Can Millions of Rosaries Become a Worldwide Prayer for Peace?

Catholics around the world are being invited to unite in prayer through the Global Rosary for Peace, an international initiative organised by Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM). The worldwide prayer event will take place on October 22, the feast of St. John Paul II. Families, parishes, schools, religious communities and individuals are being encouraged to participate in a shared recitation of the Rosary. The live event will begin at 10:00 a.m. US Eastern Time, which corresponds to 7:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time. The initiative forms part of HCFM's mission to promote family prayer and devotion to the Rosary. It also responds to Pope Leo XIV's call for Catholics to pray for peace amid conflicts and crises affecting communities around the world. According to the organisers, more than 67,000 people participated in the first global event. At the time of the announcement for this year's gathering, more than 95,000 people had already registered. Fr. Fred Jenga, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, said the initiative was developed as a response to the continuing crises and conflicts around the world. He encouraged Catholics to turn to prayer and continue seeking peace. HCFM was founded by Venerable Patrick Peyton, the Irish-born Holy Cross priest popularly known as the “Rosary priest.” His ministry focused particularly on encouraging families to pray the Rosary together. Fr. Jenga highlighted the importance of family prayer and encouraged families to place God at the centre of their daily lives. He also reflected on the different mysteries of the Rosary and how they accompany believers through experiences of joy, suffering, mission and glory. He pointed to the Eucharist and the Rosary as important sources of spiritual strength in the lives of many saints and encouraged families to rediscover the value of regular prayer. The Global Rosary for Peace is intended not only as a one-time international event but also as an opportunity for families and individuals to deepen their regular prayer life. Organisers hope that participants from different countries and cultures will unite spiritually while praying for peace in the world, for families and for the needs of the Church. Catholics wishing to participate can register through Holy Cross Family Ministries and join the live Rosary on October 22 at 10:00 a.m. ET, or 7:30 p.m. IST. The initiative seeks to create a worldwide moment of prayer, bringing Catholics together through a devotion that has been an important part of Catholic family and spiritual life for generations.