Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Blessed Mother occupies a special place in the spiritual life of most Catholics. After the Sign of the Cross, the Hail Mary is often the first prayer memorized. In all families, mother holds a position of great esteem and endearment; it is true also for the Family of the Church. 

Here in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Mary has consistently been at the forefront of prayers before God, seeking intercessions for our well- being. The Rosary Evangelization Apostolate has promoted the Rosary and even produced a movie called “Power in my Hands.” The Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary at one time had a convent located on 68th Street in Milwaukee, right next to the Archdiocesan Marian Shrine of Our Lady and the depiction of the traditional mysteries of the Rosary: the Joyful, the Sorrowful and the Glorious. The Dominican Sisters have always been great supporters of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and true prayer warriors, offering many Rosaries for the Church. The shrine is frequented by many who choose to visit Mother and offer a Rosary. Recently, I led a procession for the group, Roses for Our Lady on Mother’s Day. 

If you asked Catholics which Pope trumpeted his relationship with the Blessed Mother, without a doubt the answer would be St. John Paul II. His very coat of arms displayed the large “M” for Mary, Mother of God. Many claim that Mary became his spiritual mother after the death of his own dear natural mother at a very early age. Of course, the people of his native Poland have enthroned Our Lady of Częstochowa as the Queen of Poland. Early in the pontificate of St. John Paul II, in his first historic visit to his native Poland, he brought a golden rose to Jasna Góra Monastery and presented it to the icon of the Black Madonna. It was the golden rose that St. Paul VI was denied from presenting to Our Lady by the communist regime. 

Only a saint or, at this time, a potential saint could possibly contemplate an addition to the popular pietistic prayer of the Rosary. St. John Paul II, however, did so to respond to the secular attacks on the truths of the Catholic Church’s teachings, celebrating the unique moments of Our Lord’s life supporting the great mysteries denied by atheistic humanism. We need the strength of prayer and reflection on the Lord’s life more than ever to counter the growing anti-religious sentiment in our culture. 

On the morning of June 1 at 9 a.m. as an archdiocesan family, we will be extending our tribute to Mary, Our Mother as we dedicate the Luminous Mysteries established by St. John Paul II. At the Marian Shrine, the Luminous Mysteries will be presented in five bas-relief panels, as well as a sixth panel depicting St. John Paul II presenting the Luminous Mysteries to Mary and St. Dominic. I will bless the panels of the Luminous Mysteries and then we will recite the Rosary, celebrating the Luminous Mysteries. 

Here in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, we understand the significant role of Mary, Our Mother. The Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee was renamed and dedicated to “Mary, Mother of the Church.” Now as visitors enter the driveway to the pastoral center, they are confronted with a nine-foot bronze statue created by Fr. Anthony J. Brankin. This is a stunning and thought-provoking statue of Mary holding in one arm the Child Jesus and in the other the tower of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. These are the gifts of her Son and His Church presented to us by Mary, Our Mother. The bas-relief panels of the Luminous Mysteries were also created by Fr. Brankin, whose works are living stories. I know that many will find great insight when meditating on these presentations.

If you are free on Saturday, June 1 at 9 a.m. join me for a visit to Mother at the Archdiocesan Marian Shrine, 141 N. 68th St., Milwaukee as we dedicate the Luminous Mysteries of Her Son and hear His whisper to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.     

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee          

Note: This blog originally appeared as the May 28, 2024, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.