On , members of St. Ann Assembly 938 joined clergy and fellow faithful for a Rosary Rally beginning at St. Ann’s Basilica and processing through the streets of West Scranton.
The Rosary was prayed in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary during May, traditionally observed as the month of Mary. The procession brought this shared prayer into the neighborhood, with the Color Corps, flags, and a flower-decorated Marian float accompanying the participants.
Master Brian C. Hallock, KHS, Master of the Pennsylvania Central District, and Faithful Navigator William Hallock were present for the event.
Starting location: St. Ann’s Basilica 1239 St Ann Street Scranton, PA 18504
+The Marian float travels with the Color Corps and flags, with Dea. Peter Lemoncelli following in the procession.
May: a month devoted to Mary
May has long held a special place in Catholic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Mense Maio (1965), §§1–3, Pope Paul VI described May as a time for honoring the Mother of God through prayer in churches and homes. This devotion leads the faithful toward Jesus: honoring Mary invites Catholics to follow her example of faith and deepen their love for her Son.
The Rosary: contemplating Christ with Mary
The Rosary gives this devotion a contemplative form. Its joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries invite reflection on the Incarnation, Jesus’ public ministry, his Passion and Resurrection, and the hope of heavenly glory. Saint John Paul II explained in Rosarium Virginis Mariae (2002), §§1, 16, 20–23, that the Rosary is centered on Christ. As the Hail Mary is repeated, the mysteries help the faithful meditate on the Gospel with Mary and bring the needs of their families, the Church, and the world before God.
Mary’s intercession and our faith
Catholics honor Mary as the Mother of God and a model of faith and charity. Asking for her intercession means asking her to pray with us and for us; adoration belongs to God alone. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§967–971, teaches that Mary’s maternal care depends entirely on Christ’s unique mediation.
By praying together and processing through West Scranton, those taking part in the rally gave public expression to this tradition of faith, closing the month of May in devotion to Mary and love for her Son.
Photographs from the Rosary Rally
32 photographs · Select any photo to enlarge it and browse the gallery.
+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli accompanies the Rosary Rally procession through West Scranton.+The Color Corps carries flags beside the Marian float, with Dea. Peter Lemoncelli following in the procession.+Color Corps members gather near the stone grotto.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli, participants, and the Color Corps stand beside the Marian float.+The procession makes its way along a West Scranton street.+Flowers and colorful ribbons adorn the Marian float.+A wide view of the basilica grounds during the rally.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and participants follow the flags through West Scranton.+Master Hallock addresses those attending the Rosary Rally at the Basilica. Dea. Peter Lemoncelli stands with those gathered beside the Marian float.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and fellow participants continue along a neighborhood street beside the basilica grounds.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and participants walk alongside the Color Corps flag bearers.+The towing truck and Marian float near the basilica.+Participants gather beside the flower-decorated Marian float.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli walks through a residential neighborhood during the Rosary Rally procession.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and participants gather with flag bearers near the grotto.+Color Corps members stand with flags on the basilica grounds.+Two rally attendees share a bench near the grotto.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and rally participants gather around the Marian float outside the basilica.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and participants accompany the flags along the procession route.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli joins participants carrying flags along a path on the basilica grounds.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli walks with the Rosary Rally procession beside the basilica grounds.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and flag bearers gather beside the Marian float near the grotto.+The Marian float, Color Corps, and Dea. Peter Lemoncelli pass in front of the basilica.+The Color Corps displays flags beside Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and rally participants.+The Marian float and flag bearers travel through West Scranton, with Dea. Peter Lemoncelli following in the procession.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli walks along a residential street during the Rosary Rally procession.+A view past the float’s ribbons toward Dea. Peter Lemoncelli, fellow participants, and the American flag.+Flag bearers carry the American and Vatican flags through West Scranton.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli and participants follow the flags along a neighborhood street.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli accompanies the procession beside the iron fence around the basilica grounds.+Dea. Peter Lemoncelli, participants, and flag bearers gather beside the Marian float.
