By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Members of the Knights of Columbus 2010 took turns Sunday morning as they ran the 2016 Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose from Parsons to Kerens. Through the run, KOC members hoped to call attention to Our Lady of Guadalupe for her respect and sanctity of human life.
The Silver Rose is one of six that started their journey across the United States from Canada, and they will end their journey in Mexico. The path began in Canada in March of this year. This particular rose, the fourth one, will made its way from Ontario to Michigan, then Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. From there it will travel through parishes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington before heading to Monterrey, Mexico for the Dec. 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Jerome “Butch” DiBacco Jr., member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2010 of Parsons, said the Knights are responsible for running the silver rose across the United States, from Canada to Mexico.
“It is run the whole way and is passed off the same way the Olympic torch would be,” DiBacco said. “We are taking it to Kerens and meeting the Elkins group there. They will run it to Elkins and then on to Buckhannon.”
Grand Knight Dave Oldaker said they run the Silver Rose along the bike trail.
The Rev. Timothy Grassi said the run of the Silver Rose was a way to bring attention to life and respect for life.
“One rose, one life – the idea of the rose being so beautiful and so magnificent,” Grassi said. “The Castilian rose were part of the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When the cloak was opened and the roses fell out the image of our lady was there. The rose starts in Canada and moves through the United States until it gets to the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.”
Grassi said the silver roses that traveled across the country are presented during the Feast in Mexico.
“They have a mass and bring the attention to the Silver Roses,” Grassi said. “This parish participates in the Run of the Silver Rose each year. It is done by the Knights of Columbus. Wherever there is a KOC they are welcome to be a part of it. I am very much a promoter of it and I look forward to this every year.”
Grassi said he enjoys the Silver Rose program.
“I enjoy it. I am pleased and privileged we can honor Our Lady in this way, especially on the Feast of the Assumption,” Grassi said.
This is the 56th year of the program. Additional information about the Silver Rose is available online at www.runningoftherose.org.
