THE Bishop of Lancaster, in a special pastoral letter read on Sunday. states that " with the help of God and Our Lady," the complete success of the Family
Rosary campaign now going on in the diocese "may well lead to
ether great diocesan crusades in this country and throughout the world."
Seven thousand men have been chosen to visit every Catholic home in the diocese. beginning on Sunday. to urge all the families to sign a pledge to say the Rosary together every day for the rest of their lives.
Pledge Week is also Prayer Week. All the men are urged to go to Mass and receive Holy Communion on the days when they make their visits, and to visit the Blessed Sacrament before calling.
They will wear a special badge and carry their rosaries with them.
While the men arc working the women are asked to say the Rosary.
' HEAVEN-SENT '
Some churches, it is hoped, will be able to arrange the continuous recitation of the Rosary on Sunday by the women's societies.
If you arc called upon to act as a worker in your parish crusade organisation." says Bishop Flynn in his pastoral letter, " offer your services gladly and look upon your task as a heaven-sent commission, for such it is."
Many men who have never been prominent iefore in parochial activity are working now for the Rosary. Strange faces, unexpected faces. have been seen at the meetings of the parish organisations. The first report meeting, when pledges which have already been signed are to be turned in. will he held on Monday, and on Thursday the complete final totals will he known in each parish.
20,000 LISTEN
Afterwards telegrams will be sent to Bishop's House, Lancaster, where the final figures will be tabulated and counted.
The grand total will be announced in all the churches on Palm Sunday.
More than 20,000 people crowded into Preston's Covered Market on Sunday to hear Bishop Flynn and Fr. Peyton.
The Mayor, Alderman Williamson, was master of ceremonies at the biggest religious gathering the Lancaster diocese has ever seen.