International event gathers Catholics worldwide to pray for protection of all nations

DETROIT — Turning to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the spiritual protection of both nations, Catholics gathered en masse Oct. 13 along the Detroit Riverfront on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the border for an international rosary. 

More than 500 Catholics, including clergy, laity and religious from local churches, participated in the second annual Rosary Coast to Coast, a series of prayer rallies taking place simultaneously across North America and in 50 countries worldwide. 

As Catholics on both sides of the international border stood facing one another from across the river, they recited the rosary and sang patriotic songs, waving large U.S. and Canadian flags on a windy Sunday afternoon.

Detroit Catholic video produced by Joe Pelletier, photos by Valaurian Waller.