The blessing and dedication followed an all-school Mass at the Mary, Mother of Mercy Rosary Walk at St. Rita Parish in Rockford.

In his homily, the bishop said he was “delighted we are thinking of Mary.”

He shared some ideas on ways to pray the rosary and encouraged adults and children alike to “go out and use” their new rosary garden.

“Mary doesn’t take Jesus’ place,” Bishop Malloy said. “She helps us to love Jesus.”

Stations for each decade, a number of statues and plants fill the walk.