WORLD IS INVITED TO PRAY FOR PEACE IN GLOBAL ROSARY ANNOUNCED BY THE CONGREGATION OF HOLY CROSS

On Feb. 16, the Rosary, including meditations and hymns, will be transmitted online from 18 countries on 5 continents

ROME, Italy – Now more than ever, the world needs to pray for peace. To assist this spiritual movement, the Congregation of Holy Cross will lead a Global Rosary for World Peace on Friday, February 16. People everywhere are invited to participate in this online prayer event, which will begin live from Rome and will include meditations and hymns from Holy Cross ministry centers in 18 countries on 5 continents.

Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, invited everyone to prayer on the First Friday in Lent, February 16. The Global Rosary for World Peace will kick off from Rome at 4pm local time (UTC+1) with a personal message and prayer from Br. Bednarczyk.

“The horrific violence and tragic loss of life we have witnessed with the war in Ukraine, and now the recent war in Israel and Gaza, is staggering and shocking,” said Br. Bednarczyk. “Such violent conflicts, however, are also taking place in other parts of the world as well. None of us are left unaffected, unmoved by these horrendous events. We seek to respond from our faith.”

Following Br. Bednarczyk’s introduction, the Global Rosary for World Peace Prayer Event will continue with praying the Rosary of the Seven Dolors, a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, the Congregation’s patroness. Religious and lay people at Holy Cross ministry centers on five continents will take turns leading the Rosary. The event, broadcast online, will include hymns sung by groups in Kenya, Northeast India, Mexico, and United States.

To show unity and global participation, the Rosary, complete with reflections and prayers, will be led by Holy Cross religious and lay partners in mission 18 countries. These include: First Sorrow – Australia, Bangladesh, and Philippines; Second Sorrow – Ghana, Brazil, and Peru; Third Sorrow – France, Mexico, and Ireland; Fourth Sorrow – Tanzania, Haiti, and Uganda; Fifth Sorrow – United States, Chile, and India; Sixth Sorrow – Kenya, Philippines, and Canada; and Seventh Sorrow – Bangladesh, Peru, and United States.

“Through her intercession, as we reflect on the sorrows of our world today, we hope that Mary will be Our Lady of Hope, helping us to be peacemakers, men and women with hope to bring in our world today, so that there may be an end to all violence and war,” said Br. Bednarzcyk.

On February 16, the Global Rosary for World begins at 4pm Rome time, which is 10am ET and 7am PT in the United States. For the start time in a particular part of the world, check the time zone convertor. The link is also available on the event’s web site page:

People are invited to pray at the Global Rosary for World Peace Prayer Event at Holy Cross ministry centers in their area or join online at: Global Rosary For Peace 2024 – YouTube

The phrase, “A world at prayer is a world at peace” was coined by Holy Cross priest and sainthood candidate, Venerable Patrick Peyton, founder of Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM). Peyton is also well known for his message, “The family that prays together stays together.” HCFM is supporting the Congregation in organizing, promoting, and broadcasting this digital prayer event.

“Our founder Patrick Peyton believed in the power of prayer. He believed prayer began in the home and the power of that prayer overflowed to the surrounding community,” said Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries.

“We hope individuals and families around the world will join us to bring hope to the world and demonstrate by our example the power of prayer.”

More information about the Global Rosary for World Peace, visit:

The Congregation of Holy Cross, founded in 1837 in Sainte-Croix, France, is an apostolic religious congregation composed of two distinct societies of religious brothers and religious priests “bound together inone indivisible brotherhood.” Founded Blessed Basile Moreau, their mission is to share in the Church’s mission by working as educators in the faith educating hearts and minds and building communities of the coming kingdom. Today, under the leadership of Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., the 14th Superior Generalin the history of Holy Cross, the Congregation of Holy Cross consists of over 1,300 professed religious brothers and religious priests. For more information: HolyCrossCongregation.org

In the spirit of its founder Venerable Patrick Peyton, Holy Cross Family Ministries, an apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, serves Jesus Christ and His Church by inspiring, promoting and fostering the prayer life and spiritual well-being of families throughout the world. HCFM is comprised of ministries: Family Rosary, Family Theater Productions, Catholic Mom, Peyton Institutes, and the Museum of Family Prayer. All founded to encourage daily family prayer, especially the Rosary, and work to increase family spirituality drawing families closer to each other and to God. For more information, visit www.HCFM.org. HCFM is an apostolate sponsored by The Congregation of Holy Cross.