Devotion to Mary

This is the month of the most Holy Rosary. There was feature article in this week's Catholic Miscellany (Diocese of Charleston weekly) on the Marian Shrine in Kingstree, SC. The focus was Bishop Baker as the whole issue was dedicated to his legacy in our diocese. Here's some of the article:

Bishop Baker fromally established the shrine to Our Lady of South Carolina-Our Lady of Joyful Hope with a canonical decree in March 2006, saying the holy place was created "in order to increase veneration for the Blessed Virgin Mary and to provide more adequately for the spiritual welfare of the Diocese of Charleston."

Father Smolenski noted that the shrine is distinctive because it falls solely under the auspices of the diocese. Most shrines in the United States dedicated to specific saints or Mary are run by religious orders.

"It will be difficult to replace Bishop Baker because of his interest in the presence of Mary in the diocese," said Father Stanley Smolenski, shrine director. "Bishop Baker's devotion to mary is not superficial in any way. It extends from his youth."

Bishop Baker will be celebrating Mass at the Rosary Celebration this year (13 October, 10:30 AM) in Kingstree. Altar boys from my parish have the honor of serving at the Mass. If you are in the area, try to make it.

Oremus pro invicem!