KOC: RUNNING OF THE SILVER ROSE TO STOP IN PHOENIX

For 50 years, the Knights of Columbus has sponsored the Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose Program to honor the Blessed Virgin under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of America. The purpose of the "Running of the Silver Rose" is to honor our Lady of Guadalupe and to reaffirm our commitment to the sanctity of life.

This past May, three Silver Roses left Ontario, Canada, and have been traversing the United States by a Western, Central and Eastern route. In November, all three Roses will come together in Laredo, Texas, to travel over the International Bridge and be delivered to Knights from Monterey, Mexico.

The Western Rose, traveling south through the Mountain States, has arrived in Phoenix. It will be making several stops in the greater Phoenix area and other parts of Arizona. It will remain in Phoenix the week of August 1 through 8, 2009, as part of the the Supreme Convention held here this week. On Sunday August 2, 2009 at the 9:00 a.m., the Silver Rose will come to Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral. The cathedral, located at 6351 N. 27th Avenue in Phoenix, will host the rose during it's 9:00 a.m. service. All are welcome to see the Silver Rose during this celebration.


The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with nearly 1.7 million members throughout North America, Mexico, Europe, and the Philippines. In 2007, members reported raising and contributing a record $145 million to charitable causes and volunteering a record 69 million hours of service. For more information, contact John Garcia, Public Relations Director for the Arizona State Council Knights of Columbus. He can be reached at telephone (602) 525-4424 or e-mail:garciakofc@cox.net. Visit the Knights of Columbus website at www.azknightsofcolumbus.com.