August 22, 2001 - The Queenship of Mary

Dear Friends,

If you had the power to change the course of events in the world, would you do it?

This is an urgent call to all believing people around the world to gather in homes, parishes, and cathedrals for the 9th Annual International Week of Prayer and Fasting, October 7-16, 2001! The goal? Billions and billions of prayers and sacrifices to end abortion and convert the world.

Why? As the Culture of Death accelerates, respect for human dignity and the sanctity of life is decreasing in direct proportion to an increase in violence and suffering. The list of incomprehensible atrocities in our so-called "advanced culture" of the Third Millennium is out of control:

•       Human and animal cloning
•       Stem cell research and experimentation with human embryos
•       Abortion, partial-birth and chemical abortion (birth control)
•       Assisted suicide and euthanasia
•       Dehumanization of the young, disabled and the elderly
•       Harvesting human organs from the terminally ill and disabled
•       Sexual slavery of women, pornography and sexual promiscuity 
•       Anti-family agendas, ie "homosexual marriages," pedophilia and radical sex education 
•       Violence?in schools/the workplace/streets/homes, the drug epidemic, and the threat of war
•       Endless streams of exiles and refugees

The Fruits of Prayer and Fasting Are Miraculous! 

You and I must act if there is to be hope for the future, for this battle is not with human beings, but against the spiritual powers of evil (Eph 6:13). We have seen amazing "signs" of the fulfillment of Our Lady's promises about the power of prayer and especially the Rosary. The Rosary is the Blessed Mother's weapon. Here are some examples:

•  After 70,000 people agreed to pray the Rosary in Austria, the Soviets mysteriously departed the country on anniversary date of Fatima, May 13, 1955.

• After the Pope called for prayer, a million pilgrims in Fatima held an all-night prayer vigil before the Blessed Sacrament. The next day, October 13, 1960, an accident exploded a new Soviet missile, killing many top scientists, and setting back the Soviet nuclear arms program by at least 20 years. 

• After another major rosary crusade, a massive explosion on May 13, 1984 eliminated two-thirds of the missiles of the Soviet Union's powerful Northern fleet.

• Four years later it happened again! As thousands prayed all night long on May 12, 1988 during the vigil of the anniversary of the apparition at Fatima, another major explosion shut down the Soviet Union's only missile motor plant.

Prayer and Fasting Works

Only months before she died, Mother Teresa told our Coalition of apostolates, "This (Week) is so important. You must do this work. Prayer and fasting is the answer. Don't even question it. God wants this." 

Our Lady has pleaded in apparitions around the world that prayer and fasting are incredibly powerful spiritual weapons to fight the diabolical forces. "One day the Rosary and the Scapular will save the world," she told St. Dominic centuries ago.

To choose life is to put action behind our prayers and words. This special week annually held in October is sponsored by the Coalition for the International Week of Prayer and Fasting. It offers the opportunity to unite as one voice in a worldwide crusade as Our Lady's Army?her little remnant?to battle Satan. If life is to have meaning at all, then mankind's commitment to the "sanctity of human life" in all its forms must be paramount.

If we do not deal with the arrogance and moral sins of mankind, especially sins of the flesh, then many believe our days will be numbered. No civilization?Roman Empire, time of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah has recovered from such moral decline before being destroyed by plagues or wars. Our Blessed Mother has warned her prophets of today that these days are a thousand times worse than at the time of Noah and the flood.

Spiritual Warfare

Our Lady tells us that the rosary can stop wars. In fact, she has said that we can do more in one day of intense prayer than years of discussion. Are we listening again? Can we, her children, mount another campaign of massive worldwide prayer and Masses of reparation?

Our Lady said,

"The rosary is my prayer… it is the weapon which you must make use of in these times of the  great battle…"  It is the chain with which she promises to bind Satan. "Every rosary which  you recite with me has the effect of restricting the action of the Evil One, of drawing souls  away from his pernicious influence," and of expanding goodness in "my children."

The power of the Christian rests in the truth that we are responsible for the salvation of souls. In fact, St. John Chrysostom said that "but know, that he who labors for the salvation of souls does far more; nay the zeal of souls is of far greater merit before God…and the working of miracles." Pope Pius XII said, "Deep thought to ponder is this, that the salvation of many depends on the actions of a few." The cry is urgent. Mankind needs God's intervention.

This is what YOU Can Do

Pray and Fast. Faithful Catholics and Christians throughout the world are asked to pray and fast from Sunday, October 7 (Respect Life Sunday) through Tuesday, October 16, and encourage others to do so.

Pray the rosary daily, recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet, attend daily Mass and holy hour, and fast (from food, television, shopping), or host a Eucharistic Vigil or Rosary Rally.

This year one more day is being added to the "week" Tuesday, October 16 to honor Pope John Paul II on the 23rd Anniversary of his Pontificate, and in thanksgiving to God for giving us this pope. Our Lady has called the Holy Father "my pope", and many already have proclaimed him John Paul II "The Great"! Show your gratitude for this Pope. Ask God to continue to preserve and protect him. And unite in solidarity with the Pope as a disciple of Jesus and Mary serving as their eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart on today's spiritual battlefield. Totus Tuus! 

Encourage Others. The "miracle" of The International Week of Prayer and Fasting is that each and every man, woman and child counts. Each person has the power to change the course of history. No person, group or nation is more important than the next. Every prayer and sacrifice matters. If just one person makes that kind of difference, imagine what would happen if you helped millions catch the fire! Urge members of your prayer group, parish or diocese to commit to the Week. Get your parish involved! Host a Eucharistic Vigil or Rosary Rally.

Contribute. Major funds for printing, advertising, phone calls and postage are needed immediately to spread this message around the globe. More than 50-60 countries have officially participated in the past. This year you are needed to help form a united front with all 100-plus countries, showering heaven with a bouquet of prayers and sacrifices.

Pope John Paul II has given his apostolic blessing to this event that last year alone drew 7,000 people to the Eucharistic Prayer Vigil held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC (see enclosed). More can be done.

Heaven's tears tell us that time is short! Just look at the signs. Don't get caught short with regrets: "I didn't do enough" or "I was too busy." Fill out and return the enclosed reply form. Your gift of $500.00, $100.00, or $25.00 is your step toward igniting the world in a burst of united prayer.

Please help spread the word internationally through your financial support of thus urgently needed prayer campaign. May God and His Holy Mother bless you for your response to Heaven's plea.

We have received the Holy Father's Apostolic Blessing on all participants in the 9th International Week of Prayer and Fasting. Our Holy Father set a remarkable example for us in the Jubilee Year 2000.  On October 8th 2000, the Holy Father entrusted the millennium to the protection of Our Lady. Now one year later on October 8th 2001, we will gather in our nation's capital for all day adoration/reparation at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. 

All loyal Catholics and faithful Christians throughout the world are encouraged to fast and pray during the period from Sunday, October 7th (Respect to Life Sunday) through Tuesday, October 16th; and actively encourage others to do so.

Our Blessed Mother instructed St. Dominic, "…through the Rosary and the Scapular I will save the world." Please join us in prayer and fasting during the "Month of Mary" and pray the Rosary daily.

IDEAS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES 

• Fast - fast on bread and water; eat only one meal a day; fast from 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. the next day; etc.
• Pray the Rosary daily - all three mysteries if you can 
• Attend Holy Mass daily 
• Attend Holy Hour Prayer Vigils 
• Turn off Television for one week 
• Recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet 
• Perform Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy 
• Consecrate Yourself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary 

• Talk to your Pastor and Priest.  Ask them to hold Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Hours, Novenas, and/or other devotions through the International Week of Prayer and Fasting 

• Make copies of the enclosed flyer advertising the Week and ask your pastor's permission to distribute the flyers in your church's weekly bulletin. Give copies to friends, family and members of your prayer group.

• Ask your parish's prayer groups, the Knights of Columbus and other groups to organize Prayer and Rosary Vigils.

• Contact your local Pro-Life groups and ask them to promote the Week by including the flyer in their publications.

• Contact your local Catholic bookstore. Ask them to display the flyers in their stores to help spread the word to their customers.

• Contact your diocese and the religious editor of your local newspapers. Ask them to include the      flyer and publicity about the Week in their publications.

• Recitation of the Rosary every day at school
• Sponsor a school Pro-Life Mass 
• Have Catholic elementary and high school students in every diocese be actively involved in this 9th International Week of Prayer and Fasting

NEWS Release

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC (August 22, 2001) Coinciding with Respect Life Sunday and the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the 9th Annual International Week of Prayer and Fasting is scheduled for October 7 to 16, 2001, calling for people worldwide to unite and pray in an urgent cry to end abortion and convert nations.

An All-Day Eucharistic Prayer Vigil, that last year drew 7,000 people, is scheduled for Monday, October 8th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The Vigil includes Eucharistic Adoration, a noon Mass, confessions, and the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. There is no charge for the Vigil.

Keynote speaker is Fr. Zlatko Sudac, a young priest from Croatia. Other pro-life speakers are Bud Macfarlane of the Mary Foundation; Congressman Chris Smith; Joan Appleton, a former abortion clinic nurse, and author Michael Brown.

Sponsored by a coalition of lay Catholic organizations, the Week is held each year to ask people around the globe to pray and fast for just one week in a united effort to end abortion and bring people back to God. 

Individuals, pastors, bishops are encouraged to organize prayer groups, schools, parishes and their diocese with Rosary rallies, Eucharistic Adoration and other pro-life prayer events, and encourage participation in parish bulletins and diocesan newsletters.

This year, the event is adding one more day, October 16, to offer prayers for Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of his pontificate.

During the week, Catholics are encouraged to join together in a united effort to fast, attend daily Mass and pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy; as well as organize prayer groups, parishes and cathedrals with Rosary Rallies, Eucharistic Adoration, prayer chains, and other prayer events. Non-Catholics and non-Christians similarly are encouraged to pray and fast according to their convictions.

Materials for domestic and international parish and diocesan coordinators are available by contacting the office of the International Week of Prayer and Fasting, 703-327-2277.

Dear Coalition Members,

Thank God for the International Week of Prayer and Fasting! Here is your chance to pledge:

"I want to help promote this worldwide crusade for the conversion of nations and to end abortion. Enclosed please find my contribution for the International Week of Prayer and Fasting 2001."

Here is my sacrificial gift of:  $25.00_____  $50.00_____  $100.00_____  $200.00_____ 

  $500.00_____  $1,000.00_____  $5,000.00_____  $10,000.00_____  Other_____ 
 

• VISA       _______-_______-_______-_______   EXP DATE _______/_______
• MASTERCARD
• DISCOVER    Signature ___________________________________________

For gifts of $50 you will receive a Prayer and Fasting Resource Packet plus two prayer brochures: Prayers to Counteract Abortion, with cover showing Jesus holding an aborted baby; and The 15 Mysteries of the Rosary. 

For gifts of $100 you will receive all the above plus two more prayer cards: Novena to the Divine Mercy; and Prayers of Reparation to Jesus - Eucharistic Jesus; Litany to the Holy Face. Beautiful!

For gifts of $200 you will receive all the above plus a 16 x 23, four-color, beautiful print called The True 
Presence, showing the precious blood flowing from Jesus into the priest's chalice. This image was given in 
prayer to a special man, and Our Lord asked for it to be distributed around the world.

For gifts of $500 you will receive all the above plus an audio tape set of all the talks at the Basilica of the 
National Shrine in Washington, DC on October 8, 2001. These tapes are always in demand!

For gifts of $1000 or more you will receive all the above plus the beautiful image, "For God So Loved the
World" mounted in a 12 x 15 gold wood frame with non-glare glass. Stunning image of Our Lord crowned with thorns and weeping. His Sacred Heart is surrounded by the Eucharist. People love it! 

Thank you for your encouragement of the Worldwide Crusade of Prayer and Fasting. Please make your 
check payable to International Week of Prayer and Fasting .