Digital Marian Helper Winter_2019

N otes from R ome By Fr. Joe Roesch, MIC Our plans include you—either in person or in prayer. One event we’re planning will be an International Congress for our lay associates. It will take place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lichen, in Lichen, Poland, Sept. 25-27, 2020. A weeklong pilgrimage will take place immediately following the Congress. We’ll visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa; Krakow (the Shrines of the Divine Mercy and of St. John Paul II); Wadowice (the birthplace of St. John Paul II); Pode- grodzie (the birthplace of St. Stanislaus); Warsaw; Gora Kalwaria (the Shrine of St. Stanislaus Papczyn- ski); the Marian Forest, where the Marians began their religious life; and Gozlin (one of the oldest Marian churches in the Community’s history). The Congress will provide an opportunity to give thanks to God, look back, and look ahead. It’s intended for members of the Marian Helpers Association; Confrater- nity of the Immaculate Conception; Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy; Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy; members of our parishes; and friends and benefac- tors from all over the world. During the weekend, Marians will give talks focused on 350 years of the Marian charism. (I will give one.) We’ll speak about our call to profess, proclaim, and honor the mystery of the Immaculate Conception; assist the dying and the souls suffering i n Purgatory; a nd spread the King- dom of God on earth, serving Christ and the Church. The title of the Congress is “The Immaculate Conception of Mary, a Beautiful Fruit of the Divine Mercy.” Various lay apostolates will give presentations and have booths. The weekend will include time for prayer, discussions, and opportunities to appreciate and learn about the rich mosaic of ministries around the world that flow from our charism. The Marian Shrine in Lichen will provide a beautiful, prayerful setting. The stunning Shrine, blessed by St. John Paul II in 1999, is one of the largest in Europe. His Excellency Gregory Rys, archbishop of Lodz, Poland, will celebrate the concluding Mass. He often speaks about the mission of the laity and the New Evangelization. Trans- lations will be provided in different languages for the many participants. Each evening during the Congress, a traditional prayer gathering called an “appeal” will be held. We’ll pray and ask Our Lady’s intercession for our work and for our families. It’ll be an exciting gathering. Not all of the details have been ironed out yet. We’ll have more information in the Spring issue of Marian Helper and on marian.org. Please keep our efforts in prayer. A Jubilee is a wonderful opportunity to receive graces and to be renewed. A plenary indulgence will be attached to the gathering. God wants to renew each of us and to strengthen us in our faith. We need to pray in anticipation. May we prepare our hearts to be open to the graces God wants to pour out on us. Our Lady of Lichen, pray for us! LET’S MEET IN POLAND! Father Joe Roesch, MIC, is the vicar general of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. He lives in Rome. I recently participated in a committee meeting at our Marian House here in Rome with Marians from Poland, the United States, Brazil, Cameroon, and Ukraine. We gathered to plan how we will celebrate the 350 th Jubilee of the Marian Congregation, founded in 1670 by St. Stanislaus Papczynski ( 1631-1701). M arian H elper • W inter 2019-20 • marian . org 9 Fr. Joe talks about Jubilee