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September 14, 2017

The Knights of Columbus’ Running of the Rose tour visits St. Thomas Parish

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

 

PALMER – A single silver rose, representing Our Lady of Guadalupe, arrived at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Palmer, Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.

A special prayer service was held as part of the Running of the Rose program, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, to bring awareness to the pro-life issue. In March, six silver roses started making their way across North America, coming down from Canada, traveling throughout the United States. This is the 57th year of the program, also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose – One Life, One Rose.

The Knights on Bikes of the Diocese of Springfield, transported this rose from Kittery, Maine. St. Thomas is the only parish in the diocese on the route this year.

“I think it’s beautiful. Holding that rose in my hand, it felt like something came into my heart,” said Ray Cote, a member of the Knights on Bikes and of St. Rose de Lima Parish in Chicopee.

The Knights on Bikes will also transport the rose to Rhode Island.

“I felt like the actual ride was blessed. I felt like we were accompanied by Mary,” said Daniel Prats.

“It’s always been in my heart to respect life. Who are we to intervene in someone else’s life? God brings us here for a reason,” Prats continued.

During the prayer service, the congregation prayed the rosary. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Americas and the unborn. The program began in 1960 as a project of the Columbian Squires of North America to honor the Blessed Mother. In 2001, the program was expanded to include the Running of the Rose.

“This is a good way to bring people together for a pro-life cause,” said Joseph Kosmos, district deputy of the Knights of Columbus District 8 in Massachusetts, which covers Palmer Council 376; St. Michael’s Council 9960; Ludlow Council 3535; Spencer Council 118; and St. Paul the Apostle Council 14631.

“I have three daughters. God didn’t create you for someone to take your life. He created you to live,” said Kosmos. “I’ve been here for 75 years and he’s blessed my life.”

The final stop for the rose on the Northeast leg of the program is Connecticut. The program concludes Dec. 12, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterrey, Mexico.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 pm WWLP-22NEWS.

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