ROCKFORD—Many hands, hearts and intentions were lifted in prayer at the Patriotic Living Rosary held Aug. 13 at Holy Family Parish, here.
A collaborative effort of the Rockford Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, the Rockford Deanery Council of Catholic Women and the Holy Family Women’s Guild, this year’s event focused on a patriotic theme rather than the international theme of past years.
“We changed the name from International Living Rosary to the Patriotic Living Rosary because it was difficult to find people who spoke the variety of languages that were featured in past events,” said Nancy Farrell, a member of Holy Family Parish and the Rockford Deanery CCW president.
“Our country needs prayers, so when we heard about the Patriotic Living Rosary being done in other states, we thought it would be wonderful to have this event in the Rockford Diocese,” she said.
After a welcome by Holy Family Parish pastor, Father Phillip Kaim, each decade of the rosary was dedicated to different intentions like the conversion of our country, political leaders, church leaders and groups of states until all 50 states had been lifted in prayer.
Each participant of the Patriotic Living Rosary served as a “living bead” and prayed a Hail Mary until the rosary was completed.
Father Kaim, who was an active duty chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, 2007-15, and remains in the USAF Reserve, wore his fatigues for the Patriotic Rosary. He also carried a rosary fashioned from military parachute cord.
Though the international theme was replaced by a patriotic theme, some Hail Marys were prayed in languages of the immigrants who have helped build this country, including Spanish, Latin and Polish.
“Since our country is made up of all different ethnicities, we wanted to include some prayers in foreign languages,” Farrell said.
The living rosary event also featured Marian and patriotic songs.
“In this, the 100th year of the apparition at Fatima, it is very fitting to hold this Patriotic Living Rosary and ask Mary to intercede for us and our country,” Farrell said.
A reception of light refreshments followed the event.