Marian Exhibit

FIRST MARIAN EXHIBIT AT SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL

On Saturday, May 13, the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima, Sacred Heart Cathedral will host a Marian Exhibit in the lower church hall. It will be held following the regular 9:00 AM Mass.

In relation to exhibiting different images of Our Lady, Fr. Rector invites parishioners who have an image(s) of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) at home to lend it to the Cathedral for the exhibit. We will ensure that it will be handled carefully and delicately. The Marian Exhibit will be available for visit, prayer, and veneration from May 13—31, 2023 (Tuesday—Sunday) by appointment. This will be a good opportunity for both children and adults in our parish to know more about the BVM

LENDING IMAGES OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
If you will lend image of the BVM to the Cathedral, please bring it to the parish office during our office hours (Tuesday-Friday) 10:00 AM—2:00 PM. You may also write a brief description about the image (title, story, year of acquisition). The deadline for bringing images to the parish office is on Wednesday, May 10. This will give us enough time to arrange the images in the lower church hall for the opening of the Marian Exhibit on May 13.
 
WHAT IS A MARIAN EXHIBIT?
The purpose of this Marian Exhibit is not only to show the different beautiful images, statues and the many wonderful “titles” of the Blessed Virgin Mary (“Mama Mary” as we fondly call her) but to educate the community about her life and how she continues to touch and inspire our lives.
 
The Blessed Virgin Mary’s worldwide apparitions and messages only reminds us that she is always there to help in accomplishing our duties being followers of Christ, that is to love God and love our neighbors especially those in dire need. She is there to lead us closer to Jesus. She plays a vital role in our spiritual journey and in our Christian faith.
 
Pope Francis once said, “Let us ask Our Lady to teach us how to live our faith in our daily lives and make room for the Lord”. Just like a mother to her son, our Blessed Mother embraces all people with her motherly love and care. She wants us to love God and to spare some of our time for Him through good works and other means and for us to stay away from sin.

CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA AND PROCESSION
The Virgin Mary appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. She appeared one time each month starting on May 13 and ending on October 13. The three children were named Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. During her apparitions, Our Lady gave them messages for mankind and secrets about the future.

To honor and celebrate this special event in the life of the Church, the Portuguese-Canadian Community in the City of Prince George has requested that the Mass on the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord, May 21, 2023, 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Cathedral be a celebration that includes a special devotion to Our Lady. And so, following the 11:00 AM Mass that day, there will be a procession of the image of Our Lady within the church and school grounds.

In preparation, we are looking for three children, ages 8-10 (one boy and two girls) to dress-up like the three shepherd children (Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta). The costumes will be provided. If your child is interested to do this role, please coordinate with Fr. Rector by contacting the parish office.

We are also in need of men who will volunteer to carry the image of Our Lady during the procession. If you think you can do the task of carrying the image of Our Lady, please have your name on the list by contacting the parish office. Attention all men in the parish to really consider being part of this.