Thousands of Children in America Participate in World Mission Rosary Initiative

Thousands of children from 77 Catholic elementary schools across the United States Midwest came together on January 28 to virtually pray the World Mission Rosary via Zoom. The initiative was organized by the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) as part of activities for Catholic Schools Week, an annual event that celebrates Catholic schools in the United States. It is observed every year from the last Sunday in January and runs for 7 days.

The virtual gathering brought together young participants from 14 Catholic dioceses, including Milwaukee, Columbus, Des Moines, Fargo, Grand Rapids, Jefferson City, Joliet, Madison, Marquette, Peoria, Salina, Sioux City, and Springfield. This initiative was part of the broader efforts of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA, which includes the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Missionary Childhood Association, the Society of St. Peter Apostle, and the Missionary Union.

The Missionary Childhood Association serves schools and religious education programs throughout the US.

Commenting on the initiative, Monsignor Roger J. Landry, National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies USA, explained that through this initiative, the MCA wanted to provide students with an opportunity to reflect not only on their own blessings but also on the challenges faced by millions of their peers across the globe who do not have the chance to attend school. "During this Jubilee of Hope, we thought it important to bring children together to pray and to learn about the different realities their fellow students face in Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and Latin America," he said.

The World Mission Rosary was created by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in 1951. Each decade of the rosary is color-coded to symbolize different regions: green for Africa, blue for the Pacific Islands, white for Europe, red for the Americas, and yellow for Asia.

Alixandra Holdren, Director of the Missionary Childhood Association, highlighted the core mission of the initiative. "The MCA is built on the principle of ‘children helping children,’ teaching them that through prayer and support, they can make a difference in each other’s lives," she stated.

As Catholic Schools Week continues, events like the World Mission Rosary serve as a reminder of the power of faith, unity, and prayer in fostering a sense of global solidarity among young students.

Courtesy: Vatican News