Utah Catholics celebrate the rosary

Randy Schreifels

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Members of Saint Mary Catholic Church in West Haven and surrounding parishes participate in a multi-language rosary procession that was inspired by the parish's annual men's retreat, from which the processionary statue was acquired. Led by Father Gustavo Vidal, pastor, the decades were recited by members of the English, German, Guam, Filipino, and Spanish communities. A simultaneous rosary was offered indoors for those with physical challenges. Courtesy photo/Randy Schreifels, St. Mary Parish

SALT LAKE CITY — From north to south and east to west, Catholics in Utah have been gathering in their own communities to pray the rosary as the Church universal celebrates October as a month dedicated to this devotion.

On Oct. 12 at Saint Ann Catholic Church in Salt Lake City, parishioners celebrated the 2013 public Square Rosary Crusade in conjunction with America Needs Fatima (ANF), a non-profit campaign made up of Catholic citizens united in a common goal: To win the heart and soul of America for Mary, spreading Our Lady’s Fatima message and promoting devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

"We are here to ask our Holy Mother for her blessings," said Jacqueline Vargas, a St. Ann parishioner who participated in the event.

Vargas has suffered two miscarriages, but through her faith she has found strength in her trials, she said.

"I have always wanted to become a mother, but I have not been able to. I pray to Our Mother for her grace and I know she hears me," said Vargas.

At Saint George Parish in St. George, parishioners held a Marian procession beginning at noon Oct. 12, praying the rosary for peace in the world and an end to abortion.

Further north, in West Haven, Saint Mary parishioners participated in a multi-lingual rosary procession on Oct. 6.

The rosary "is a prayer loved by countless saints and encouraged by the Magisterium," John Paul II wrote in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae in 1978.

"Against the background of the words Ave Maria, the principal events of the life of Jesus Christ pass before the eyes of the soul. They take shape in the complete series of the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries, and they put us in living communion with Jesus through – we might say – the heart of his Mother. ... Our personal concerns and those of our neighbor, especially those who are closest to us, who are dearest to us. Thus the simple prayer of the rosary marks the rhythm of human life," he added.

The purpose of the rosary is to help keep in memory certain principal events in the history of salvation, and to thank and praise God for them.

The 20 mysteries of the rosary are divided into the five Joyful Mysteries, the five luminous Mysteries, the five sorrowful Mysteries, and the five Glorious Mysteries.

One intention frequently associated with the rosary is care of children and the unborn, especially in October, which is Respect Life Month.

Women who are facing difficulties keeping their babies in Utah have different options to help them. One of these options is the Newborn Safe Haven, or "baby drop-off" law, which allows a birth mother or any other person to turn over a newborn to a staff member at a Utah hospital offering 24-hour services.

This law ensures that no questions are asked of the person giving up the baby, but medical information can be provided. The law is meant to protect infants by providing them with a safe place.

For more information about the Utah Safe Heaven visit www.safeheaven.org or call 1-866-458-0058.