Dear Awesome Fasting Team Member, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. is the foremost shrine for Our Lady in the United States. There are over 70 shrines for Our Lady in the Basilica representing apparitions and devotions from all over the world, but not one specifically representing the United States of America. Devotion to the Immaculate Conception points to the grace of purity and has been an official part of our United States since soon after our country was founded. In 1792 Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore consecrated our nation to the Immaculate Conception and on May 13, 1846, all bishops unanimously choose the Immaculate Conception as our Patroness. A Nationwide Rosary Congress has been organized to join the faithful in prayer wherever they are for the specific intention that the bishops of the United States will process and enshrine a statue of Our Lady of America, the particular statue of Our Lady with a white gown offering a lily of purity, in the Basilica. We are asking all to participate. The Congress begins today on November 20th and concludes on November 27th. Participation involves registering to make a holy hour by praying the rosary before Our Lord in exposition or before Him in the tabernacle. Click this link or the button below to register. Scroll down to choose your hour. If you are unable to visit a church then we invite you to join in prayer by making a holy hour with this intention in any way you can. Perhaps you can pray before an image of Divine Mercy. Click this link to pray along with an audio recording of a holy hour led by Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC. If you receive this message any time before November 27th you are invited to participate. | 
