Questions & Answers
What is the Marian Festival and why Our Lady of Guadalupe?
The Marian Festival is an event that is being sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Nebraska State Council that is intended to help each of us develop a closer relationship within our faith that is dedicated to the Blessed Mother Mary. This event is open to anyone, not just Knights, that wish to attend. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was chosen for several reason. First the inspiration for this event came to me as I led the Nebraska delegation to the Supreme Convention last August. We all were so inspired by the presentations and the fact that she is the Patronesses of all the North Americas was inviting too. Secondly, our keynote speaker Monsignor Chavez is so dynamic and inspiring I wanted to share with my fellow Knights and Catholics this chance of a lifetime to hear a man who helped elevate a simple man to Sainthood.
Who is Monsignor Chavez and Lauren Bauer?
Monsignor Chavez Postulator for the Canonization of Juan Diego was handpicked by the Vatican and the Mexico City Diocese to research and be able to testify that the miraculous events that surrounded Juan Diego did in fact happen. As postulator Monsignor had to research and prove to Pope John Paul II that Mary did appear to Juan Diego, and that the image on Diego’s Tilma was factual and the other miracles that are associated with Diego actually happened. Please remember that at the time of the appearance of Mary the United States and Mexico were not yet separated and the North Americas where she appeared were occupied by natives to the land and explorers. Saint Juan Diego was the last person canonized by Pope John Paul II before his death. Lauren Bauer maybe best known as an athlete. While playing softball for the University of Arizona she played an huge part to their National Championship, she also played on the Olympic team and played for several pro teams too. Lauren was invited to speak because she has a very vocal and public devotion to the rosary. She co-starred in a production of The Rosary Stars and has made several television and speaking engagements across the US to promote the rosary and encourage each of us to say it daily.
What language will the festival be done in?
The Marian Festival will be done mostly English. I have asked Monsignor to include a small portion of his talk, which I assume will be blended in, in Spanish to accommodate the attendees that are not fluent in English. I felt that we needed to this so that everyone who attends will know that they are welcome. We as Catholics know that our faith is based upon people from all ethnic backgrounds and social statuses.
What other entertainment will there be?
Besides our speakers we will have music by Ellen Soukup, the 4th Degree will be part of the opening procession as we display the image of Mary. There will be spiritual dancers and a living rosary. The rosary will involve several people young and old alike, in each decade of the rosary you will have the opportunity to hear the Hail Mary in 5 different languages. As each Hail Mary is read a candle will be lit by a seminarian and at the completion of the rosary there will be 50 lit candles in a semi-circle facing the image of Mary. At the completion of the event you will have the opportunity to briefly meet our guests as they have agreed to greeting session.
Why the Pershing Center, why Ticketmaster and can I still get tickets at a discount?
As we searched statewide for a venue the Pershing Center made us the most economical offer and part of this arrangement included the sale of the tickets through Ticketmaster. The Pershing Center has a great facility for this event and they will have concessions open for your convenience. Yes, you still can get the tickets for the discounted price of $10 each till March 15th. You can contact me or any of the officers and we will assist you in purchasing them. You can also purchase them, at $14 through Ticketmaster or in person at the Pershing.
Who needs to purchase tickets?
Everyone who attends the festival needs to purchase a ticket, this includes the state officers, directors and chairmen of the Nebraska State Council.
Where do the proceeds go to?
Once expenses are covered all proceeds from the Marian Festival will be directed to our states Seminarian Fund. So as you support the Marian Festival you will be supporting the future of our church as we continue to financially support the men and women who answer the called to the religious life.
