Running of the Silver Rose

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose Program began in 1960 as a project of the Columbian Squires of North America to honour the Blessed Virgin under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The program has continued since then as a project of Squires circles, councils and Fourth Degree assemblies in several jurisdictions. In 2001, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson expanded the program by beginning the “Running of the Rose” from the 119th Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council in Ontario. Currently, the program is expanding with a rose making its way from Canada to Mexico through the United States each year. See History of the Silver Rose for more information.

The 2009-2010 Silver Rose Run has grown to incorporate more than double the number of jurisdictions participating. Starting in May, three roses will travel simultaneously through 31 jurisdictions and Mexico.

In recent years the rose has been run from London, Ontario, through 10 states in the United States, and then crossing at the International Bridge into Monterrey, Mexico. During this year, there will be three roses traveling simultaneously starting in London, Ontario, and then moving to the west coast, central United States and the east coast. All three roses will meet at the same time in Texas to travel over the International Bridge and be handed over to Knights from Monterrey.

“The ‘Running of the Rose’ is a perfect program for the Knights of Columbus,” said Supreme Knight Anderson. “Through it we honour not only Our Lady of Guadalupe and express the unity of the Order, but we also reaffirm the Order’s dedication to the sanctity of human life. It is to the Blessed Mother that we turn in prayer as we work to end the Culture of Death that grips our society. As we think in terms of ‘One Life, One Rose,’ it is most appropriate that we turn to Our Lady of Guadalupe who made know her will through Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses.”

http://www.runningoftherose.org/en/index.html

http://www.kofc.org/eb/en/about/activities/culture/programs.html

MINISTERING TO ONE ANOTHER

Father Alessandro Lovato, associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Delta, British Columbia, sees his parish as a family.

Father Alessandro Lovato, associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Delta, British Columbia, says that it was the loving presence of God the Father that first called him to embrace his vocation to the priesthood.

“Every vocation springs forth from a person’s experience of being loved by God,” he said. “The priest then goes forth to share that love of God with others.”

Father Lovato, who was ordained for the Archdiocese of Vancouver in 2006, describes his parish as a large family. As a priest, he said, he is called to give this family the words they need to hear, to be there for them and to build them up.

“You feel the fatherhood of God in the interaction with your parishioners and the love they return to you,” added Father Lovato. “You represent God’s fatherhood and love for others, but it’s also shared with you by the parishioners in the family.”

Father Lovato said that the early example of his own parish priests inspired him to discern a priestly vocation. After completing a degree in English and history at Simon Fraser University, Lovato did pre-theology work at the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, British Columbia. He later studied theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y.

He stressed that the support of the Knights of Columbus was crucial during that time.

“I had been a member of my local parish council (Holy Cross Council 5423 in Burnaby, British Columbia) since my university years,” he said. “That council provided financial support as well as letters of support when I was away from home, studying in New York. I also received the Bishop Daily Scholarship, which significantly helped to pay for my studies.”

The rector of St. Joseph’s and many of Lovato’s classmates were also members, and they often participated in K of C events at the seminary.

Today, Father Lovato admits that it is not an easy time to be a priest, but he draws tremendous strength from the fraternity of his brother priests and brother Knights. On his days off, he returns to his home parish for Mass and to receive the sacrament of penance.

“It’s not a coincidence that the media attacks are happening now, during the Year for Priests,” said Father Lovato. “There is real spiritual warfare taking place. The persecutions either strengthen a person’s faith or scare people away. I realize how much I am ministered to by other priests. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day lives, we need to stop and minister to one another.”

Columbia June 2010 - Featured Articles

Priests who received support from the Order during their formation reflect on their vocation.

They Call You 'Father' by Tim Drake