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Statue beams on Feast of the Holy Rosary Move over Mona Lisa. We have a new masterpiece. This one though is not created by man but by the stroke of God that captures the stunning beauty, grace and sweetness of nature’s solitary boast. This great gift from Heaven unfolded on October 7 during the Sunday Holy Hour when some faithful observed the statue smiling, including Vigil Coordinator, Vincent McDonnell and assistant, Perry Montemaro. Near the close of the Holy Hour more pilgrims noticed and after some ending prayers, this priceless photo was taken by Lorraine Zanzonico, Brooklyn, N.Y. organizer.
Lorraine explains, “When I was in line to kiss the crucifix (kissed by the Blessed Mother on Oct. 29, 1994), I first noticed Our Lady smiling. It made me feel so calm and peaceful. It was a beautiful experience. I understood this to mean that She was happy with the work of everyone, with the praying of the Rosaries and the spreading of the message.” With America still grieving from perhaps the worst terror attack in history and the war in Afghanistan to be declared shortly after this momentous Holy Hour, there was not a lot to be happy about. Nonetheless, our gracious Mother found the occasion to share Her appreciation and gratitude for all Bayside devotees. Our Lady is recognizing our heart and dedication. She knows the abuse, the persecution, the struggle and the stigma we have endured for Her desperate cause of the latter days. (Conversely, we know the boundless grace received through Her hands.) We may not be perfect–in fact it seems perhaps we fail too often–but Our Lady is looking beyond that and admires our gutsy perseverance and deep abiding faith in Her Mission.
That precious countenance you see above comes with a wink and a thumbs up that says: “Yeess! Good job. Keep going. I know it’s tough but hang in there.” Our Lady needs us to be Her hands and feet and mouthpiece in this world. The Blessed Mother cannot appear to everyone so our role as apostles takes on a great urgency and meaning: “We have great dependence on all disciples chosen in these latter days. . . . The Message from Heaven must reach every corner of the earth before the end of the era” (Our Lady, June 18, 1979). Naturally, Our Lady is very pleased with the prayers of reparation of the Rosary Vigils and Sunday Holy Hours. It was not by accident that this treasure was given on the Feast of the Holy Rosary. And here at this outdoor Shrine, thousands of Rosaries, many prayed under severe weather conditions like snow, cold, rain and heat, rise each year from this “center of atonement” (Sept. 7, 1974) to the throne of the Eternal Father begging for mercy for a perverse generation (Acts 2.40). Besides the Mass, is there any prayer more powerful and pleasing to Heaven?!
Vincent adds, “Like Lepanto, the Rosary is the answer to war. Plus this smile also proves that Her presence is real. We are not praying to a statue, but to the Mother of God Who is alive and active on these sacred grounds.” Certainly Our Lady knows the immeasurable value of these prayer services that help hold back the heavy hand of the Father whose patience is running out: “The balance for your nation and your state, My child, lies with the prayers that come to Us from your country and the world” (Sept. 7, 1974). After Sept. 11, Our Lady was surely pleased with our response too. Here’s some highlights: • Offered two vigils as a special memorial for the thousands of victims and their families and friends • Offered the Holy Hour for peace in the world (for three months) • Ordered Gregorian Masses (30 consecutive days, celebrated Nov. 1-Nov. 30) for the repose of the souls of the victims of terror • Printed 210,000 Attack on America, HST #12 • Reported and evangelized at Ground Zero for our website, newsletter and national radio program And so between the prayers and good works there is a lot to ease the pain of Our Holy Mother and even to bring out that beautiful, soft and mystical smile that could melt the coldest heart. Indeed, it was a similar striking countenance that stunned Fr. Robert Skurla, former international Blue Army chaplain, in June last year at the 31st Anniversary Vigil. The good Father explains, “As I approached the inner circle of the sacred grounds and saw the Blessed Mother, I looked towards the statue and said, ‘Hi, Mary, here I am.’ The Blessed Mother gave me the biggest, brightest smile I have ever seen. “To me it means that the Blessed Mother is pleased with all those involved with St Michael’s World Apostolate.” (Father will be speaking in June at the 32nd Anniversary Banquet.) May this warm and compassionate smile of our Blessed Mother always stand as a radiant sign of hope and encouragement as you follow your special calling as a disciple of the latter days. |
