Pray virtual rosary to unite America Oct. 7

Published: October 6, 2020

Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is inviting Catholics across the country to pray a virtual rosary on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. (central time) to unite Catholics across the country at this time when there is much unrest and uncertainty. 

Archbishop Gomez invited several bishops, representing the various geographical regions of the United States, to pray a part of the rosary that will premiere on the USCCB’s YouTube channel and Facebook page for everyone to participate online on Oct. 7, which is the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, during this Month of the Rosary.

The faithful are encouraged "to seek healing and to ask Our Lady, on her feast, to pray for us and help lead us to Jesus, and encouraged to share where they are praying from, to post a photo of their rosary, and to leave a prayer intention for our country," according to the USCCB statement.

Archbishop Gomez, archbishop of Los Angeles, explained in a recent blog post that throughout history, the faithful have turned to Mary, our Mother, in difficult times. "This has been Mary’s role in history, beginning in the first days of the Church when the mother of Jesus was at the center of the apostles’ community in Jerusalem," he wrote. 

"We are living in a moment in our culture when current events are delivered to our little screens immediately and without context. We are tempted in this moment to think that history is only a human project and to see it only through the lens of present-day values and priorities," he explained. "As believers, we need to see beyond the chaos of current events and seek to find the will of God in the present moment. For this, Mary holds the key because it is through her that Jesus Christ entered into human history. And he is still at work, shaping the world’s course and direction. ... In every age, Mary’s maternal care is an expression of God’s providence, his plan of love for history and for every soul. And in the troubles of this present moment, we need to entrust ourselves even more to her care."

To learn more about the rosary, see "How to Pray the Rosary," "Why the Rosary, Why Now?," or "Our Lady's 15 Promises to Those Who Pray Her Rosary."