On a cold morning, 195 years ago, General Andrew Jackson looked over his 2,000 men about to march against one of the toughest professional armies of the world: a British army of 8,000 battle-hardened soldiers.
General Jackson called on the citizens of New Orleans to pray for a victory - a real miracle. Those citizens who responded to his plea, led by the Ursuline Sisters, prayed to Our Lady. She gave a victory to General Jackson and independence to the United States of America.
On October 16, 2010, in Jackson Square, a brave group of citizens prayed again for the United States of America. A Public Square Rosary Rally was held at the same spot General Andrew Jackson assembled his small army to take the counter-offensive against the invader.
Under the Jackson monument, New Orleans Catholics once again raised their voices in prayer to the Mother of God: Hail Mary, full of grace… In the background the landmark St. Louis Cathedral – dedicated to the holy Crusader-King St. Louis IX of France – stood as a witness to this filial plea to Heaven to help our homeland in these difficult days.
Hundreds of visitors to New Orleans looked on in respectful awe at this incredible display of simple courage and faith: an aspect of the Crescent City never displayed in the travel brochures. Yes, an active faith that believes in the power of prayer and is ready to give public testimony of its power.
There were nearly 6,000 other Public Square Rosary Rallies last Saturday across the country. You can already see some of them in the Photo Gallery at www.ANF.org
In The Secret of the Rosary, Saint Louis de Montfort said: “Public prayer is far more powerful than private prayer to appease the anger of God and call down His Mercy, and Holy Mother Church, guided by the Holy Ghost, has always advocated public prayer in times of public tragedy and suffering.”
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