For a number of years, the First Saturday Rosary has been an important devotion for Catholic men across Australia. Hundreds of men have gathered each month on the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral to publicly witness their faith and to pray for their families and wider community.
Fruits of this devotion have spread throughout the archdiocese, and a number of parish-based men’s groups have decided to bring the Rosary Crusade to Sydney’s south-west.
In the early hours of 4 July, men of all ages gathered at the newly established statue of Our Lady at Liverpool’s Bigge Park to pray publicly, not only for themselves, but for the sick at the nearby Liverpool Hospital.
“It’s a time for men across our community to come together and pray to Our Lady,” said a participant, Joe, in a video interview for Catholic YouTube channel, Gym Lifestyle Daily.
“A lot of times we don’t get an opportunity to show our faith in a public setting and to do this, at this new beautiful statue that is overlooking the hospital, it just shows that we always need Our Lady’s protection.
“People are looking for that community, looking for that bond, because they want to know that there are like-minded men out there that are seeking that same journey.
“They can feel lost or they think they are alone, so to have men who can support them and to be there for that camaraderie is so important.
St Joseph Moorebank and St Christopher’s Holsworthy assistant priest Fr Paul Antony CRS echoed the importance of uniting as one family under the maternal care of the Blessed Mother.
“Usually we do this devotion on the first Saturday of the month individually and in different parishes,” said Fr Antony.
“But today we have gathered today around the surrounding parishes to show our love and devotion to our blessed mother.
“This brings us together and it shows our fellowship and the faith we have in our hearts.”
As a great supporter of men’s ministries, Michael Jaksic, who heads the Maximus Men’s Ministry Network within the Life, Marriage and Family Office of the Archdiocese of Sydney, was inspired to see men’s groups across the south-west coming together to pray for the needs of their own communities.
“This is a powerful example of how men can transform culture, taking spiritual leadership seriously,” said Jaksic.
“I believe that the recent installation of Our Lady’s statue in Bigge Park itself is a fruit of this men’s movement.
“I hope that the archdiocesan Men’s Camino of St Joseph this 21-22 August will give these men a spiritual boost as well.”
Unveiled in mid-April as part of Liverpool’s Council Public Art program, the statue of Our Lady was commissioned to be a source of comfort, particularly those seeking respite and those caring for patients and loved ones at the hospital.
According to the minutes from a Council meeting in late-February, a formal dedication of the statue is planned for 15 August, to coincide with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
