Video series highlights Marian devotions, customs in U.S. mission dioceses

CHICAGO (CNS) — A special video series developed by Catholic Extension for the “Month of Mary” has highlighted throughout May the many ways Catholics of the Americas honor Mary in their native languages and culture customs.

The videos share Marian traditions popular in the faith communities that receive support from the Chicago-based organization that has been supporting the work and ministries of the nation’s mission dioceses since its founding in 1905.

A woman in Santiago, Cuba, kneels in prayer on the steps of the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, also known as Our Lady of El Cobre, Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre. The basilica is one of the sites visited in Catholic Extension’s video series marking May as the “Month of Mary” and highlighting the many ways Catholics of the Americas honor Mary. (CNS photo/courtesy Catholic Extension)

“Everywhere we visit, the Blessed Mother is a constant symbol of hope and comfort,” Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, said in a statement. “The beautiful ways in which people of different cultures express their devotion to Mary is inspiring, and we invite all Catholics to share in this celebration.”

The videos have been released each Sunday of May. The fourth in the series, scheduled for May 30, is about the devotion to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre (Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre), the patroness of Cuba. It features the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, near Santiago, Cuba, in the village of El Cobre.

This particular video coincides with Pope Francis’ call April 21 for a “Prayer Marathon” to be conducted for the entire month of May to end the pandemic, with each day featuring a different Marian shrine and the rosary broadcast from different locations.

“While we respond to the Holy Father’s call to join him in prayer for an end to the pandemic, we invite you to see how the Blessed Mother is a constant symbol of hope in the places we visit,” said Joe Boland, vice president of Catholic Extension. “It is one more way that we can join together as a Catholic family of faith and connect with one another.”

The videos can be viewed by registering for access at catholicextension.org/mary.

The three videos released on the previous Sundays of May feature:

  • Our Lady of the Sioux: Oglala-Lakota Native American Community in South Dakota.
  • Our Lady of La Vang: Vietnamese Community in Sacramento, California.
  • Our Lady of Fatima: Dominican Sisters of Guánica, Puerto Rico.

Author: Catholic News Service

Catholic News Service is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ news and information service.

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