Third annual event highlights power of prayer, unity among nations and peoples, organizers say

DETROIT — Hundreds of Catholics gathered on both sides of the Detroit River on Sunday, Oct. 11, for the third annual “Rosary Coast to Coast,” a nationwide effort to pray the rosary for peace and the healing of divisions.

The twin prayer gatherings took place at Old St. Mary’s Church in Detroit’s Greektown district and at the Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens in Windsor, Ontario. 

In Greektown, Catholics participated in Eucharistic benediction inside the church before processing through the streets with the monstrance, along with banners, flags and a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

Dozens of similar events took place across North America, even as the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, said Fr. Stephen Pullis, director of evangelization and missionary discipleship for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

“As people continue to suffer from this virus and associated isolation and fear, gathering safely for the Rosary Coast to Coast is a wonderful way to proclaim to our community that God is essential, prayer is essential, and Mary’s intercession for our world is essential,” Fr. Pullis said. 

Catholics in Windsor and Detroit exchanged national flags in a symbol of unity between the two nations. 

“We’re blessed to live on a peaceful border between our two countries and to share such a strong friendship between our nations,” said John Azzopardi, organizer of the Windsor event. “Each year, this event prompts us to count our blessings and pray for continued peace together with our neighbors on our border — and for the embrace of peace throughout the world.”

See photos from the event below.

All photos by Detroit Catholic photographer Valaurian Waller.