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| Each parish in the Diocese of Madison will be receiving at least 250 of these bumper stickers courtesy of the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The idea for the bumper stickers came out of last year’s Hearts United Rosary Rally. (Contributed photo) |
MADISON — The third annual Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Serve, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), will take place from June 21 to July 4.
According to the USCCB, it’s “a time when our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power: St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the first martyrs of the Church of Rome.”
The theme of this year’s fortnight will focus on the freedom to serve the poor and vulnerable in accord with human dignity and the Church’s teaching.
Praying the Rosary
One way to actively pray during the fortnight is through a devotion to Mary, including praying the Rosary. Mary as the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of the United States.
An apostolate, based in Milwaukee, is doing its part to urge everyone to pray the Rosary.
This summer, as you’re driving to work, running errands, or coming home after a long day, you might see its reminder to pray the Rosary and pray hard.
Bumper stickers
Each parish in the Diocese of Madison will be receiving at least 250 bumper stickers that say “Help America Pray the Rosary.”
The bumper stickers are courtesy of the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate founded more than 10 years ago in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
“The apostolate is a call to holiness by contemplating the face of Jesus with Mary,” said founder Dick Boldin, “through the promotion and praying of the holy Rosary.
“The goal is to help bring peace to the world and society, to foster and preserve Christian family values, and to help the faithful rediscover Christ in the Holy Eucharist and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”
The idea for the bumper sticker came out of last year’s Hearts United Rosary Rally for peace and the family held in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Boldin said a couple contacted the apostolate with a proposal to make a Rosary bumper sticker, “which they felt God was calling them to act upon.”
With the approval and blessing of Archbishop Jerome Listecki, the bumper sticker was developed with funding from the anonymous couple. Distribution of the sticker was launched at the rally.
“The response has been very positive filled with enthusiasm with thousands distributed free throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and beyond,” said Boldin.
The bumper sticker features a Rosary in front of an American flag with the words “Help America Pray the Rosary” in large type.
Through the generosity of the original benefactors, as well as another who came forward, the stickers are being made available to dioceses across the country, including the Diocese of Madison, at no cost.
Information on the bumper sticker was mailed earlier this year to all the bishops in the U.S. “The response has been amazing,” Boldin said, with orders for more than 70,000 bumper stickers in the first two weeks.
‘A tidal wave of grace’
The USCCB features Marian devotions — including a prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas — as part of its Fortnight for Freedom resources.
“Although there is a definite spiritual crisis in our culture, we have hope in Jesus Christ through Our Lady to spiritually transform the nation and individuals and families,” said Boldin.
“It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit will stir up a tidal wave of grace to spread across the nation,” Boldin added, “to bring about a spiritual renewal which is so needed. We need to instill hope and joy in people’s hearts to foster peace and preserve the family. The U.S. needs this especially at this point in history.”
For more information on the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate, go to www.rosaryea.org For more information on Fortnight for Freedom, go to www.fortnight4freedom.org