Catholic Archdiocese of Honiara Concludes October, Month of the Rosary, with 4th Marian Motorcade

Honiara: The Catholic Archdiocese of Honiara marked the conclusion of the Month of Rosary with a majestic and prayerful display, hosting their fourth annual Marian Motorcade on Saturday, October 28th, 2023. The event commenced with thousands gathering at Christ the King Parish in Tetere on Friday and culminated in a spectacular motorcade on Saturday, commemorating the blessed month dedicated to the Rosary.

The motorcade, led by the fervent Holy Cross youths, commenced in the early hours of Saturday morning, featuring singing and prayer at each of the 20 stations along the route from Christ the King Parish in Tetere to the Holy Cross Cathedral in Honiara. Hundreds of vehicles adorned with rosary-themed decorations joined the procession, paying homage to the Blessed Mother Mary.

This year's themed scripture, "Mary arose and went with haste" (Luke 1:39), echoed the Second Joyful Mystery of the rosary, emphasizing the significance of the Visitation, when the Blessed Mother Mary visited her sister Elizabeth.

Fr. Mark Misiwasi, the Holy Cross Youth Chaplain and Priest who initiated the Marian motorcade in the Solomon Islands, highlighted the significance of the event as it concluded the Month of the Holy Rosary. Fr. Mark emphasized the veneration of Mary as an avenue through which Jesus, our Savior, was brought into the world to provide salvation, clarifying that the Catholic Church does not worship or adore the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He further stressed the importance of the Rosary as a condensed version of the life and teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The event began at 3 am on Saturday with the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, followed by the motorcade at 4 am, visiting 20 communities from Tetere to Holy Cross Cathedral.

Families and communities from the Northeast Guadalcanal actively participated in this prayerful event, setting up altars and engaging in rosary prayers. Upon arrival at the Holy Cross Cathedral, the youths handed the Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a group of Catholic women.

The program concluded with a Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP, assisted by Cathedral Parish Priest Fr. Joseph Roma, Fr. Mancent Liliu, Fr. Mark Misiwasi, Fr. Peter, Fr. James Ere’ai, and the Rector of Don Bosco Technical Institution, Fr. Raphael.

Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP expressed his gratitude to the Marist Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters who instilled a profound devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Church, and the youths for their unwavering enthusiasm in leading the prayerful motorcade and liturgy during the Mass. He also acknowledged Fr. Mark for spearheading this remarkable initiative and extended his appreciation to the priests and parishioners who participated in the motorcade.

The 4th Marian Motorcade not only marked the end of the Month of the Rosary but also served as a powerful testament to the faith and devotion of the Catholic community in Honiara.