He chose Mary. Long live Mary!

Near my home, in Italy, there is a church dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy. I am a religious of the Holy Family, and we know the determining role of Mary in the story of the coming of Jesus our Savior. Our founder, Saint Paola Elisabetta Cerioli, was inspired by Our Lady of Sorrows to found our Religious Institute. I myself made my first vows in 1988, a Marian year. Five and a half years ago, I was appointed first bishop of the new diocese of Naviraí, in Brazil, under the patronage of Our Lady of Fatima. There is a golden star, symbolizing Mary—the star of my life—on my episcopal coat of arms. More recently, in 2012, to celebrate the first year of the creation of the diocese, I consecrated the first diocesan church to the Immaculate Heart of Mary…

All of the above, I think, should give you a picture of my great devotion to the Virgin Mary: I constantly invoke her intercession, I call her the "bridge" that brings us closer to Christ, and I share my love for her with everyone in my diocese! God could have chosen another way to give us Jesus, but he chose Mary! So be it! Long live Mary!

Bishop Ettore Dotti

Bishop of Naviraí - MS - Brazil

Exclusive interview by Thácio Siqueira for A Moment with Mary