SW News: Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila has encouraged the faithful to be part of a 54-day Rosary novena for a renewal of mission in the diocese, beginning Ash Wednesday and ending on Divine Mercy Sunday.

In his Lenten note, Archbishop Aquila invited all Catholics to consider three practices which would enable them to become an “apostolic people,” grounded in the teachings of Christ and the Church. Besides prayer and fasting, the archbishop has listed reading the Gospels and forming the conscience in its light as two other ways to prepare for Easter.

He also urged the faithful to offer their own prayers, mortifications and holy hours for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that the Church may boldly preach the Gospel. Though the Lenten note is addressed to the faithful in Denver, archbishop Aquila has welcomed anyone who may be interested in preparing for the ‘apostolic age.'

The 54-day novena dates back to the late 19th century. This method of praying the rosary was revealed by Mother Mary herself to a girl in Naples who was suffering from an incurable disease. The Blessed Virgin asked her to make 3 novenas in petition and 3 more in thanksgiving irrespective of whether the prayers were answered or not. Countless people have attested to the efficacy of this novena and witnessed miraculous answers from God.