Thousands of faithful Catholics in the diocese pray the rosary every day, but special attention is paid to the traditional devotion during the month of October when the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is observed on Oct. 7.
This year, the Holy See is encouraging Catholics to pray the rosary at 7 p.m. local time on Oct. 7 in preparation for the Jubilee Year in 2025. More information can be found at www.worldrosaryday.com.
A number of parishes, groups and individuals in the diocese will honor the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout the month with special prayer services, novenas, processions and activities.
One of the first events took place on Saturday, Sept. 28 in Somerset, where the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) have been in residence since the 1800s when the first Mass in Ohio was celebrated in the Perry County area 216 years ago.
A Mass was led by Father Andre-Joseph LaCasse, OP, pastor of Holy Trinity and St. Joseph churches, followed by a rosary procession in honor of Our Lady at the site of the first Mass, 5000 Stage Coach Road NW. (See story, Page 4)
The origin of the rosary is historically traced to St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican order who received a vision from the Blessed Mother in the early 13th century that inspired him to put together a series of prayers that make up the devotion.
The Oct. 7 feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on that date in remembrance of the miraculous victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 when the thoroughly outmanned Christian fleet defeated the forces of the powerful Ottoman Empire after Pope St. Pius V, a Dominican, asked the sailors and all of the faithful to pray the rosary the night before the famous battle for her intercession.
The Dominican fathers, who have staffed Columbus St. Patrick Church for 150 years, have planned several activities surrounding the feast at the downtown parish.
On Oct. 6, the Dominicans celebrate Rosary Sunday, when blessed roses will be distributed by the friars after each Mass. Following the noon Mass, there will be an outdoor rosary procession and then a solemn enrollment ceremony in the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary.
On Oct. 7, the date that the universal Church observes World Rosary Day, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and confessions begin at 6:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Church. The Joyful Mysteries of the rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m., with meditations on each mystery by Father Stephen Dominic Hayes, O.P., prior of St. Patrick Priory. The rosary will be followed by Benediction and a Dominican Salve Regina procession.
The parish’s newly formed Rosary Confraternity gathers on the third Thursday of the month from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Kolbe classroom for a meeting, a talk and to pray the rosary. Confraternity members lead the Dominican method of praying the Rosary every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. before weekend masses.
Also on Oct. 7, Bishop Earl Fernandes will lead a virtual rosary for all Catholic schools from Columbus St. Josph Cathedral starting at 10 a.m.
Several representatives from diocesan schools will join Bishop Fernandes at the Cathedral to pray the responses during the rosary, which will be livestreamed to students at schools throughout the diocese to pray along with the bishop. Intentions will include the dignity of the human person, vocations from among Catholic school students, spiritual and temporal needs of all members of the school communities and for Bishop Fernandes, the clergy and their intentions.
At Marysville Our Lady of Lourdes Church, a rosary will be prayed before all Sunday Masses in October, led by various groups and individuals beginning about 25 minutes before the start of Mass.
At Columbus St. Cecilia Church, a parish group will lead families in a bilingual rosary ( Spanish and English) every Monday evening in October beginning at 6 p.m. in the church. Children are encouraged to bring flowers to offer to Our Lady after the recitation of the rosary.
Other activities are planned throughout the diocese in addition to many of the faithful praying the rosary after daily Masses at parishes. Check parish websites and bulletins for more details.
