Abp. Cordileone Consecrates San Francisco to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

In order to strengthen the Catholic Faith of his flock, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone has established a perpetual adoration chapel at Our Lady, Star of the Sea church in San Francisco and plans to consecrate the Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in October.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel

 

The Archbishop blessed the renovated St. Joseph Chapel on March 25, 2017, the Feast of the Annunciation. The ceremonies included adoration, a Eucharistic procession, Benediction, and a Mass of Thanksgiving. He stated:

 

I am confident that the archdiocese will receive many graces through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary if we are spiritually prepared and properly disposed. For this act of consecration to bear fruit, we must prepare ourselves spiritually and with catechesis for this significant day.”

In his homily after the dedication of the St. Joseph chapel, Fr. Joseph Illo, administrator of Star of the Sea parish, said adoration of Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament is the source of joy and perseverance. “All of the answers to your problems are before the Eucharist,” the priest said, recommending a regular Holy Hour to priests and lay Catholics alike.  

Although more parishioners must sign up if Eucharistic adoration at the chapel is to be perpetual, Fr. Illo has already noted a revival of faith in his parish since it opened. “Three men from the parish have applied to the seminary for this fall—one to the Dominicans and two to diocesan [priesthood].” Sunday donations have increased, along with weekend Mass attendance (at a steady rate of 12% per year) in an archdiocese where average Mass attendance has hit an all-time low. The number of people at morning Mass in the Extraordinary Form has doubled. (Star of the See is one of the 8 diocesan churches offering the Tridentine Latin Mass in San Francisco, including a daily Latin Mass.)

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart

In response to requests from Catholics in San Francisco, Archbishop Cordileone plans to consecrate the Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 7, 2017, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope St. Pius V established the feast day to commemorate the decisive victory of Catholic forces at the Battle of Lepanto against the Ottoman Turks in 1571.

The October date is also close to the centennial of the final apparition at Fatima on October 13, 1917. The Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children and called for prayers and sacrifices in reparation to her Immaculate Heart for the many insults against the Divine Majesty. She asked in particular for the devotion of the five First Saturdays, including prayer and meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary, Mass and confession in spirit of reparation.

Sign of Hope?

One of the most “progressive” dioceses in the United States is now led by one of the most conservative bishops. In placing the Archdiocese under the Blessed Virgin Mary’s protection and guidance, Archbishop Cordileone is educating the faithful about the Fatima devotions and challenging them to pray more fervently and to receive the sacraments more fruitfully. [ed: External link here with more information] Could this be a sign of hope that San Francisco will reconnect with its glorious past?

Source: CNA / CM