Rosario en Ferraz

FACING HUMAN INJUSTICE, DISOBEDIENCE FOLLOWS.

On the 1^st and 2^nd of July 2024, despite the government’s restriction and every effort to stop us, we prayed the Holy Rosary in front of the doors of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as we do every afternoon. In the face of this kind of religious persecution against our faith, we Catholics cannot remain silent. Some Catholics are defending our historical freedom to publicly pray in Spain, the birthplace of Mary.

Although it defies common reason to see praying as an administrative infraction, the State has done so and has penalised Jose Andrés Calderón once more. According to Calderon in response to this absurdity, «We Christians only serve one Lord, who is Jesus Christ. We Catholics cannot stand by and do nothing in the face of all of this. A group of Catholics who worship in a Marian shrine for the salvation of Spain and the entire world are being persecuted by them.» He continued, saying, «We should always have our heads held high because every Catholic has an intrinsic right to pray. Nobody is able to take it away from us.»

He wrote this in response to the pressures that persisted after him: «In Spain, you can conduct all kinds of corrupt crimes—such as robbing elderly women, squatting houses, and other offenses—and nothing will come of it. However, if you offer prayers at a Marian shrine for the salvation of Spain and the entire world, the government will send the police to arrest you, fine you, and threaten to charge you more penalties if you pray.»
«By every means, they are attempting to prevent us from praying on a shrine’s stairs. fines, insults, and threats. Something opposes a community of Catholics who pray for the world’s and Spain’s salvation.»

José Andrés has been informed by the police that if he wants to avoid paying further penalties, he should find another location to pray as the Rosary’s organiser. He responds as follows: «We’re going to keep praying. Whatever the case may be. Even if we are only 300, 100, or 12 praying the rosary. We will pray for more penalties and prohibitions. However, you will only encounter opposition from us. Taking full responsibility for the repercussions, we will stand up for Catholics’ freedom to pray on public roads. We got here because of cowardice and silence.»

He asked the police, «How long will the police continue to carry out anti-Christian and tyrannical orders?» following the reciting of the Holy Rosary. Do they not realise that directives that are blatantly against the Constitution cannot be obeyed? Above all, remember that honour is invisible! Additionally, he exposed the socialist government’s double standards, which include not requesting permission for demonstrations by persons connected to them but refusing authorisation to Catholics who wish to pray for Spain and the world on the steps of a Marian shrine.

Currently, the Rosario in Ferraz has been penalised a total of 5400 euros by the Spanish government. We pray for the conversion of the souls of those who persecute us and put our faith in divine justice.

«Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven» (Mat 5, 10).