To: National Desk
Contact: Laurence D. Behr, Executive Director, Arch of Triumph Association, 716-856-1300, ldbehr@archoftriumph.org
BUFFALO, NY, May 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- At this time when powerful forces are assaulting the very foundations of Christianity, the Arch of Triumph Association is pleased to announce ‘one small step’ in our work, that will lead to ‘one giant leap’ for the world: The building of Mary’s Arch of Triumph and International Shrine of the Holy Innocents, in Buffalo, New York.
It is through Buffalo, the “Queen City,” that Mary entered America triumphally in 1947, represented by the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, an historic event retold in “To Shake the World,” by the late John Haffert, founder of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima. Fatima seer Sister Lucia commissioned the statue and charged Haffert to carry it westward until finally it could enter Russia. Mary prophesied at Fatima in 1917, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph, Russia will be converted, and the world will know a period of peace.” Because the Archdiocese of New York City would not admit the pilgrim statue, Haffert brought it into America through Buffalo, causing “the greatest traffic congestion ever recorded,” according to Haffert. The Web site of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue, www.pilgrimvirginstatue.com, reports, “At Buffalo 200,000 people lined the streets and welcomed Our Lady on that occasion.” Buffalo’s bishop crowned Mary’s statue in a grand ceremony on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1947. Exactly 100 years earlier, in 1847, Mary, under that same holy title, was named Patroness of the United States.
Mary also revealed at Fatima, “Jesus wishes to establish in the world, devotion to my Immaculate Heart.” For this reason Mary’s 700-foot-tall Arch of Triumph will be dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Mother of all Christians, and to the sacredness of human life. The Arch Association, with the whole Church, looks forward to the triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart and the peace to follow—peace for unborn babies in the womb, for nations in conflict, and for families and persons separated from God and each other by the darkness of this age. Mary’s children will fittingly celebrate her triumph, given her by Jesus her Son, with a grand triumphal arch, the one architectural construct used to mark great triumphs since Roman times.
The Association has retained The Cunneen Company of Hamden, CT, to assist in this important mission. Cunneen has raised over $3 billion for Catholic institutions and causes, and is skilled in identifying and enlisting prospective donors for Catholic efforts. Cunneen’s people are dedicated and highly motivated Catholics themselves, who share our vision of a world renewed by the love of God as shown forth in Jesus His Son, and exemplified by His Blessed Mother.
Like many small, preliminary steps in a great project, this one is profound, and its timing is right. We have already gained many ardent supporters across the continent and the world, and the support of numerous Catholic leaders, including Fr. Frank Pavone, Fr. John Corapi, Fr. Robert J. Fox, and many others. We now will build on this base to ‘grow’ a large, strong, highly committed corps of supporters who, together and with God’s help, will bring this great vision for our world to reality.
This is an exciting time for the Arch Association, as we move forward in faith to accomplish our great goal. We invite and encourage the participation of all Christians in this important work for our nation, and our world.
