Power of prayer strengthens Rosary chain
By Wendy Shaw
Rekindling faith in the power of prayer is one of the aims of the annual global Rosary campaign.
Prayers for peace, in the wake of conflicts around the world, were particularly poignant as Tasmanian Catholics gathered at public rosary events in October.
More than 50 Catholics from areas across North and North-Western Tasmania took part in a ‘coast to coast’ Rosary pilgrimage on 7 October.
Beginning at the Emmanuel Centre in Launceston with Mass celebrated by Fr Ted Tyler, the pilgrimage included stops at Catholic churches at Westbury, Deloraine, Latrobe, Devonport, Ulverstone, Penguin and finally Wynyard, where there was also afternoon tea and fellowship.
Together they prayed and called upon God, through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, to heal the world and guide them in His loving ways.
One parishioner said afterwards: “’The friendly atmosphere was a very beautiful, prayerful experience. You could feel God’s blessing upon the group.”
Despite blustery spring conditions the following weekend, 27 people gathered in Launceston under the wooden cross outside the Church of the Apostles on 14 October.
Assistant Parish Priest Fr Jessie Banez led the gathering in reciting the Rosary, singing hymns to honour the Blessed Mother and seeking God’s blessing on Australia and the world.
Speaking afterwards, Fr Banez said that as a Marion devotee, the Rosary was particularly significant to him.
“The Rosary is a manifestation of our life,” he said.
“We carry different mysteries in our lives and we are in different stages of the mysteries in our lives.
“It is important to bring that into one prayer and offer that through Mother Mary, to our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Rozanne Neskovcin, together with Jan Williams and Diane Kapper, organised the Launceston event.
Her motivation is simple.
“I hope more people develop a devotion to the Rosary,” Rozanne said.
“I also hope it gives our country peace, and an end to the wars, with Our Lady’s protection.”
Jan Williams reminded attendees that the Monday Night Rosary takes place weekly at the Church of the Apostles at 7.30pm.
“Everyone is warmly invited to come along and give thanks to our Blessed Mother Mary for the blessing she bestows on us,” Jan said.
“Perhaps in sharing the Rosary together each week, we can remember all those who are suffering throughout the world.
“The Rosary is so significant and important, especially now with the world in such turmoil.
“We need to do this together, to reconnect with each other, with our faith and with Mary, as we need to go through her to our Lord.”
That same afternoon in Hobart, some 50 people gathered at St David’s Park for the annual Public Rosary event.
The rain ceased and the sun appeared for the duration of the Rosary, with Archbishop Julian encouraging those present to pray for peace, particularly in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine, and for all those around the world suffering due to war.
The next day also saw the 22nd annual Mersey-Leven Rosary pilgrimage take place in Port Sorell, Latrobe, Devonport, Sheffield, Penguin and Ulverstone.