Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose Program -
Marian Devotion Prayer Service

At the 2009 State Convention, Our IPSD Edgar Haynes reported that our State Deputy has given his full support for Maryland's participation in a Supreme Council Program in July 2009, honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, entitled the "Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose Program".

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose Program began in 1960 as a project of the Columbian Squires of North America to honor the Blessed Virgin under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The program has continued since then as a project in several jurisdictions. Each year, a Silver Rose "honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe and reaffirming our commitment to the sanctity of human life", is carried by Knights from Canada, through the United States, and into Mexico to arrive at the Basilica in Monterrey, Mexico on December 12, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

This year, three Silver Roses will travel from Canada to Mexico, One of the Silver Roses will arrive in Maryland on July 5, 2009, and remain in Maryland for three weeks, until July 26, 2009, when it will be delivered to Knights in Virginia. The Silver Rose will be in Maryland 22 days, and our goal was to host a Marian Devotion Prayer Service each day as the Silver Rose travels through Maryland.

After extending an invitation to all councils and assemblies to host a prayer service (including a rosary, readings and litany), we are pleased to report that all days are scheduled. The prayer services will be held at a council or parish church. All Knights, families, and members of the local parishes are invited to attend. We also encourage the Fourth Degree Color Corps to participate at each of the prayer services.