The Voices of Millions praying for Priests 3 June 2016

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1 Pontifical University of the Holy Cross - School of Church Communications 10 th Professional Seminar for Church Communication Offices Participation and sharing: managing Church communication in a digital environment Rome, April 26-28, 2016 The Voices of Millions praying for Priests 3 June 2016 Address by Marion Mulhall Founder and CEO of Worldpriest Having been a successful entrepreneur in the advertising world of business for some 25 years mainly as an Advertising Executive\Creative Art director our National and International client base was serving the cooperate, medical, religious, tourism industry, Stud Farm promotions to the much respected Irish Horse racing Industry better known as the sport of Kings globally. A PERSONAL RESPONSE TO A PERSONAL VOCATION Embarking on a mission of vocation to PROMOTE THE PRIESTHOOD AT ANY PRICE, following a weekend retreat on 15 January The fruits of this historic weekend have, since then, produced a rich harvest of prayerful support for priests worldwide. I was invited in January of 1994 by the late Monsignor Andrew Cusack to make my first visit to the USA to address his conference for bishops and priests each evening during their summer programme organised by the International Institute for Ongoing Clergy Formation, then held at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. Additional Episcopal doors opened for me when I met the late Cardinal John O Connor of New York who gave his blessing and support to WorldPriest. This support continues today with Cardinal Timothy Dolan a good friend to the WorldPriest and our global apostolate. WHO ARE WORLDPRIEST WorldPriest are a lay organisation of professional communications people formed in 2003 to Affirm the dignity, beauty and gift of the Priesthood of Jesus - 1/5 -

2 Christ to Humanity. I felt inspired to respond to Saint John Paul's announcement of a World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests to be celebrated on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, by developing In fact I could never understand why such a day of celebration had not existed. This announcement which I received with much joy was the springboard for the Apostolate. WORLDPRIEST MISSION STATEMENT WorldPriest was established to provide for the advancement of the Catholic faith by developing and maintaining a central resource website which allows us to support the various aspects of the priestly ministry, facilitate the renewal and strengthening of the Catholic faith worldwide especially with our Annual Global Rosary Relay for priests. This WorldPriest website has one aim - to unite priests and laity so that everyone can come into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. We want WorldPriest to be a place where you get answers to questions of faith, where you can find information on Church teaching, resources to support our priests, prayers for all occasions and together we will discover the truth of our faith - that God loves us, he provides for us and is with us in every situation. THE MIRACLE OF THE GLOBAL ROSARY RELAY Following an inspiration from Our Lady on the Rosary of 20 countries, 20 mysteries in 2010 and after a very short time of discernment, the WorldPriest team of professional and voluntary people became the developers and the inspiration behind the Annual Global Rosary Relay for the Sanctification of Priests. The idea is a simple one: each of the participating shrines around the world prays a particular mystery of the Rosary at a particular half hour in thanksgiving to God for our priests and to implore the protection and loving care of Our Lady, Mother of all priests, for all her priestly sons. At midnight on the Annual Global Rosary Relay day, which falls on the feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, the entire world, is encircled in prayer for our priests. The Annual Global Rosary Relay Day for the Sanctification of Priests, has quickly become one of the largest gatherings of a world at prayer for one purpose, one prayer, one intention our priests. It was the great Irish priest Fr. Patrick Peyton (who blessed me when I was only two days old) but who never tired of saying that: 'The Family that prays together - 2/5 -

3 stays together.' As the family of the Church, you are all invited to join your prayers to the prayers of millions throughout the world on 3 June I will share some wonderful stories to illustrate the success of the Global Rosary Relay from Siberia (Lady with Rosary Beads) to Ferns Ireland (Diocesan Campaign of action) to Guatemala Central America a miracle story. All existing participating Shrines are extending their planning both locally and Nationally leading up to 3 June. This year the 7 th year over 100 shrines dedicated to Our Lady in some 50 countries are participating for example the Czech Republic, Puerto Rico both live TV Broadcasts via our partners EWTN are joining for the first time with many more in the pipe line so to speak. Should your local Shrine not be listed to participate please talk with me over the next three days in order to have as many as possible participate as a great gift to Our lady and her priestly sons. WHAT MAKES THE EVENT SO SUCCESSFUL The utilisation of social media, with our partners Holy Cross Family Ministries EWTN ( Global TV Network) who have presented many global and national TV broadcasts possible also to radio and the entire communications media. The global movement from dawn to dusk. Sweeping all over the world. Suggestions of how to promote. See Website Suggestions of how to participate. See Website How to pray on the day. Outline. See website. The enthusiasm which is so vey tangible with all people worldwide for where ever you are located you can join in prayer or choose the Shrine of your choice to join in pray with or join via TV, Radio and online. I quote Pope now Saint John Paul II, 8 March /5 -

4 "Today... I am handing you the Rosary beads. Through prayer and meditation on the mysteries, Mary leads you safely towards her Son! Do not be ashamed to recite the Rosary alone, while you walk along the streets to school, to the university or to work, or as you commute by public transport. Adopt the habit of reciting it among yourselves, in your groups, movements and associations. Do not hesitate to suggest that it be recited at home... because it rekindles and strengthens the bonds between family members. This prayer will help you to be strong in your faith, constant in charity, joyful and persevering in hope." MAJOR NEW GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ) Join a very special event by praying the Rosary at local time in St.Peter s Square, Rome on 3 June Throughout this Jubilee Year of Mercy the rosary is being prayed daily at local time in St. Peter s Square in Rome. On 1 3 June a Jubilee for Priests commences in the Vatican, marking a time of retreat for priests, given by Pope Francis. This three -day event closes on the evening of 3 June, the feast of the Sacred Heart, with the Annual Global Rosary Relay for the Sanctification of Priests, which is always held on this feast day. What a gift from Our Lady she had it all organised all we had to do was to collaborate with the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation, we do pray this great prayer event may also be a live TV Broadcast worldwide. Mark the end of this retreat time for our priests by praying the rosary in St. Peter s Square, or join in spiritually from wherever you are with people young and old alike. Unite your prayers with the prayers of millions of others for this intention. We also pray especially for Pope Francis, who has imparted his Apostolic Blessing to this unique global event. His Holiness Benedict XVI also wrote a beautiful for priests especially for the Global Rosary Relay as the connecting link of prayer between each praying location. Our theme line; Pray the Rosary, unite with your country and help encircle the world in prayer. - 4/5 -

5 HOW YOU COULD BE OF HELP 2) Become a contributor to the website or benefactor as we are a not-for- profit organisation. 3) Take advertising space on or on our newsletter 4) So like us on Face Book, sign up for our free newsletter, hear the good news also by linking on your website. 5) Place a link on you website. 6) Please share the promotional material available to inform you further. 7) I am present for the entire conference should any one wish to discuss any aspect of the Worldpriest Apostolate. 8) Please pray for the Worldpriest Apostolate daily, we need your prayers. 9) Thank you and God Bless you all. - 5/5 -