A BRIEF HISTORY

During the early years of Pope John Paul II's pontificate, he called on the Catholics of the world to pray more for Peace. In answer to his plea, Fr. Donald Buchanan, then associate Pastor of St. John of the Cross Church in Lemon Grove, eagerly answered the Holy Father's request. This was 1983, and the world was still in danger from international communism. Our Lady had warned at Fatima in 1917 that Russia would continue to spread her errors throughout the world if her requests were not answered: Prayer, especially the Rosary, Sacrifice and return to God … Repentance.

Beginning very humbly, with the help of individuals of the Legion of Mary (he was then serving as Spiritual Director of that organization), the Knights of Columbus and other parish organizations, he organized the first Rosaries for Peace as a Parish devotion in the form of a Candlelight Rosary Procession similar to the ones in which he had participated at Fatima and Lourdes.

The response from not only the parishioners at St. John's, but also throughout the Diocese made it necessary to move the following year to the Immaculata and then to the University of San Diego stadium. Through the years, we received Apostolic Blessings from Pope John Paul II, and also received several telegrams from then President Ronald Reagan praising our efforts and saying that he and Mrs. Reagan joined us in prayers for peace.

During those years, the Berlin Wall came down and communism lost its power. Unfortunately, not enough people in our world have turned to God, and we are now confronted with international terrorism resulting in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other trouble spots throughout the world. Our Lady also warned at Fatima that "…war is a punishment for sin".

Fr. Buchanan believed in the power or prayer, and so do we, his followers. We are confident that in the end Our Lady's Immaculate Heart will triumph, and there will be true peace, as She predicted.

These beautiful Diocesan celebrations have been supported by various Parishes throughout the diocese, members of Parish and Church organizations including the Knights and Ladies of Columbus, the International Order of the Alhambra, Catholic Daughters of America, World Apostolate of Fatima (Blue Army), Legion of Mary, Guadalupanas, Filipino-American Association, etc.

As a result of Bishop Brom's proclamation declaring the 2nd Sunday in October as "Rosaries for Peace" Sunday, we encourage you (the reader) to volunteer to your Pastor, so that you can be an effective instrument in your own Parish in promoting this beautiful tradition and ministry in honor of Our Lady and her rosary.