Invitation to unite in prayer for Nationwide Rosary chain

Boosting Christian hope and joy are some of the aims of a nationwide rosary event on 25 May.

This is the third year of the Nationwide Rosary to Our Lady Help of Christians, when organisers are urging Catholics to unite in prayer in their parishes or in their homes.

Two Catholic women from Queensland, who share a devotion to the rosary, started the initiative after meeting four years ago at Marian Valley, the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s Shrine to Our Lady Help of Christians in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Theresa Blatchly is from the Toowoomba Cathedral parish and Yvette Kaminski is from Brisbane’s St Kevin’s parish.

Theresa has spent years making many thousands of rosary beads for primary and secondary school students in the Toowoomba area, with a small band of helpers. Yvette is a member of the Legion of Mary, has been involved in children’s liturgy in her parish, and teaches Catholic primary school students about the rosary as a volunteer.

The rosary is to Our Lady Help of Christians as the patroness of Australia since 1844. May is the month dedicated to honouring Mary.

“St Therese of Lisieux said ‘The Rosary is a long chain that links Heaven and earth’,” Yvette explained. “One end is in our hands and the other end is in the hands of the Holy Virgin.”

“United in prayer with our Blessed Mother Mary, we hope for God’s peace and love in our lives.

“This is a unifying prayer session. Because we are all coming together, our prayer intentions are strengthened. We would encourage everyone to take up their rosary beads, whatever their age.

The Nationwide Rosary to Our Lady Help of Christians is on 25 May, from 2pm. For further information or to access a Spotify hymn playlist, please email Yvette Kaminski at olhcrosarynationwide@gmail.com.