THE HISTORY OF  "DAY WITH MARY"? 

The Marian apostolate known as "Day with Mary" began in England in 1986 through the instrumentality of a man named Claudio lo Sterzo. Italian by birth, he moved to London and there got married and raised his family. Between the months of January and February of 1986, he was inspired to begin this Marian day with Mary, by the message of Our Lady of Fatima: "prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners." 

Not completely enlightened of how this can concretely be accomplished, it took him several months of discernment as he sought spiritual advices from holy priests. He finally came out with a clear idea of beginning what he called "A Day with Mary (ADWM)." A good friend of him helped him obtain the blessing and permission of the Rt. Rev. Cormac Murphy O'Connor (the then Bishop of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton), to hold the first ADWM in his cathedral. The bishop gave a positive response and who did not only give him permission, he also provided the right priest for this event that will certainly do anything for Our Lady: Msgr-Canon Terence T. Stonehill. 

It was on the 25th of October 1986 that the first "A Day with Mary" actually began and was held at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. From that day on this apostolate grew rapidly as Claudio received numerous requests to do "A Day with Mary" in parishes. Even on this very days, the ADWM is done every Saturday of the year in different parishes, shrines and oratories in London and other places in England.

What takes place in "A Day with Mary"?

This Marian apostolate (ADWM) is a public religious activity, comprising of Eucharistic and Marian devotions in accordance with the official liturgical directives of the Church. This "day" is inspired by the message of Our Lady of Fatima especially her call to prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners and sanctification of souls. The well-organized day lasts about 6 to 8 hours with various activities in schedule: recitation of Holy Rosaries, Marian talks and conferences, Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Mass, Stations of the Cross and Marian hymns that spice the whole day to be a truly comprehensive compendium of Catholic devotions. This "day" is also an opportunity for the participants to obtain plenary indulgence to be applied for the souls of the faithful departed. 

The Franciscans of the Immaculate and ADWM

In 1992, an Italian priest of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, Fr. Alessandro Apollonio, FI was visiting England  to learn the English language. He providentially saw the poster of "A Day with Mary" displayed in the Church of a religious community where he was staying. After a short inquiry from some members of the said community, he joined one of these "Days with Mary" held in St. Aloysius Parish Church maintained by the Oratorians in Oxford. He was fascinated and delighted with this apostolate that when he returned back to Italy he related this to Fr. Stefano M. Manelli, the founder and Minister General of the Franciscans of the Immaculate. He obtained permission and blessing from him to begin this apostolate as well in Italy. After several contacts and correspondence with Claudio Lo Sterzo, the first "Day with Mary" in Italy was held in September, 1993 in the Holy Shrine of Loreto. Numerous Franciscan friars and sisters of the Immaculate, together with hundreds of lay faithful attended the event.

ADWM goes to the World

Through the collaboration of the Franciscans of the Immaculate (friars, sisters and tertiaries) the ADWM spread to different continents where there are missions of the Franciscans of the Immaculate. From the Philippines to Australia, from Brazil to United States, from Africa to Italy, several "Days with Mary" are continuously being conducted.

From its humble beginning to the present stupendous growth, one can see that this apostolate is guided by the maternal care of the Immaculate Virgin of Fatima who must have been pleased of what is taking place in these activities. For in these days of Mary, hearts are informed about the faith, conversions take place through the sacrament of penance, praise and honor rise to the heavenly court in honor of the Heavenly Queen and thus giving God the possible maximum glory. The "Day with Mary" is the practical affirmation of the doctrine of Mary's mediating role in bringing salvation and sanctification to souls. This confirms the very words of St. Maximilian Kolbe, in the very Act of Consecration he composed:

"...For wherever you enter, (O Immaculate), you obtain the conversion and sanctification of souls, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus." ■