Rosary Relay for Priests set for June 8th; 68 Nations to Participate

The annual Global Rosary Relay for the sanctification of priests will take place on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 8th, 2018, with worldwide prayer for priests.

The ninth annual Global Rosary Relay includes more shrines than ever taking part in what is now recognised as a truly significant and powerful devotional initiative within the Catholic Church to pray for the the work of priests serving the faithful the world over.  The international rosary effort is also in gratitude for our holy priests, for the holiness in these troubled times; and for new vocations to the priesthood.

Each of the participating shrines in 68 countries will pray a particular mystery of the Rosary at a particular half hour on the day in thanksgiving to God for our priests and to implore the protection and loving care of Our Lady, Mother of all priests, for all her priestly sons. With the coming of midnight on June 8th, the entire world, by then, will have been encircled in prayer for our priests on this The Annual Rosary Relay Day.

It was the great Irish priest Fr. Patrick Peyton who never tired of saying that: ‘The Family that prays together stays together.’ As the family of the Church, we are all invited to join your prayers to the prayers of millions throughout the world on June 8th. It is an opportunity for us to raise our hearts to God for all priests in the exercise of their ministry; that they will be blessed, through our prayers, with God’s grace for their priesthood; that in this worldwide communion of prayer for them, they may experience our gratitude and support; and finally that they will persevere in unity with Christ and his Church and shepherd the Lord’s flock to the safe pastures of his Kingdom.  Those of other faiths are encouraged to join in prayer

An astounding number of Marian shrines around the world will be among the 168 sites of the Rosary Relay for Priests, including in the Holy Land at the International Center of Mary of Nazareth, Israel.  Other shrines include: the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Velankanni India; the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Malta; The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Phillipines; Seven Dolors of Our Lady Church in Japan; The Shrine of Mary, New Zealand; Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Brisbane, Australia; the  Basilica of  Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico;  Our Lady of Magadan, Siberia; Church of Our Lady’s Assumption, Brunei; Our Lady of La Vang, Viet Nam; Our Lady of Knock, Ireland; Shrine of Our Lady of Csiksomlyo, Romania; Our Lady of All Nations, Netherlands; Basilica Svaty Hostyn, Czech Republic; Our Lady of La Salette, France.  This is only a partial list.

US locations include the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC, the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Green Bay, WI;  the National Shrine of Our Lady of  Walsingham, Williamsburg, VA; the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption;USA, Williamsburg VA ; the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels; Los Angeles; Our Lady of Las Vegas;  Our Lady of Fatima Grotto, MA;  the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe; The National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, NJ; Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral, Anchorage; and EWTN world headquarters, Alabama.

Parishes, organizations, prayer groups, youth groups, Newman Clubs, families, schools, and individuals are encouraged to join in the Rosary Rally for Priests.

PRAYER for PRIESTS
LORD JESUS CHRIST,
eternal High Priest,you offered yourself to the
Father on the altar of the Cross and through the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit gave your priestly
people a share in your redeeming sacrifice.
Hear our prayer for the sanctification of our priests.
Grant that all who are ordained to the ministerial
priesthood may be ever more conformed to you,
the divine Master. May they preach the
Gospel with pure heart and clear conscience.
Let them be shepherds according to your own Heart,
single- minded in service to you and to the Church
and shining examples of a holy,simple and joyful life.
Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
your Mother and ours,draw all priests and the flocks
entrusted to their care to the fullness of eternal life where
you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God,for ever and ever. AMEN

‘I am happy to support and highly recommend the current initiative of The Worldwide Rosary Relay. I believe it has great potential and will bring many spiritual benefits to all involved’. Michael Neary Archbishop of Tuam, Ireland (Episcopal Advisor to Worldpriest.