On February 16, at the invitation of Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and with the collaboration of Holy Cross Family Ministries, the Holy Cross Family throughout the world gathered to pray the Rosary of the Seven Dolores for peace.

The Rosary of the Seven Dolors began in Rome at 4 pm local time (UTC+1), with a personal message and prayer from Br. Bednarczyk. After the opening prayer, the meditations and prayers on the traditional Seven Dolors or Sorrows of Mary were led by Holy Cross ministry centers in 18 countries on five different continents.

These ministry centers were joined by many other individuals, families, as well as groups, communities, parishes, and schools, who gathered to pray together, bringing the number of participants praying around the world well into the tens of thousands.

Watch the Global Rosary for Peace

"The Global Rosary was very personal for me, and I was so moved by the vast participation we received from so many of our Holy Cross religious, colleagues, and friends from around the world,” said Br. Bednarczyk. “Deep in my heart, I truly believe that the prayer and solidarity we shared during those sacred moments of the Rosary, as brief as it may have been, in a small way made the world a better place that day. Blessed be God!"

Holy Cross Family Ministries was founded by the Venerable Patrick Peyton, a Holy Cross priest who dedicated his life to promoting family prayer, especially of the Rosary. He was confident that family prayer would lead to peace in the home, and peace in homes would lead to peace in the world. His messages, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together” and “A World at Prayer is a World at Peace” are still recognized around the world because they resonate with all people and cultures.

“As a religious family, we will continue to seek ways to unite people in and through prayer, so that there may be peace and justice in our world,” said Br. Bednarczyk.

The full Rosary, including the meditations, prayers, and songs, is still available for prayer and for viewing on the YouTube page of the Holy Cross Generalate. The booklets to pray along with the Rosary are available on HCFM's website, along with other related and helpful resources.