There are moments in public life that pass by quickly, and there are moments that quietly remain in the heart. March With Mary seems to create the second kind.

What stands out to me in these testimonies is not simply that people saw a statue in a parade. It is that they experienced a presence. In the middle of an ordinary community event, something unmistakably spiritual broke through: joy, tenderness, reverence, surprise, and a sense of being personally seen.

That is part of the beauty of March With Mary. Its mission is to honor Jesus Christ by bringing the presence of His Mother Mary into our communities through dignified public processions, while also honoring mothers through the gift of roses and creating sacred moments that strengthen faith, family, and community bonds.

As a Catholic discernment coach, I am especially moved by the way God often works through visible signs that awaken the heart before the mind can fully explain what is happening. A person may come to a parade expecting entertainment, nostalgia, or family fun and leave with a sense that grace has touched them. That matters. Discernment often begins there: in the stirring, in the consolation, in the unexpected moment that makes someone pause and recognize that God is near.

Mary has always done this. She never keeps attention for herself. Her presence draws people inward and upward, toward her Son. When she is carried reverently through the public square, accompanied by beauty, prayer, and gestures of love, the encounter can become deeply personal. A rose offered in her name, a child noticing that “Mary is here too,” a face lighting up in the crowd—these are not small things. They are often the kinds of moments through which faith is rekindled.

March With Mary also reminds us that evangelization does not always begin with argument. Sometimes it begins with beauty. Sometimes it begins with a witness. Sometimes it begins with a simple act of honor that opens a door in the soul. The broader vision behind this mission is to create opportunities for divine encounter in public spaces, to take up space for God, and to invite communities into visible contact with hope and grace.

These testimonies beautifully show that this is already happening. People are not merely observing a procession. They are encountering maternal love, spiritual consolation, and a reminder that heaven is not far away.

Testimonies:

“Carrying the statue of our Lady through a local parade provided a unique opportunity to bring the faith out to the community and meet people where they are. As I watched the faces of the spectators, I saw more joy than I could have ever imagined. It was a powerful and uplifting experience for me, and I'm sure our Lady touched many hearts that day.” - Kyle McDonough

“Having attended the Heritage Days parade in Faribault I was awe inspired by the presence of the Blessed Mother! She was reverently carried through the parade with the help of a few strong men and a small wagon beautiful roses. The roses were being hand delivered to mothers in the parade watching crowd. My grandchildren eagerly reported to me that “ Mary is here too”. I was delighted they thought the same as I did. A man with a very sincere look spoke just to me, “this is a rose from the Holy Mother of God , who loves you.” My heart and soul was touched! I brought the lovely rose home and placed in a vase in front of a statue of the Blessed Mother. It is a reminder of the love she has for each and every one of us. What a beautiful gift I had received on that Saturday evening in June… who would have thought? Thank you for making such an awesome experience possible with a heavenly presence!” -Carol Schrader

Discover your next opportunity to March with Mary: https://marchwithmary.com/parade-schedule