On the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7, 2014, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has sent a message to the Catholics of Canada. Currently in Rome as a member of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, Archbishop Durocher invites the faithful to make this October a special month for thanksgiving, reflection and prayer. In his message, he refers to three major events in the life of the Universal Church: the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family; the Mass of Thanksgiving which Pope Francis will preside on October 12 in Saint Peter’s Basilica, to celebrate the earlier declaration recognizing the sainthood of Bishop François de Laval and Mother Marie of the Incarnation; and the upcoming Beatification of Pope Paul VI, on October 19, during the Closing Mass of the Synod.

The Mass of Thanksgiving for Saint François de Laval and Saint Marie of the Incarnation is not only of special significance for all the Church in Canada, but also represents an important event in the history of the Archdiocese of Québec. The two saints are among the founders of New France. A delegation of 130 pilgrims is walking in the steps of the two new Saints. His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec and Primate of Canada, is leading the pilgrimage in France, together with the Most Reverend Denis Grondin, Auxiliary Bishop of Québec, the Most Reverend Luc Bouchard, Bishop of Trois-Rivières, the Most Reverend Eugène Tremblay, Bishop Emeritus of Amos, and the Right Reverend Dennis Paul Drainville, Anglican Bishop of Québec. Sister Louise Gosselin, General Superior of the Canadian Union of Ursulines, and Father Jacques Roberge, General Superior of the Séminaire de Québec, are also among the pilgrims. On October 12, Cardinal Lacroix will be among the principal concelebrants with the Holy Father at the Mass of Thanksgiving in Saint Peter’s. The Mass will be broadcasted live on the Youtube account of the Vatican Television Network at 4:00 am. In addition, Salt + Light TV will air the Mass the same day at 12:30 pm in English and at 3:30 pm in French. The hours noted are Eastern Time.

In his message, CCCB President Archbishop Durocher invites Catholics in Canada to continue to pray for the Synod, while also introducing a resource he has written on the family rosary. The document is available on the CCCB Website in English, French, Italian and Spanish. The brief thoughts on the family rosary text were originally prepared and circulated as part of the French-language resources provided by the Archdiocese of Gatineau for the 2014 National Week for Life and the Family. The CCCB has since then arranged to have the text translated into English, Italian and Spanish. Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., CEO of Salt + Light Catholic Media Foundation, arranged to have the text formatted and a limited number of copies printed. As he notes in his message, Archbishop Durocher will be giving copies to the Holy Father and all who are participating in the III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Link to Message of the CCCB President (PDF)

Link to Brief Thoughts on the Family Rosary

English / French / Italian / Spanish

This text can be freely downloaded and printed for non-profit use. Original text in French by the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau © Archdiocese of Gatineau, 2014. English, Italian and Spanish translations by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops © Concacan Inc., 2014. Cover: Iconic Image for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, by Neilson Carlin. Format and other illustrations by Salt + Light Catholic Media Foundation. For all commercial usage, please contact permissions@cccb.ca.