by Andrew Koslosky KGCHS, Contributing Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) –The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe tells of Her appearance on the Hill of Tepeyac in Mexico City in 1531.  Our Lady appeared as a native woman, pregnant with a child. She came at a time of conflict between the Spanish and the indigenous people.

She chose to appear to a 57-year-old, widowed, Aztec Indian and farmer, named Juan Diego. Her purpose was clear, to offer a message of peace and comfort, to be a source of love, hope and strength, even when the world seemed upside-down and lost.

The Silver Rose was chosen to commemorate Her appearance and the “Miracle of the Roses.” Our Lady told Diego to go to the top of the hill and gather the flowers he would find there.

Upon arrival at the top, he found in the frozen earth a miraculous garden of roses not native to the area. He collected them and brought them to our Lady, who arranged them in his cloak and told him to take them to the bishop as the sign he had requested.  When Juan Diego arrived in front of the bishop, he opened his cloak, and the roses fell to the floor. At that moment, they both discovered something even more wondrous: a remarkable portrait of Our Lady was imprinted on the coarse fabric of the cloak.

St. Juan Diego presented the Blessed Virgin Mary’s image on his garments, to convince the local Bishop of her message.  A group of young men in Knights of Columbus Council 2312 in Monterrey, Mexico, came up with the idea of running a rose to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterrey, Mexico.

The rose was chosen to commemorate Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses, an important part of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The Silver Rose Pilgrimage has managed to grow each year since its inception on December 12, 1960.

The Pilgrimage starts in March, each year, and ends Dec. 12, on Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day.  Eight Silver Roses travel along different North American routes, starting in Canada, to every U.S. state, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and Mexico, before ending up at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterrey, Mexico.

This past Tuesday, in Pass Christian, Ms. at Holy Family Church, The Silver Rose made its annual appearance in our community.  Pastor Fr. Mike Austin welcomed Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III, Bishop of Biloxi, who led the community during this very special evening.

The program began at the St. Vincent de Paul School, where Our Lord, in the form of the Blessed Sacrament, led the Priests, Deacons, and Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, along with 90 children from the school in a procession to the Church.  The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, dressed in their regalia, provided the escort for procession. The Blessed Sacrament was placed on the altar of the Church and the Bishop led the completely filled church in Adoration.

After Adoration, it was then time for the entrance of the Silver Rose.  The Rose which was placed in a prominent location in front of Our Lady’s Statue on the altar.

The Children of the school then proceeded with the presentation of Roses.  Each child laid a single rose at the feet of our Blessed Mother. The Knights of Columbus and the children then proceeded to lead the congregation in The Rosary Prayer. After the final prayer, Bishop Kihneman celebrated The Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bishop Kihneman spoke of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe during his Homily.

He reminded us that our Blessed Mother is with us always, in the good times and the bad.  A memorable moment for many occurred when the Ladies of the Woman’s Auxiliary brought the gifts, Blue candles and Flowers forward during the Offertory Procession.   The evening concluded with the Bishop’s Blessing and a small reception in the Parish Center.

For one special evening, the unity of a community was on display, once again brought together by Our Loving Blessed Mother.