Rosary Crusade 2014

Harrod's had a special visitor on Saturday!

Thousands of fervent faithful followed the little statue of Our Lady of Fatima through the streets of London bringing religion very firmly into the public square.  Throughout the hour and a half procession, the Rosary (all 15 decades!) was prayed and hymns in honour of Our Lady were sung.  Despite ominous weather forecasts earlier in the week, the procession took place in glorious sunshine with many complaining that it was too warm!  It's amazing what a little prayer can do...

The procession ended at the Brompton Oratory where an hour of hymns and prayers to our Lady and Our Lord was crowned by Solemn Benedication celebrated by Fr Christopher Andrews, OSB with Frs Ronald Creighton-Jobe and Rupert McHardy of the Oratory assisting.  Fr John Hunwicke of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham gave a thoughtful Sermon on Our Lady of Victories, recalling the naval victory of Lepanto which was won by the power of the Holy Rosary.  The beautiful Lady chapel in the Oratory reflects this theme as the altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories and has statues of the Dominican Saints, Pope Pius V and Rose of Lima.

Our Lady was accompanied by many young flower girls and altar boys and was hoisted high by the members of the Catholic Police Guild.  The Knights of Malta were well represented, as were the Knights of Our Lady and the Brothers of the Little Oratory and we were thankful for the support of the dedicated priests who accompanied the procession, Fr. Simon Leworthy, Fr Rupert McHardy, Fr John Hunwicke and Fr Christopher Andrews, OSB.

See you next year?