keynote address will be delivered by Father Andrew Apostoli,
C.F.R., a co-founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and a
well-known television presenter and author.
David Marten, head of the Legion’s board for the Archdiocese of San
Francisco, said that every year “the Legion of Mary tries to contribute
one significant event to the archdiocese.”
“This year, our object is to foster devotion to the Blessed Mother
and to Jesus Christ,” Marten said. “We hope we can accomplish this by
witnessing in a very public place.”
In the 1950s and 60s, Holy Cross priest Father Patrick Peyton led
Rosary events in countries across the globe.
This year marks the 50th
anniversary of the record-breaking 1961 Rosary Rally at the Polo Fields
in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
That event drew 550,000 people, making it one of the largest gatherings in the history of San Francisco.
Fr. Lawrence Goode, the Legion of Mary’s spiritual director, recalled
Fr. Peyton's charisma and personal character when he participated in
the 1961 event.
“In those days, we went door-to-door inviting people to attend the
rally,” Fr. Goode remembered. “Fr. Peyton was an amazing priest, a
friend of movie stars and celebrities, yet he always remained very
simple.”
Fr. Goode said that although the 2011 Rosary Crusade honors the work
of Fr. Peyton several decades ago, this year's event seeks to emphasize
the importance of prayer in today's world.
“You know, it was Fr. Peyton who popularized the phrase ‘the family
that prays together stays together.’ His idea is even more relevant
today than it was then.”