What is "A Day With Mary" ?

"A Day with Mary" is a day of prayer organised and guided by the Franciscans of the Immaculate, inspired by the spirituality of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe and characterised as Franciscan, Marian and missionary and based on the message of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917, who requested:

"Pray, pray much: make sacrifices for poor sinners; there are many souls who go to hell because there is no one to pray and do penance for them."

The activities of the day

The day of prayer begins with a brief account of the story of Fatima (usually accompanied by film showing if possible) followed by the procession and crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Church. The day consists of Holy Mass, prayers and Marian hymns, the Holy Rosary, meditation on the Way of the Cross, talks, and Eucharistic adoration. Confessions are available throughout the day.

The first part of the day concludes with packed lunch. This is a moment when participants can get to know each other better and help one another understand ways to praise and honor Our Blessed Lady.

The day concludes with the Eucharistic benediction and the blessing of religious items. It is also an opportunity for those who want to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular of Mt. Carmel or the Miraculous Medal.

What takes place at "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-organised 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 a plenary indulgence for themselves or for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Beginning and History of ADWM

The Marian apostolate known as "A 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, through the message of Our Lady of Fatima: "prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners."

Not completely enlightened of how this could 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 his 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 not only gave him permission, he also provided the right priest for this event - one who 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 today, the ADWM is done every Saturday of the year in different parishes, shrines and oratories in London and other places in England.

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."