7,000 men to call at homes on Sunday
THE Bishop of Lancaster, Mgr. Flynn, states in a letter to THE CATHOLIC HERALD that on Sunday about 7,000 men will begin to visit the Catholic homes of his diocese to ask members of every family to give a written promise to say the Rosary together every day for the rest of their lives.
" This," says Bishop Flynn. " will be the climax of the Family Rosary Crusade which has been conducted throughout the diocese by Fr. Patrick
"In recent years there has been a noticeable decline in true family tife. The modern way of life tends to separate individual members of families and make the home merely a place for eating and sleeping. "There is a great need to strengthen family ties, and this can be done through family prayer. The family that prays together staes together.
-The Crusade's direct appeal is to Catholics in an attempt to restore the Family Rosary to even, horlin, but members of all denominations or none are invited to say the prayers which they consider most suitable for themselves.
" With the restoration of family prayer we can confidently hope for peeve of heart, peace in families. peace in the nation, and peace throughout the world.
" A world at prayer is a world at peace,
" We are endeavouring to secure that no Catholic borne will be overlooked. If any Catholics at all have not been visited by next Thursday they ought to mention the matter to any Catholic priest or layman, and pledge cards will be readily aveilable."
20,000 HEAR
FR. PEYTON IN PRESTON
In the largest religious gathering ever seen in the Lancaster diocese, more than 20,000 people jammed Preston's Covered Market on Sunday to hear Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C. urged than to pledge themselves to the daily Family Rosary.
Catholics from all parishes in the Preston deaneries and some 60 busloads from as far away as St. Ffelens began to tether more than two hours before the rally began. On the nlatforrn with Bishop Flynn, sponsor of the Crusade, and Fr. Peyton, Crusade director., were Mgr. Eaton. Vicar General of the Lancaster diocese, Mgr. Patrick Dunne, and other priests. and Preston's Catholic Mayor. Alderman Matthew Williamson.
From 230 to 3 p.m. massed choirs of children from local schools under Fr. Francis I.ee led the gathering in singing Marian hymns.
The Mayor was the master of ceremonies,
SUREST DEFENCE
Mr. Philip I. Bell. who epoke on behalf of the laity of the diocese. expressed regret that the visit to Preston of the Royal Famils. " the most loved family in England?' had been postponed. Fr. Peyton's talk was a simple plea for families to accept the Family Rosary as their best guarantee of happiness and the surest defence against broken homes and unhappy married life.
"Every minute of the day is God's glift to the family." said Fr. Peyton. ' Surely we can given ten minutes back to God by saying the Rosary."
For Cumberland's first Crusade rally last week, 4,000 people gathered at the Lourdes Grotto in the ground. of St. Mary's Church. Cleator. after a torchlight procession. Facing a sea of candles flickering in the darkness, Fr. Peyton addressed the crowd which had come from all parts of West Cumberland after the day's work. Nine double-decker buses brought parishioners from Workington. and extra buses had to be borrowed from Whitehaven,