Archdiocese of San Francisco / Facebook
CV NEWS FEED // Thousands gathered at the annual Bay Area Rosary Rally in San Francisco on October 12. This year, the theme was “Our Lady Who Unites All Peoples.”
The Archdiocese of San Francisco’s website states that this year, the rally was combined with the Mass for All Immigrants. Catholics from the Hispanic, Chinese, Filipino, Nigerian, Black Catholic, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Myanmar, Korean, Polish/Slavic, Arab-American, and Maronite communities of San Francisco attended the Mass in native dress.
In the welcoming message for the event, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said, “The Archdiocese of San Francisco is a microcosm of the Catholic Church, united by the same teachings of our Lord and worship amidst our diverse tongues and cultures.”
He added that the theme reflects “our love and concern for all immigrants in our Archdiocese.” The theme was also a response to Pope Francis’ invitation at the 110th World Day for Migrants and Refugees on September 29.
The Mass included music from the Mass of the Americas, which was commissioned by Archbishop Cordileone and composed by Frank La Rocca as a tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The music is sung in English, Spanish, Latin, and Nahuatl — the Aztec language that St. Juan Diego spoke with Our Lady of Guadalupe.
During his homily, Archbishop Cordileone mentioned the sound of the Blue Angels’ U.S. Navy jet, which was performing outside the Cathedral. He reminded the faithful that the angels, like the military, protect man from evil. “Let us recall, though, what those who serve our nation in the Armed Forces do for us: They protect us from enemies who are trying to harm us. Is this not exactly what the angels do for us?”
He urged people to pray the Rosary, as it is the best defense against the attacks of the devil.
“By praying the Rosary, we meditate on the mysteries of our salvation, and ask Our Lady to intercede for us,” he said. “She will keep us on the path that leads us to her Son, she will constantly remind us that he is the one mediator, that there is no other way to the Father than through him.”
After Mass, the rally processed around the blocks surrounding the cathedral. Veronica Carillo, a parishioner of Church of the Assumption of St. Mary in Tomales, drove her three sons from Santa Rosa, and her 12-year-old son Bradley altar-served at the Mass. “He couldn’t wait for the Rosary Rally Mass,” she said, adding that he already knows that he wants to become a priest.
The day also featured an ethnic food festival featuring different cuisines, live music, and dance performances, and charities in the Diocese staffed information booths.
