I've been involved in several "Marches with Mary" in community parades over the last couple of years. What's often observed is that every parade seems to come with its own unique challenges and also graces. The Dan Patch parade was no exception.

In the past, we've encountered weather issues or other roadblocks to our participation. This parade, scheduled later in the month than past years and close to the July 4th holiday, led to fewer regular participants. Due to many competing events for families and others starting their July 4th vacations for the upcoming holiday, adjustments were made. However, a consistent theme with every parade is that the challenges often appear to be overcome at the last moment. Things seem to work out almost as if they were planned in advance to occur that way. This was apparent when a couple of unexpected last-minute individuals appeared to assist us in handing out the 900 roses just as we were prepared to start the parade.

Before starting, we prayed for peace and unity in our State of Minnesota where a tragic assassination of a legislator and spouse had occurred recently. We prayed as a group that our witness would open the hearts of fallen-away Catholics to embrace their faith again. We also prayed that our witness would intrigue the hearts of those practicing no faith or other faiths through our acts of Love. Each rose was handed out with a smile and kind word, pointing to the beautiful statue of "Our Lady" as she was carried by them. As the song goes, "...they will know we are Christians by our Love..." This seemed to be accomplished.

Observations from the parade included many children running up to our wagon of roses, not selfishly for a piece of candy for themselves, but lovingly to make sure they obtained a rose to give to their mother or grandmother before our group of Juan Diegos passed by. More than one child was heard yelling out, "There is Mary!" with enthusiasm. Additionally, people were observed making the sign of the cross. Furthermore, an extra special grace with this parade, not experienced in the past, was the number of clapping ovations received as the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was marched. These ovations occurred multiple times. It appeared that those clapping were joyful to see outward expressions of Christianity in the public square. It also seemed they wished to express thanks. There's a hope that some of the watchers attending were emboldened to have the courage to express their faith publicly—to not be shy or uncomfortable, but proud of their Christian identity. Hopefully, seeds of faith were planted in many attending. It is believed that Our Mother in Heaven will go to work touching the hearts she chooses, leading them back to her son.

With the parade concluded, we marched two blocks to St. John's Catholic Church. Families were still stopping us, asking if any roses were left. A few were taken from the carrier Our Lady was being marched on to give to them. A very special, unique conclusion to this parade was a rosary rally at St. John's. Thanks were extended to Kathy, Dorothy, Becky, and others for leading this Rosary rally. As we entered the church Sanctuary, the Fourth Degree Knights marched ahead of us and drew their swords to honor the Mother of God as she was placed on a table surrounded by roses. Twenty-five people were counted present in the church as this occurred. This pious group then prayed in unison for an hour. They honored the Sacred Heart of Jesus, since June is the month of the Sacred Heart, prayed for families, and lastly prayed the Rosary for peace in the world, just as Our Lady of Fatima had requested.

"Pray the Rosary every day for Peace in the World." Our Lady of Fatima, July 13, 1917