June 5, 06

Big celebration of the end of the Month of Mary

Wednesday, May 31st, was the last day of the Month of Mary.  Bishop Sarhad Yawsip presided over a magnificent ceremony that lasted for almost 3 hours, from 5:30 to 8:30pm.

The schedule of the ceremony was as follows:

5:30 – A reading meditation from the Month of Mary.
6:00 – Chaldean liturgical prayer for the end of the Month.
6:10 – 32 Legion of Mary members were accepted by the bishop to enroll into the sodality.
6:30 – The Chaldean Divine Liturgy.
7:30 – Praying the Rosary in a procession.
8:00 – Bishop’s blessing to the crowed, and the coronation of the Statue of Mary.
8:05 – Kissing the image of Mary.

Good number of people attended the ceremony, about 800 Chaldean Catholics attended both the Divine Liturgy and the Rosary celebrations.  The media covered the event, a Japanese TV channel (Japan 1) was filming the event.  People were marching and praying the Rosary full of emotion and love for their holy Mother, the Virgin Mary.  They were lighting candles and praying for their families, especially for Christians and peace of Iraq.