August 15, 2011 11:48 PM
Yellow Balloons pro-life rosary takes to Chicago sky
The latest of a series of spontaneous acts of joy across the United States involving the yellow LIFE balloons:
Chicago's Rosary in the Sky - Judi McLeod Monday, August 15, 2011The courage of 20 elementary-school aged girls and their counselors participating in a summer camp endeavor at a Chicago Catholic Parish last Friday did not go without notice.
In launching their yellow balloon, 75-foot handmade rosary skyward from Chicago's Michigan Avenue bridge claiming the Magnificent Mile for Mary, they had to carry their rosary, cross-first, through downtown Chicago's peak traffic.
The little girls met with the same dignity the jeers along with the cheers of pedestrians and motorists watching their progress.
For the school girls, there were lessons to be learned in the response of onlookers like the homeless people who gave high fives, street preachers who burst into the singing of Gospel songs, and in the semi-truck drivers who shook the streets sounding their truck horns in approval.
"I was completely ecstatic the whole time. I loved seeing how many people on a random street corner were thrilled. It is a lot more than we tend to think," said one participant. (Sanctamissa.org, Aug. 14, 2011).
"A passerby tweeted, "A balloon rosary in the air. My faith confirmed:)", while another surprised Chicagoan wrote, "What the ...giant balloon rosary, with cross just floated heavenward from the Michigan Avenue bridge."
Was it the innocence of elementary-school aged children that made the 6-foot gold cross sparkle in the sunlight as it ever so slowly ascended between the Tribune tower and the Wrigley building?
To the delight of the girls and witnesses who spotted it, the 75-foot rosary of helium-filled yellow balloons bearing the word LIFE then floated down Michigan Avenue over the Hancock Tower and past North Ave Beach. Cameras and cellphones flew into action as people responded to the unexpected sight.
Trustingly the girls had first prayed the rosary in front of the Washington Blvd. Family Planning Associates, with all the fervour of school children, for an end to abortion.
Believers knew that the floating rosary happened just in time for the August 15 Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady.
Brother Joshua Caswell described the rosary over Chicago as "the latest of a series of spontaneous acts of joy across the United States involving the yellow LIFE balloons."
"Sightings of LIFE balloons at prayer vigils, country fairs and flash mobs leave many wondering if the trend will impact this year's March for Life in Washington, DC."
Br. Joshua Caswell sent this article:
Giant LIFE Balloon Rosary seen by Thousands over Chicago's DowntownCHICAGO (August 15, 2011) - Just in time for the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, a 75-foot rosary floats skyward from Chicago's Michigan Avenue Bridge claiming the Magnificent Mile for Mary.
A giant rosary floated gracefully over Chicago's busy tourism district on Friday as thousands looked on. The six-foot gold cross hanging from the rosary sparkled in the sunlight as it very slowly ascended between the Tribune tower and the Wrigley building. The rosary of helium-filled yellow balloons bearing the word LIFE then floated down Michigan Avenue over the Hancock Tower and past North Ave Beach. Cameras and cellphones flew into action as people responded to the unexpected sight.
"There was an excitement all around us and there were people in tears at the sight of the rosary. I think we often take it for granted the power of a simple witness to the faith," said a camp counselor.
A passerby tweeted, "A balloon rosary in the air. My faith confirmed :)", while another surprised Chicagoan wrote, "what the... giant balloon rosary, with cross, just floated heavenward from the michigan avenue bridge."
The rosary was the craft of 20 imaginative elementary-school-aged girls and their counselors participating in a summer camp at a Chicago Catholic Parish. The girls prayed the rosary in front of the Washington Blvd. Family Planning Associates asking Our Lady for an end to abortion. They then carried the rosary, cross-first, through downtown Chicago's peak traffic to the cheers, and sometimes jeers, of pedestrians and motorists. Homeless people gave high fives, street preachers started singing Gospel songs, and semi-truck drivers shook the streets sounding their truck horns in approval. "I was completely ecstatic the whole time. I loved seeing how many people on a random street corner were thrilled. It is a lot more than we tend to think," said one participant.
One of the girls said, "It was the prettiest rosary I have ever seen. I liked how it would float up and sit and then float up and sit. It looked really pretty against the buildings and the sky." Another camper said, "The best way to describe it was 'beautiful'. I didn't see one frowning face. It evangelized everyone who saw it."
This is the latest of a series of spontaneous acts of joy across the United States involving the yellow LIFE balloons. Sightings of LIFE balloons at prayer vigils, county fairs and flash mobs leave many wondering if the trend will impact this year's March for Life in Washington DC.
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