In this month of Mary, California Catholics are preparing to honor Our Lady in the streets of Sacramento. 

On Saturday, May 12, thousands of faithful will gather for the Great Marian Procession, a march culminating with the consecration of California to the Blessed Mother. 

Speaking with Church Militant Friday, organizer Michael Solton described the procession as an act of spiritual intercession. “California needs help — badly,” he said. “We will be praying specifically for the people of this state to turn back to God.”

Now in its tenth year, the march has grown into the largest annual Marian procession west of the Mississippi River. 

“Attendance has been growing each year,” Solton explained, “from a few hundred in the beginning to about 1,500 people” in 2017. 

Many participants describe the spiritual benefits from participating. “People have reported to me over the years that their faith has been reawakened, and they’re back to church again,” Solton recounted.

“This isn’t just a ‘nice’ thing to do,” Solton added. “This is really getting into the trenches. This is capturing minds, hearts and souls. And prayer works! Multiple reports of conversion, reversion — that’s encouraging.”

The annual three-and-a-half-mile procession usually culminates with a Solemn Mass. This year, it will culminate with the consecration of the State of California to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on the west steps of the State Capitol; with Fr. John Lyons of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter leading the crowds in a special entrustment of the state of California to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Solton explained marchers will be praying for the state’s conversion, especially for a “return to pro-life values” and a recognition of marriage “as between one man and one woman.”

More information on the Great Marian Procession is available at bringmary.com.

Full story at Church Militant.